Oi24 outpaced all expectations, attracting a unique attendance of 7,536 people from over 90 countries, with many revisiting throughout the week for a total attendance of 13,915, an uplift of 39% on the previous edition, anchoring its position as a global facilitator of ocean connection.
“This phenomenal turnout solidifies Oceanology International as the ocean science and technology community’s premier event for the industry to showcase international collaboration and innovation, and shape the future of our oceans,” said Show Director David Ince. “From a global perspective, over 90 countries were represented, and the excitement, energy and collaboration of all involved was unmistakable.
“It’s also evident that exhibitors have looked to plan their strategies around Oi24 and decided it is the best time to unveil their latest developments, partnerships and technological advancements. The show floor played host to over 110 product and service launches, and a significant number of exclusive announcements.”
The headline statistics include:
- Exhibiting Companies: 443 from 31 countries
- Regional and International Pavilions: 8
- Overall Footprint / Floor space: 19,000 square meters
- Unique Attendees: 7,536 from 91 countries
- Total Attendance: 13,915, +39% up on previous edition
- Conference Speakers: 166 speaking in the Ocean Futures Theatre, Technical, ICT, Workshop and Catch the Next Wave programs
- Dockside Demonstrations: 175+
- Product & Service Launches: 110
The organisers of Oi24 launched a number of new initiatives at the show, including a Skills and Careers Trail, an Official Launch Partner, the Oi App, a media partner for the OceanICT Zone and a commercial Video Partner.
Mike Enser, Marketing Manager, commented: “We’ve always worked with media partners, but this year we wanted to up the ante and offer ‘ownership’ of parts of the show. This helped us highlight areas of the show, plus it offered us and the partners new content and the exhibitors they supported a greater share of voice. We also successfully launched the Oi App this year following feedback from the 2022 edition.”
Exhibitor feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with Ryan Lumsden, Business Development Manager, SAAB, commenting: “Oi24 has been an absolute joy. The quality of visitors has been higher. Some of the other, larger shows can be very diverse. Oi is on a reasonable scale, but it’s all very relevant. We have managed to catch up with a lot of our existing clients and meet a few new ones as well, so it has been very positive from our perspective.”
Rob Howard, Chief Growth Officer, Greensea IQ, said: “Oi provided Greensea IQ an excellent venue to showcase both the full line of Bayonet AUGVs and the groundbreaking in-water ship maintenance service EverClean. We look forward to continuing the discussions from this week with the hundreds of diverse visitors to our stand looking for solutions only our dual use technology can currently provide.”
Rosa M Ceberio, Commercial Manager, iMPAQ, said: “It is the first time we have exhibited at Oceanology International, and it has been amazing. Oi attracts a lot more of the international community which is really great to see. It is also a lot bigger, with everyone under one roof. We’ve made a lot of contacts here and would definitely like to return in 2026. We’ve launched the brand, our corporate identity, to the world. Oi has been the space to tell the world that we’re here.”
Henning Langlete, Director Marketing and Communications, Kongsberg Discovery AS, said: “There is a really positive energy about the show. The hall is packed with visitors, and we are meeting with a lot of satisfied customers who care about the products and innovations. The numbers have been better than expected.”
Ian Vincent, Director and General Manager, ecoSUB Robotics, said: “We are a UK-based company, so we have to be at Oi. Our customers expect to see us and we wouldn’t miss it. We have been catching up with people we are working with, meeting new people, sharing information. It feels a lot busier this year.”
Amy Gibson, Developer, Subnero, said: “This is our second time exhibiting and it has really exceeded our expectations. It has been constantly busy, even up until the last day. Oceanology International is one of the key shows for us.”
Dr Richard Williams, Managing Director, Osil, said: “Oi24 has been good, very positive. It is a good atmosphere and nice to see the Far East coming back.”
Dockside and Conference
With reasonably kind March weather, the dockside was busy from open until close each day, with a full program of demonstrations. Maritime Robotics ran different demonstrations across the show, using two autonomous USVs to showcase its capabilities as a supply platform for Teledyne, Norbit and Kongsberg.
Thomas Rygh, Product Manager, Maritime Robotics, said there had been “lots of interest with good attendance”.
Activity across the exhibition and conference agenda shone a light on the Blue Economy, with key themes including energy transition, climate change and sustainability – trends which were scrutinized at the successful Catch the Next Wave conference which returned for an impactful sixth edition on the final day.
Packed Theatres
Other successful show features included the keynote Ocean Futures Theatre, which attracted very high attendance numbers every day, featuring panel discussions and strategic debate running alongside the technical conferences, covering the most pressing, relevant topics of today.
Commenting on the many streams of content of offer, Oi Conference Manager Carlos Fernandes said: “Oceanology International 2024 delivered on all fronts! Across all our content locations, we’ve focused on a diverse range of topics including Careers & Future Talent, Site Investigation, UXO, Uncrewed Vehicles, Ocean Observation, the use of data across the entire Offshore Wind project lifecycle and loads more. We have offered a diverse range of content that has resonated with a wide audience. The success of our content this year is a testament to the ongoing support from our industry partners that help curate a program that suits the evolving needs and interests of the ocean technology, engineering and science communities we serve.”
Exhibitors Select Oi for Key Announcements
The high number of new developments unveiled at Oi24 included global subsea engineering and technology company SMD’s announcement about the sale of its first electric ROV to Luxembourg-based marine contractor, Jan De Nul Group. SMD’s Quantum EV will be integrated into Jan De Nul Group’s new cable laying vessel, Fleeming Jenkin, and deployed to offshore energy projects globally.
Speaking on the sale, SMD’s deputy CEO, Paul Davison, said: “We are delighted to have received the first order for our pioneering and powerful Quantum EV, the only vehicle of its kind currently market ready.”
International subsea specialist Sulmara used Oi24 to launch a new suite of services to reduce the risks clients face in subsea operations – and help them meet their net zero targets.
Saildrone also used Oi as a platform to unveil the first of a new generation of Surveyor-class unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), purpose-built for autonomous deep-water ocean mapping missions and maritime defence and security missions.
In a strategic move to strengthen its global market presence, Greensea IQ, a leading provider of marine robotics software and integrated solutions, chose Oi24 to announce the signing of BUVI Scandinavia (BUVI) to join its international sales team. The news follows another recent signing of the Spanish sales representative Uniformidad Y Suminstros De Proteccion (USP).
General Oceans, encompassing brands Nortek, Tritech International Ltd, Klein Marine Systems, Reach Robotics and Strategic Robotic Systems, launched the General Oceans Academy: a collection of professional programs designed to nurture the leaders of tomorrow.
General Oceans Marketing Manager Jon Gibbs said: “We have had lots of footfall and are very pleased with the size of the stand and the location. In the build up to the event, the social media activity around Oi really raised our engagement levels.”
Show Director David Ince added: “Once again, it was an immense privilege to bring together the global ocean science, technology, and engineering community here at Oi in London. With exceptional visitor numbers, all three days were high in energy and positivity, across the exhibition, the conferences, and the many networking events. It was particularly inspiring to see the sheer amount of new technology and innovation on show, alongside a diverse, international audience – proof that we are all working hard towards a common goal, to ensure a healthy, sustainable future for our oceans.
“We are already looking forward to Oi26 in two years’ time from 10th to 12th March, with a commitment to evolve and expand the event, to introduce new features and topics, while building on the decades of history that have made Oceanology International successful. We will continue to strive to bring together the best the industry has to offer across the sectors, strengthening the bridge connecting the ocean’s three pillars of industry, academia, and government, and looking towards the future with optimism.”
Oceanology International London returns in 2026 from 10th to 12th March. To stay updated, please visit the Oi website.
