Oceanology International 2024: Where Missions are Made Possible
Tuesday, 5th December 2023
Oceanology International 2024: Where Missions are Made Possible
- Organisers reveal details of a full-featured Oi24 exhibition and conference agenda which shines a light on the next wave of ocean innovation and technology with a focus on a sustainable blue economy
- The global ocean technology community will unite at Oceanology International 2024 (Oi24), ExCeL London, from 12th to 14th March 2024
With innovation, progress and discovery at its heart, Oceanology International 2024 (Oi24) is preparing to welcome the world’s largest gathering of ocean professionals to the most powerful and inspirational event in its history next March at London’s ExCeL.
The three-day marine science, and ocean technology exhibition and conference once again promises to deliver an unparalleled global marketplace, packed event schedule and targeted network opportunities for all those involved in exploring, protecting and sustainably operating in the world’s oceans and waterways.
As the industry’s foremost event, the 2024 edition of Oceanology International and its co-located event OceanICT Powered by ON&T will provide a platform ‘where missions are made possible’, according to the event organisers RX Global. It will feature an even stronger emphasis on future technology and transformational solutions, with a focus on a sustainable blue economy.
The spotlight will be on new launches on the exhibitor floor and demonstrations at the live in-water dockside location, with hundreds of exhibitors preparing to introduce products and showcase developments across the fast-paced ocean technology, science and engineering sectors.
Featuring a compelling line-up of industry-leading speakers, the full strategic Oi Conference Program will encompass a diverse range of Technical Sessions and Ocean Futures-focused content across five different conference locations. World-class scientists thought leaders and innovators in the vanguard of the global ocean tech community will bring insightful and original content.
Among the key contributors to the conference program are Rick Spinrad, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Administrator, who is the keynote speaker at the opening plenary of the Ocean Futures Theatre, where thought leaders will discuss meeting future ocean technology needs. Sir David King, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, will speak at the Catch the Next Wave conference – returning for 2024 on the final day with a special edition focusing on the climate and biodiversity crisis.
David Ince, Oceanology International Portfolio Director, said: “At this pivotal and exciting time for the ocean technology industry, our focus is to provide an event where missions are made possible. Demand for new solutions in the blue tech and energy transition markets is exploding, so we are looking forward to delivering an inspirational Oi event in London with the power to propel the direction, progress and impact of the sector. The influence of Oceanology International is built on the scale, breadth, history and reputation of our event and I am confident that, once again, Oi will be a catalyst for ideas and innovation, with unprecedented access to comprehensive solutions, diverse content and expertise.
“As always, Oi24 provides the one occasion and one location where thousands of ocean professionals, international buyers and end users, suppliers and manufacturers can gather to do business face-to-face. For anyone looking for new solutions for their business or projects, Oi is the place to discover cutting-edge technology to ultimately drive revenues. We are committed to work hard to introduce new event services, partnerships, and collaborations to enhance the experience for all participants and to deliver another packed three days of exhibition and conference activity, features, workshops and one-to-one meetings.”
Discover, Connect and Learn
Following its landmark return to the calendar in 2022 after a four-year hiatus due to Covid, Oi24 is perfectly placed to answer the pent-up demand for face-to-face interaction, business, networking and socialising. The event is expected to bring 7,500+ attendees and 450+ exhibitors from 80+ countries, with 100+ companies set to conduct product or service launch activity.
Oceanology International is the one occasion connecting all global stakeholder groups in oceanology across blue-tech, energy and offshore sectors, delivering the sector’s key forum and networking opportunity. Thousands of oceanology stakeholders, spanning industry, government and academia, from engineers, hydrographers and geotechnics to energy professionals, oceanographers, site investigators, marine surveyors and many more, will come together across a wide range of sectors, including offshore oil & gas, renewables, defence, maritime security, marine science, ports, aquaculture and subsea.
Oi’s focus in 2024 will reflect the global challenges confronting the industry and influencing the trajectory of technology development across numerous ocean-based sectors. Key themes such energy transition, climate change and ocean health, offshore energy, geotechnics, hydrography and ocean science, improved sustainability in offshore operations and the development of ocean-tech investment and finance opportunities, plus new applications of autonomous systems and AI, and ocean connectivity will feature throughout the exhibition and the varied conference agenda. Visitors will discover the latest technology and innovations in acoustics, autonomous and unmanned vessels, bathymetry, cameras, robotics, navigation and more.
Some of the leading visiting companies for 2024 include Teledyne Marine, Saildrone, Saab Seaeye, Kongsberg Maritime, Exail and many more. The show floor will also accommodate many first-time exhibitors, such as: UWare Robotics, a deep tech startup specializing in data-driven engineering solutions for coastal environments, who will also participate in the Future Tech Hub; Fizoptika Malta, a manufacturer of the smallest fiber optic gyroscopes (FOGs) and FOG-based inertial measurement units (IMUs); and, at OceanICT, CSignum, the only wireless communications provider that enables transmission of data through the water-air boundary, water column, seabed and subsea structures using HydroFi technology.
Engaging with information and communication technology experts, the OceanICT area is set to expand further in 2024, showcasing companies such as Moga Software, introducing concepts like true high-resolution mosaicking, flexible interpretation workflows and interactive mosaic editing with its SeaView solutions, and Seafloor Systems, providing total solutions for the hydrographic survey industry.
The industry’s most influential associations returning to the show to support their members and hold their own events, include the SUT (Society of Underwater Technology); MTS (Marine Technology Society); Hydrographic Society UK & Ireland; and Society of Marine Industries. The international profile is underscored at Oi24, with 10+ International and Regional Pavilions, promoting more than 100+ SME’s, start-ups, accelerators and innovation clusters. The Canada Pavilion will have strong representation with a 75-person strong delegation and 24 companies, with Rhode Island, Business France and the Dutch Pavilion also returning.
As part of continued efforts to enhance the event experience for all participants, Oi24 organizers are introducing new event services and partnerships in 2024, with scheduled launches powered by Official Launch Partner Geo-Matching, plus promotion, PR and demonstration activities. The new collaboration with strategic marketing platform Geo-matching will help to deliver integrated worldwide promotion for the trailblazers introducing today’s game-changing technologies. Amongst the other services on offer are b2match, which will facilitate easy networking opportunities with brokered meetings.
Oi24 Events and Features
Oceanology International is able to capitalize on the advantages of ExCeL’s expansive 18,000m2 of indoor exhibition space to stage a number of unique features and events, with the Royal Victoria Dock enabling live outdoor, on-water demonstrations. Features at Oi24 include:
The show floor is expected to host 450+ exhibitors from 80+ countries, with 10+ International and Regional Pavilions. With exhibitor product development and R&D cycles aligned with Oi’s return to London every two years, more than 100 companies are expected to conduct product or service launch activity.
Returning event stalwarts will join first-time exhibitors to take advantage of the international ocean technology community’s main marketplace and influence the direction of over 15+ key vertical industries including offshore oil & gas, ports & harbours, marine renewables, maritime security and marine science. They will meet buyers, network, conduct demonstrations and raise awareness of their brand over all three days.
Oi is renowned as a platform for exclusive launches. Exhibitors introducing new solutions at Oi24 include: Cathx Ocean, combining sensor data, machine vision and machine learning based automation to deliver information real-time to facilitate earlier decision-making with its brand CLARITY; Deepinfar Ocean Technology, a high-tech enterprise specializing in the research and development, manufacturing and sales of a full range of underwater robots and related underwater core components; MacArtney Underwater Technology Group, offering connectivity, data acquisition, and launch & recovery systems for marine and offshore, ocean science, and naval industries; Neptune Sonar, an underwater transducer technology specialist introducing Zeus Piezoceramics, a new ceramic manufacturing venture providing PZT components; QYSEA Technology, a high-tech enterprise focused on the R&D, production, and sales of underwater robotics, which will be showcasing the FIFISH ROVs in a large water tank.
Some of the exhibitors explain why they attend Oceanology International, as follows:
Helle Auken, Global Marketing Manager at Teledyne Marine, said: “Oi is one of the most important oceanology shows for Teledyne Marine to exhibit at. Our first and foremost outcome is to showcase our products, solutions and technologies to the industry and interact with our customers and meet new customers to do business with. I think that Oi, together with the leading companies in the marine industry, can help with putting focus on the energy transition and influence the discussion that we will have.”
Cody Warner, Director of Sales and Marketing, Deep Trekker, said: ”The power and the size of Oi is the largest. As far as we’re aware, from a first-hand experience, from going to Oi for the past decade now – it’s the largest place for all professionals to meet. It’s a great opportunity to meet not just customers but other suppliers as well, as there are only so many times in the year that you get to collaborate with other professionals in the ocean industry.”
Anthony Hammond, Marketing Manager, Sonardyne International, said: “Probably one of the key reasons Oceanology International stands out is that is has one of the biggest attendee profiles that I know of for a show that is specifically of interest to the ocean community. We span a lot of areas across the ocean and Oceanology hits a lot of the areas, whether it’s energy, science or defence. Obviously, the quality of leads we get at the show, and the quantity, has always been very impressive in the past as well.”
Henning Langlete, Director Marketing and Communications, Kongsberg Discovery AS, said: “For Kongsberg Discovery, Oceanology International is one of the most important exhibitions. We expect a lot of visitors and it’s the arena where we actually want to launch new products and get attention in the market. At Oceanology International, we see a huge technology base which is very important for the transitioning to sustainable energy and similar.”
Freda Zifteh, VP of Marketing, General Oceans, said: “The size and the scale of Oceanology allows you to do more – to have those big meetings. Having that reputation for new product launches, people don’t want to miss it. It’s quite a who’s who of underwater technology. We are looking to meet with potential collaborators, to meet new talent and to meet each other!”
Bridget Archibald, Invest Nova Scotia, said: “Canada has one of the longest coastlines in the world, so we border three oceans. We are truly an ocean country. Canada is building an international reputation in ocean technology and our companies are developing hundreds of new made-in-Canada products, services and processes. The Canada Pavilion at Oi is going to be large.”
“When we survey our companies, when we ask them where they want to be, Oceanology International is the number one event that they all want to be at,” added Cathy Williams, The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “As the name implies, the world is coming to Oceanology International and we want to bring Canada to meet the world at Oceanology International in London.”
The Future Tech Hub will highlight the start-up and tech-accelerators who are building transformative new technological eco systems. Participating exhibitors include: Abyssens, an engineering office specialising in underwater acoustics; ANB Sensors, developers of revolutionary, calibration free pH sensors for ocean monitoring; C-Kore Systems, simplifying subsea testing with its new Optical TDR unit; Ictineu Submarins, designers of new generation submersibles; Robosys Automation, provider of AI powered maritime autonomy and smart shipping software; Tidewise, developer of robotic systems; and uWare Robotics.
Rob Smets, Head of Business Development at uWare Robotics, said: “There is no better place to be if you work around underwater robotics. So when were contacted by Oi to be part of future technology, we didn’t have to think about it. It fits our roadmap perfectly. Next year will really be about production and increasing our sales network. Oi is just the perfect place to be for us.”
On the Royal Victoria Dock, the Dockside Demos feature gives visitors the opportunity to experience different vehicle, imaging, sonar and instrumentation technologies live and outdoors, in- and on- the water. Viewing platforms and micro theatres enable close scrutiny of the technology, while the operators are on hand to provide more information.
On the dockside, attendees can join brands such as Teledyne Marine, Blueye Robotics, Ocean Power Technology and Maritime Robotics and see live demos of data steaming in from vehicles and vessels in the water.
A co-located event within the main exhibition hall, OceanICT Powered by ON&T will engage with information and communication technology (ICT) experts and discover how recent breakthroughs are facilitating a smarter, more sustainable ocean through greater connectivity. It will connect AI, communications, satellite, IT and IOT solutions providers with key ocean- and water-based end user sectors from around the world.
Grant Day, European Space Agency, said: “As an exhibitor at OceanICT, my primary objective with ESA Space Solutions is to speak to as many companies as possible who are looking to do innovative things with R&D in marine space, particularly any solutions which involve satellites, so things like communication, navigation, earth observation or space weather. ESA Space Solutions offers a great deal of support more than just the funding and OceanICT is an interesting space where companies are likely to be doing things which we are keen to speak to them about and help with the development process.”
Sergio Monteleone, Director, Moga Software, said: “Oceanology International is a chance for us to connect with our partners and customers from all over the world. Moga Software is based in Italy but we have customers based in more than 50 different countries, so to be able to meet face to face with all of them is a good opportunity for us. We are preparing for a very busy show. This market is gaining more and more momentum. It’s still somewhat of a niche market, but new players and stakeholders are joining, and this will continue for quite a while, so at Oceanology International we have a chance to witness all of that, as for three days the whole industry is gathering in one place.”
Matt Grove, Regional Segment Manager, Environment, Seequent, said: “We are looking forward to Oceanology International 2024 for many reasons. It provides an excellent opportunity to expand our network, fostering valuable connections within the marine and ocean industry. Also, this is the perfect event to support existing customers and meet new ones in this space. Additionally, the event offers insightful technical discussions, knowledge acquisition from industry experts, and collaborative brainstorming with sector leaders to support our planning for the years ahead.”
The Oi24 Conference Program features three days of Technical Sessions and Ocean Futures-focused content across five different conference locations features topics including: Uncrewed Vehicles and Vessels; Ocean Observation and Measurement; Site Investigation; Data Interpretation, AI and Ocean ICT; Navigation and Positioning; Offshore Renewable Energy; Asset Integrity and Monitoring; Bathymetry. There are also a number of associated events which will encompass a range of keynote speeches, workshops and presentations from attending societies and companies.
Dan Hook, Oi24 committee member and CEO at RAD, said: “Oi has always been a solid date in the calendar for getting updates on information, meeting customers, meeting potential suppliers, hearing what’s happening in the industry – you learn a lot, whether you are there for one day or the whole event. As a new committee member, I will get a lot of benefit from Oi. I get to hear about the latest innovations, the latest companies, the latest user cases, the latest pieces of technology and success stories coming to the industry.”
The prominent keynote Ocean Futures Theatre within Oi brings together thought leaders from industry, academia and government to discuss meeting future ocean technology needs in line with market developments and new ocean enterprise strategies. With exclusive content delivered by leading academics, technicians, engineers, CEOs and scientists, it is packed with three days of world beating technical conference, featuring panel discussions and strategic debates on topics including Transitioning the Ocean Economy, Sustainable Offshore Operations, BlueTech Investment and Future Talent/Careers. Rick Spinrard, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere & NOAA Administrator, is confirmed as the keynote speaker at the opening plenary.
Returning in 2024 for its sixth edition, the Catch the Next Wave conference pairs speakers from within and outside of the ocean community, with the aim of sparking new thinking and ideas across disciplinary boundaries and between sectors. The special edition at Oi24 will focus on the climate and biodiversity crisis. It will take a futuristic look at how key areas of rapidly evolving technology might contribute to innovative solutions at the ocean-climate nexus, helping to achieve net zero and beyond, at the same time as supporting the restoration of the Earth’s essential biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The line-up of industry leading speakers includes: Sir David King, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, University of Cambridge; Brad Ack, Executive Director and Chief Innovation Officer, Ocean Visions; Benj Sykes, Vice President, Head of Environment, Consenting and External Affairs, Ørsted; Jyotika Virmani, Executive Director, Schmidt Ocean Institute; and Professor Mike Wooldridge, Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford. The topics under discussion include: The Energy Transition; Climate Repair; Protecting the Earth’s Living Systems; Innovating the Ocean Economy of the Future.
Carlos Fernandes, Oceanology International Conference Manager, said: “We are very excited to reveal plans for what we believe is an inspirational and innovative conference programme for Oi24. As usual, the aim is to deliver fresh ideas and to welcome as many people as possible to join the conversation during the three days. Adding to the line-up of 5-star technical sessions, we are particularly pleased to reintroduce the Catch the Next Wave conference for a special sixth edition. Across all the content, we want to remain detail orientated, to take a deep look into case studies and reflect real world situations, helping us understand how to achieve our missions and make a difference.”
CTNW speaker and conference committee member Jyotika Virmani, said: “I have been part of Catch the Next Wave for many years and what I find fascinating and wonderful about Catch the Next Wave is that it is the only conference which pairs together what is happening in marine technology with the equivalent of what is happening outside marine technology. You really get to see what is going on in other fields like medicine, material science and start to think about how they can interact and what we can pull into the marine field.”
In addition to the Oi Conference Program, a broad range of companies, societies and association are set to hold their own forums, AGMs, events and presentations during the three days.
These include several events organized by the Society of Underwater Technology (SUT), including workshops, a career day and sessions focusing on women and diversity, while The Hydrographic Society (THS:UKI) will hold its AGM.
There will also be a European Observation Systems Technology Innovation forum, and, for the first time, Oi is hosting workshops and panels looking at the lifecycle of an offshore wind project and how different technologies, such as autonomy, will become more sustainable.
Claire Idell, Director of Member Engagement, Marine Technology Society, said: “As a membership organisation, MTS’s role is to be a convener for those who are making waves in the marine technology industry. Oi is a prime example of the convening of the great minds in the industry and the value of connectivity, and of getting together in person.
“For us, Oi is unique in a few different ways. First of all, the sheer scale of it, the number of people there and the number of technologies there means you are going to see a wide array of those applications of technology and a wide array of company missions there on the premises. Secondly, the global audience. You have people from all across the world consistently attending Oi and that’s really vitally important for us as a global organisation as well. Finally, simply the innovation that is there on site because a lot of the companies actually bring their technologies to display in person, it’s a really unprecedented opportunity to see some of those technologies in action and to hear those experts talk to you and empower you about how those technologies work.”
Becky Conway, Chief Executive, The Hydrographic Society UK & Ireland (THS:UKI), said: “We find that attending Oceanology International is a great chance to meet in person with our membership body, be it individual or corporate members, as well as speaking to new, potential members who possibly haven’t heard of the society before and sharing what the society is about and the benefits of being a part of it.
“Oceanology International is a really important global event because it brings together the hydrographic and wider communities and showcases latest technological developments and gives a good insight into what’s going on, as well as creating a good forum for networking within the industry.”
Emma Johnson, Director of MST and MAS Groups, The Society of Maritime Industries (SMI), said: ”Oceanology International has a really strong overseas visitor and exhibitor section. A lot of other events might be UK-focused, but Oi is an international show and has a wide range of international visitors, which is great. The event brings together a wide variety of professionals, including scientists, engineers, academics, and policymakers, which makes it a great place to network and cooperate.”
Cheryl Burgess, Chief Executive, the Society for Underwater Technology, said: “I have been going to Oceanology International for a very long time and I think the factors that bring me back and that differentiate it is the international community that it attracts. The benefits that SUT members derive from Oi is the ability to learn and experience in person both with the exhibitors as well as the technical conference and the associated events. For those that exhibit, it is not just an opportunity to show off what they are doing but they can demonstrate their unique products and services in a very wide and well-known marketplace. For those that are able to present in the technical conference, they are contributing to the knowledge in our established network and peer groups, but also to the widest number of people within subsea, underwater, marine and the ocean community.”
The Oceanology International exhibition and conference takes place over three days from 12th to 14th March at London’s ExCeL. Visitors can register for Oi24 here.
To stay updated on Oceanology International 2024, please visit the Oi24 website.
For further information, please contact:
Mike Enser, Marketing Manager Karen Bartlett
Oceanology International Saltwater Stone
Tel: +44 (0)20 8439 5226 Tel: +44 (0)1202 669244
michael.enser@rxglobal.com k.bartlett@saltwater-stone.com
