18/12/2025
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๐ฎ๐ด๐ผ๐ป ๐น๐ฎ๐๐ป๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ณ๐ผ๐น๐ถ๐ผ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ
Thousands of ocean professionals will unite over three days at Oceanology International 2026 (Oi26) conference and exhibition at Excel London from 10th to 12th March.
Oceanology International, the forum for ocean science, engineering and technology, returns with a new impetus for the next inspirational event in its 57-year history in March 2026.
Demonstrating its ability to evolve and expand to tackle the sectorโs most pressing technical, environmental and operational challenges, Oi26 promises to deliver an unparalleled global platform for the innovative technology, breakthrough solutions and thought leadership which are shaping the future ocean economy.
Exploration, environmental monitoring, sustainable marine engineering and the ocean enterprise are among the key themes set to dominate during the three-day exhibition and conference programme.
A new COAST exhibition focus and conference track has been launched to further enhance the traditionally diverse Oi event in response to the critical challenges facing our coasts in the face of storms, flooding, erosion and rising sea levels.
Opening the door for leading companies in the coastal and shallow waters field to join the global gathering, the fresh emphasis on the sector will highlight developments in coastal protection, erosion control, sediment transport analysis, shoreline stabilisation, and climate adaptation that support sustainable coastal development and ecosystem protection.
*Exhibitors Unveil Latest Innovations
The spotlight will be on new launches on the 20,000m2 exhibitor floor and demonstrations at the live in-water dockside location on the Royal Victoria Dock, with hundreds of exhibitors preparing to introduce products and showcase developments across the fast-paced ocean technology, science and engineering sectors.
With every continent in the world represented, Oiโs international profile is as strong as ever. The show floor is expected to host more than 450 exhibitors, international pavilions, SMEs, start-ups, accelerators and innovation clusters.
Leading exhibitors returning for 2026 include Fugro, who are also a sponsor of the Ocean Futures stage, Teledyne Marine, Saab Seaeye, Kongsberg Discovery, General Oceans and many more, while over 100 first-time exhibitors will also be on show, including specialist geospatial service provider Ocean Ledger, which will be making its debut in the COAST exhibition zone.
Robert Hoddenbach, Global Director for Climate and Nature, Fugro, said: โOceanology International is one of the main events for the industry. Fugro has been mapping, modelling and monitoring the oceans for the last 70 years, and this is one of the premier locations to showcase our solutions and our vast expertise in technology. Itโs also a way to engage with the market that is quickly changing. Furthermore, it's a way for us to showcase our new technologies, like our satellite derived bathymetry, our RAMMS Airborne LiDAR Bathymetry, but also our USVs.โ
*Pioneering Insight at Oi Conference
The full Oi conference programme features a compelling line-up of industry-leading speakers taking to the Ocean Futures Theatre stage and other locations, promising to spark insightful discussion which defines the future of ocean technology and drives real-world change across global marine and offshore sectors.
There will be deep dives into a range of technical topics including: Uncrewed Vehicles & Vessels, in partnership with official media supporter Ocean Robotics Planet; Hydrography, Geophysics, & Geotechnics; Site Investigation; Ocean Observation; Navigation & Positioning; Maritime Domain Awareness; Offshore Energy; Marine Data, Analytics, & AI; Underwater Communication & Navigation; Ocean Exploration.
Among the key contributors to the 2026 conference program is Costas Kadis, European Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries, EU Commission, who will give a keynote speech on โThe Future of the Blue Economyโ in the Ocean Futures Theatre.
Claire Jolly, Lead of the Ocean Economy programme at OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development), will give the opening keynote for a plenary session to explore the scale and scope of the Ocean Economy and the likely trajectory of its future development.
She said: โOi is a special hub where you meet many different stakeholders from industries, academia, public sector, and where innovation is really a keyword. The conference is a perfect place where the OECDโs work on the ocean economy foresight will be of interest. I think this audience will particularly appreciate some of our findings.โ
In the Coast Theatre, Dr Jon Rees, Principal Oceanographer, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), will give a keynote focusing on โThe Future of Coastal Marine Conservation and Restorationโ; Caroline Douglass, Executive Director, Flood and Coastal Risk Management, Environment Agency, will address the current challenges in coastal resilience and flood defence; and Mick Cook, SUT UXO Special Interest Group, will present Guidance Notes for Risk Identification and Common Mitigations related to Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) for Offshore Renewable Energy Developments. Andy Hill, Marine Geohazards Technical Authority, Safety and Operational Risk Division, BP, is another of the top speakers lined up at Oi26.
*How Oi Answers Todayโs Pressing Challenges
Solutions from AI, robotics and autonomous systems, to GIS, cloud analytics and integrated platforms, to monitoring, resilience and compliance technology, will enable engineers, scientists, operators, surveyors and geotechnical professionals to discover and assess next-generation marine technology, while learning more about how the latest ocean innovations can advance sustainable practices, cut costs, improve safety and lower risk.
David Ince, Oi Event Director, said: โOi26 is positioned to deliver real impact โ not only through the show floor product launches and a wide ranging conference programme, but also through networking and Ocean Social events, technology workshops and training, and the unique Future Tech Hub for start-ups and tech-accelerators.
โThere are several significant themes which will come to the fore in response to the strategic challenges facing the industry and the demand for solutions.
โThe new COAST focus will raise the profile of key topics, including climate resilience and coast protection. With coastal zones under increasing threat, Oi26 will show case innovative technologies that strengthen coastal resilience and adaptive infrastructure. Real-time data and predictive modelling are vital for coastal planning and disaster response, so Oi will also offer the chance to explore integrated monitoring platforms and early warning systems that improve decision-making. The balance between economic activity and environmental protection is a coastal imperative which will also be addressed by the sharing of ocean technologies which support sustainable tourism, aquaculture and coast livelihoods.
โUpskilling the workforce is always an important aspect at Oi, with access to live demos, workshops, and peer learning enabling ocean professionals to evaluate and adopt AI, robotics and autonomous systems, and other new technologies.
โSurveyors and geotechnical professionals will see solutions in GIS, cloud analytics and integrated platforms, understanding more about the power of the latest generation of scalable, interoperable data tools that can transform rapidly growing volumes of subsea data into strategic insight.
โWith rising pressures to meet environmental mandates, Oi also highlights innovations in monitoring, resilience and compliance technology which advance sustainable ocean practices. Meanwhile, remote and autonomous technologies are showcased as key tools for efficiency and safety โ especially in hydrography and deep-sea operations.
โOi tackles the ocean sectorโs talent shortage through hands-on training, technical briefings, and collaborating with global experts, while networking events and international partnerships support cross-border collaboration and commercial growth.โ
Networking sits at the core of Oceanology International, with opportunities specifically designed to connect exhibitors with the right people. In partnership with UKRI Edge, Oi delivers free, brokered meetings that facilitate real opportunities capable of advancing critical projects. These complimentary meetings take place directly on the show floor.
Ocean professionals and stakeholders, spanning industry, government and academia, from engineers, hydrographers and geotechnics to energy professionals, oceanographers, site investigators, marine surveyors and many more will unite across a wide range of sectors, including offshore renewables, oil & gas, ocean observation, defence, maritime security, marine science, ports, aquaculture and subsea.
With a commitment to connect the global ocean and coastal community, Oi26 takes place from 10th to 12th March 2026 at Excel London.
