Oceanology International is Back

This time two years ago, many of us were half packed; with airline tickets issued, online registrations confirmed, and booth displays in full production, it was time to congregate and discuss a new decade of ocean technology. We all know what happened next.

The ocean tech industry was quick to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions and, overall, has fared remarkably well. The collective response in the face of the storm has been calm, clear and undeterred: adjust course with caution, but press on. For the conference industry, however, the last 24 months have been particularly rough.

VIRTUAL REALITY

Event organizers had little choice but to pull the plug on in-person events and dive into the virtual realm. After the initial pandemic paralysis and obligatory crash course in Zoom etiquette, we were soon reminded of just how important the open and collaborative exchange of information, ideas, and insights is to our professional ecosystem. Something was missing, though.

Fast forward to March 2022, and many of us are poised to rediscover that missing ingredient at Oceanology International (Oi) from March 15 –17 in London, UK. Oi was one of the first major international conferences to be sidelined in early 2020 but is now firmly back on the calendar of in-person events.

Connecting The Global Ocean Technology Community is the rally cry for representatives from the international commercial, scientific, and government markets, and while Reed Exhibitions will also stage a virtual edition of the conference—Oi Connect—organizers are expecting a resurgent in-person turnout at the 100-acre ExCel London venue.

Speaking exclusively to ON&T, Oi Exhibition Director David Ince said: “While business has continued throughout the pandemic for many of the core ocean industries we represent, there’s now the expectation of getting back to the high-impact face-to-face interactions, networking and knowledge sharing that Oi is known for. It’s the physical products and solutions on show, that makes Oi what it is, and is what the industry has been waiting for. We look forward to welcoming ON&T readers and Oceanology International community in March.”

So, what can visitors to Oi 2022 expect? A lot.

AN OCEAN OF OPPORTUNITY

The three-day conference is stacked with opportunities to reconnect, network, and sample the latest in applied technology and thought leadership. From the expansive exhibition floor—replete with over 400 companies from more than 30 countries—to the popular dockside demonstrations, there is no better place in our trade to experience innovation in action.

Interoperable systems for marine data acquisition, transfer, storage, and analysis will be the hot topic in the Ocean ICT zone, a space dedicated to serve the growing demand and interest in the cutting-edge ocean IT, communications, satellite, and data solutions. This year’s Ocean ICT will feature 30 companies that specialize in this area.

The technical conference will unite an exclusive rollcall of subject matter experts and thought leaders from around the world to consider the ocean sector’s most dominant trends and pressing challenges, from sensor technology and data security systems to autonomous vehicles and low carbon initiatives, and everything in-between.

Each day of the program also features the Future Tech Hub, which will hand the stage to 18 start-ups and small businesses and invite them to make daily ‘pitches’ to promote solutions and services never shown before at Oceanology International.

As if that weren’t enough, there’s the lineup of live demonstrations on Royal Victoria Dock. Whether from aboard a survey vessel—this year’s roster includes the SV Thame and the Ocean Surveyor—or from a dockside cabin—from where Teledyne Marine, Ocean Alpha, Blueye Robotics, Maritime Robotics, Fugro, and L3Harris will all be presenting—visitors can get up close and personal with the latest in marine robotics and interact with technical experts.

The bags are fully packed, and ON&T looks forward to seeing friends old and new in London.

This story was originally featured in ON&T Magazine's February 2022 issue. Click here to read more.