NOC to Host UK Marine Technology Show

The UK’s National Oceanography Centre is to host a new marine autonomy and technology showcase from 14-18 November 2016 at the NOC´s waterfront. The week-long programme of workshops, talks, demonstrations and networking builds on the success of the 2015 Marine Autonomy Showcase, the launch of the Marine Robotics Innovation Centre which plays an important role in the event. The event is in response to the growing desire of UK marine technology businesses to engage with the research base for the further development of marine autonomous systems.

In 2015 the NOC in Southampton welcomed over 20,000 visitors in total, with over 500 attending an event in February 2015 showcasing the NOC’s work with industry.

Kevin Forshaw, NOC’s associate director, Innovation and Enterprise commented to be engaged with in excess of GBP10m of R&D collaborative projects with industry partners, and this showcase is both a celebration of those partnerships and a catalyst for more collaboration within the region.

Marine Autonomy is a transformative technology that is generating much interest from industry sectors including Oil & Gas, Offshore Renewables and Defence, and the inaugural Marine Autonomy and Technology Showcase is being established in response to this interest.  Much of the newly opened Marine Robotics Innovation Centre will be used for the event, along with the NOC’s supporting conference facilities. In addition to attending the programme of seminars and workshops covering all aspects of marine technology development and regulation, businesses also have the opportunity to sponsor different aspects of the showcase.

NOC events coordinator, Ian Folger added there will be lots of networking opportunities available to delegates. For the first time the NOC is offering more traditional sponsorship opportunities. By building in a sponsorship element we have been able to keep this a free event enabling marine businesses of all sizes the opportunity to attend and be involved. The organisers have arranged some deals on accommodation in the city. They hope businesses will find the packages to give them additional value from attending the event.