Countdown to Oceanology International 2012

"Space has been booked and reserved by exhibitors from all over the world; the conference committee chairmen are in place for the key industry sectors: oil and gas, offshore renewable energy; and marine security and for the technology topics navigation and positioning, ocean observation, and survey; and a programme of associated events and features is rapidly taking shape," explains Exhibition Manager, James Coleman from Reed Exhibitions' Energy & Marine Group. "This year's exhibition will be larger than ever; and we have an exciting range of new pavilions highlighting some of the different aspects of Oceanology International whose exhibitors serve the interests of over a dozen different industry sectors."

These new pavilions include the RenewableUK pavilion highlighting exhibitors who have a particular focus on the offshore renewable sector; the Marine Security pavilion run partnership with SMI; the ADC UK Dive pavilion providing opportunities to companies involved in commercial diving with an information point, hosted by ADC, to help visitors quickly and easily identify suppliers; the MTS US pavilion, Oceanology International's first-ever US pavilion highlighting companies from the USA who have not previously participated in the biennial event; and the First Time Exhibitors pavilion.

"This last pavilion, surrounding the event bar, has been redeveloped to provide first-timers with a higher profile," explains James Coleman. "Of course both the RenewableUK and Marine Security pavilions not only allow long-established suppliers to exhibit, but those eager to break into the renewables or security sectors. We are delighted too to welcome back the Interspill exhibition and conference which will once again run alongside Oceanology International for the first time since 2006."

Interspill 2012 is organised by its Steering Committee, through Interspill Ltd., comprising hosts, UKSPILL, with SYCOPOL, NOSCA and EuroSpill from the European spill industry, together with IPIECA representing the global oil industry, and EMSA representing the European Community; and also supported by IMO, IOPC, CEDRE and ITOPF as in 2009, and in 2012 will also have support from the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency, with Oil Spill Response Ltd who have committed to long term sponsorship of the event. The scope of this group illustrates the support Interspill has gained from the industry and governmental and inter governmental sources, and its ambition to become a key international event for those concerned with oil and HNS spills.

Chris Morris, the new Chairman of the Interspill Steering Committee, explains: "The success of the event in 2006, when Interspill was first held in London, weighed heavily in its favour. The importance of achieving a high level of attendance at the conference was vital for success in 2012, and the Committee believe it will be achieved in London alongside Oceanology International.

Traditional aspects of Oceanology International such as the visiting vessels and demonstrations programme; and education day for graduates and under-graduates are in the planning stage and continue to play a vital role in the long-standing event.

The Oceanology International 2012 Call for Papers will be published at the end of September. Colin Grant, head of the Metocean Committee, OGP will chair the oil and gas committee; RenewableUK is developing the offshore renewables committee and plans; and Rob Balloch, strategic development and marketing director, Sonardyne, chairs the marine security committee. These sectors are key to the event - 35% of visitors to Oceanology International 2010 operated in the oil and gas sector; 19% in offshore renewables; and 31% in marine security.

The technical aspects of the conference are equally well looked after with Ed Danson, international sales and marketing manager at C-Nav and chairing the navigation and positioning committee; Zdenka Willis, technical director, NOAA, the ocean observation committee; and Andy Hill, Marine Geohazards Technical Authority, BP once again chairing the survey committee. Once again, all conference sessions will be free to attend; there were 50 in 2010.

Oceanology International is held in association with the Society for Underwater Engineers and is supported by AMSI, the Hydrographic Society, IMarEST, IMCA, Marine Technology Society, RenewableUK and the Society of Maritime Industries.