Oceanology International Open for Registrations

Exhibition manager James Coleman from Reed Exhibitions' Energy & Marine Group says to have chalked up a significant ‘first' as American pavilions are organised directly with the participating companies and one by the Marine Technology Society (MTS). Other pavilions are from Canada, France, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands.

Thematic pavilions on industry sectors include one devoted to the offshore renewable energy sector; the Marine Security pavilion run partnership with SMI, which also host SMI and AMSI's stand; the ADC UK Dive pavilion providing opportunities to companies involved in commercial diving and the First Time Exhibitors pavilion.

The Oceanology International free-to-attend conference will feature six one-day conferences on the key technology areas and the key industry sectors engaging with marine science and ocean technology. The topics coming under the conference spotlight over the three days are: Hydrography and Geophsics; Marine Renewables; Maritime Security; Navigation and Postioning; Ocean Observation and Forecasting; and Oil and Gas.

The Hydrography and Geophysics session is chaired by Andy Hill, Maritime Geohazard technical authority, BP Exploration; Marine Renewables is chaired by Alan Moore, non-executive chairman of Partnerships for Renewables Ltd, and chairman of Ventus2 VVCT plc; and Rob Balloch, strategic business development director, Sonardyne chairs the Maritime Security session; Navigation and Positioning is chaired by independent consultant for Swan Consultants Ltd. and international sales manager  for C&C Technologies Ed Danson.

Zdenka Willis, director, NOAA Integrated Ocean Observation chairs the Ocean Observation and Forecasting session; and Oil and Gas is chaired by Colin Grant, advisor & SETA - Metocean BP - Subsea & Floating Systems Upstream Engineering Centre.

The outline programme is now online showing that Day 1 will feature Marine Renewables and Navigation and Positioning sessions; Day 2 is devoted to Maritime Security and Oil and Gas; and Day 3 to Hydrography and Geophysics and Ocean Observation and Forecasting with the full conference programme due for publication later in the month.

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.

Oceanology International 2010 attracted 6938 people from 75 countries over three days (a 4.4% increase on the 2008 figure). They filled the conference halls and ensured busy stands and aisles throughout the exhibition with its 530+ exhibiting companies, visited the vessels moored alongside the exhibition hall, and benefited from the networking events.

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.