Oceanology International Launches in North America

The San Diego Convention Center in California, USA, will host the first Oceanology International North America (OINA) from 14-16 February 2017, bringing together key figures and businesses from the marine science and ocean technologies industry for what is expected to become the leading exhibition and conference in North America in this sector.

As the world’s largest marine technology market, North America is home to some of the most eminent academics and government agencies in the ocean science community.  OINA’s diverse conference speaker programme will focus on key issues affecting the local region, the Americas and the world, providing a platform for these experts to share their knowledge in order to improve strategies for measuring, advancing, protecting and operating in the world’s oceans.

Alongside the conference programme, an exhibition will feature some of the biggest names in ocean science and marine technology from the US and across the world.  Exhibitors from the oil and gas, engineering, renewables, maritime security and marine science industries will present their latest products to buyers and key decision makers, providing a valuable networking opportunity for suppliers to establish relationships and secure business on a global scale.

Reed Exhibitions, the organisers of Oceanology International London and Oceanology China, has drawn on the success of both events to ensure that OINA becomes a mainstay in the North American ocean science and marine technology event calendar. As the flagship event, Oceanology International London holds a prominent position in this sector having run its 47th edition in 2016. 

Multi-track Conference

OINA 2017 will feature a multi-track conference focussing on the core topics of relevance to the ocean science and marine technology community.

An opening plenary will prelude three keynote sessions:

• Ocean Resources;
• Transportation and Security;
• Climate and Environment.

During these sessions, leaders from science, industry and government will describe the characteristics of the Blue Economy, the science and technologies that enable ocean activities and the imperatives for protection of the marine environment.

Ocean Resources

Expert panellists secured to discuss the keynote topics include distinguished industry names and experts. In addition to opening the OINA conference programme, Ralph Rayner, US IOOS Industry Liaison, NOAA, and co-chair of the Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans Industry Liaison Council, will also chair the ‘Ocean Resources’ keynote session which consists of

• Randall Luthi, president, National Ocean Industries Association;
• Carolyn Heeps, Development Strategy manager, RES Offshore;
• David Kelly, chief technology officer, InnovaSea;
• Tiago Pitta e Cunha, executive director, Oceano Azul Foundation, Portugal;
• Phil Cruver, chief executive officer, Catalina Sea Ranch.

They will consider the trends in future use of living and non-living ocean resources and the ocean science and technology needs these will drive.

Transportation and Security

The ‘Transportation and Security’ panel, chaired  by Michael Jones, president ofThe Maritime Alliance and TMA Foundation, will consider the emerging developments in transportation and the associated ocean science and technology requirements, with particular attention on emerging environmental regulations affecting ports and shipping, the future large scale use of autonomous vessels and the challenges associated with safe and secure maritime operations. Providing the insight will be

• Dr Stephen Russell, director of Science and Technology, CTO, SPAWAR;
• Jay McFadyen, vice president Ship Intelligence, Rolls-Royce;
• Rear Admiral Pat DeQuattro, USCG Deputy Pacific Area Commander, Coast Guard;
• Dr Noel Hacegaba, chief commercial officer, Port of Long Beach;
• Jorge Durán, chief of the Secretariat, Inter-American Committee on Ports (CIP), Organization of American States.

Climate and Environment

The third keynote session, ‘Climate and Environment’, will be chaired by Zdenka Willis, director, US Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) Program, with input from

• Russell Callender, assistant administrator, NOAA’s National Ocean Service;
• Tim Gallaudet, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral – Oceanographer for the Navy and Climate task force;
• Stephen Weisberg, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project;
• Andreas Andersson, assistant Professor of Oceanography – Geoscience Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography;
• Jason Giffen, assistant vice president, Port of San Diego.

This panel will consider present and future threats to coastal communities and the ocean environment.

A series of five topical technical tracks will also run across the three days exploring the latest developments in ocean science and technology and their application in support of safe and sustainable use of the ocean and the protection of the marine environment. The topics are

• Big Data, Visualisation and Modelling
• Hydrography, Geophysics and Geotechnics
• Sensors and Instrumentation
• Unmanned Vehicles and Vessels
• Communications and Navigation.

The final day of the programme will look to the future with the fourth edition of the Catch the Next Wave (CTNW) conference track. Delivered in association with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, it will take a longer term view of the science and technology that will shape future exploration, understanding, development and protection of the oceans.

The special CTNW edition will also honour the achievements of Scripps Institution of Oceanography oceanographer Walter Munk as he approaches his 100th birthday and as he continues to contribute to the future direction of ocean science and technology. In keeping with past CTNW conferences, the focus will be on where some of the many aspects of ocean science that Walter has worked on during his long career are heading, and how diverse technological innovations, including emerging robotic technologies and the latest developments in machine learning and autonomy, might contribute to progress. The aim is to explore some examples of the trajectory of technological innovation outside of the ocean community with the objective of generating new ideas across disciplines and sectors.

Exhibition

Booths from some of the biggest names in ocean science and marine technology from the US and across the world will present a glimpse into the next generation of products and solutions designed to support both research and industry.

Exhibitors, including major players from the US and Europe such as iXblue, Teledyne, Hydroid, Xylem, Fugro and KONGSBERG, will present their latest technology, which has been developed specifically for measuring, advancing, protecting and advancing the world’s oceans.

The OINA three-day programme will take place at the San Diego Convention Center from 14 to 16 February 2017. Visit the OINA website for more information and to register.