From seabed to showcase: exploring the best of Ocean Business 2025

In early April, the global ocean science and technology community descended on Southampton in unprecedented numbers for what proved to be the largest and most dynamic edition of Ocean Business to date. The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) played host to over 10,650 attendees – a 23% increase compared to the 2023 edition – as visitors from more than 80 countries convened for three days filled with groundbreaking innovation, major product launches and lively quayside demonstrations.

The expanded exhibition space and bustling dockside were alive with energy as deals were struck, new collaborations were formed and long-standing relationships were reaffirmed. From the outset, the enthusiasm was palpable. For Graeme McGhee of Scorpion Oceanics, it was “the best one yet.” Stuart Howard, founder of Kuro Animation, described it as “head and shoulders above other expos,” while Chris Wallace of Verlume emphasized the quality of engagement: “So many visitors from the very beginning and amazing conversations on all three days.”

The ocean’s storied past

The event opened with a powerful reminder of the ocean’s storied past, as keynote speaker Mensun Bound captivated a full audience with an account of the 2022 international mission to locate Ernest Shackleton’s legendary ship, Endurance. As director of exploration on the Antarctic expedition, Bound described the moment the team spotted a distinct shape 3,000 metres beneath the surface. “It was obviously something man-made,” he recalled. “And the only man-made thing in the Weddell Sea was Endurance.” The ship, astonishingly well preserved after 117 years frozen in ice, had been located with the aid of Saab Seaeye Sabertooth ROVs and elite subsea specialists. Read more about the search for Endurance in this recent article.

This discovery resonated throughout the exhibition, as Voyis Imaging showcased its contribution to the project through high-resolution 3D reconstructions using its Insight Pro Underwater Laser Scanner and Observer Pro Imaging System. Sister company Sonardyne also played a key role, supplying Sprint-Nav underwater positioning technology. At Ocean Business, Sonardyne seized the opportunity to launch Sprint-Nav U, a compact navigation solution for marine robotics. According to Aidan Thorn, Sonardyne’s marine robotics business development manager and a veteran of the show for two decades, the launch was a resounding success: “The interest in our new Sprint-Nav U was fantastic… having on-water demos shows credibility in our product in action.” Thorn also connected with students at the Ocean Careers programme, noting that “a career in the marine industry increasingly means a career working with robots.”

A wave of innovation

Day one brought another headline moment when Teledyne unveiled what it described as the world’s smallest and highest-performing fully integrated autonomous navigator. Marketing manager Guy Frankland was thrilled with the reception: “We couldn’t have asked for a better show launch… we’ve had so many existing and new contacts coming onto the stand.”

The show was rich with announcements. Planet Ocean revealed a collaboration with Sonardyne International, integrating three gold-standard instruments from its partners – Sea-Bird Scientific, Sequoia and 4H-Jena. Geo Acoustics attracted global attention with its new sidescan sonar, receiving enquiries from Dubai to Italy. Meanwhile, RS Aqua shared news of a new UK distribution agreement with US-based SRS for its Fusion Hybrid ROV and described the event as a welcome chance to reconnect: “Still riding the wave after catching up with our partners, customers and old and new faces!”

With over 350 exhibitors and more than 180 hours of training sessions, live demos and classroom workshops, the scope of the event was unmatched. Attendees explored a wide array of innovations – from R3Vox’s Voxometer, which chairman Jens Steenstrup likened to a multibeam system “on steroids,” to Tritonia’s Hydrophis, hailed as a revolution in underwater survey data analysis.

International collaboration

International collaboration was another key theme. At the Canadian pavilion, 24 companies showcased their technology under a shared banner. Shelly Petten, executive director of Oceans Advance and a long-time attendee, reflected on the value of the pavilion: “Canada is an export nation and the hope is to grow Canadian exports… given the current US tariffs, we’re encouraging customers to target the European markets more.” Cathy Williams of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency added that Ocean Business is now considered a cornerstone event for Canadian ocean tech firms: “The ocean tech world knows the best and brightest of our companies will be here.”

Among first-time exhibitors was Curtis Lee of QYSEA, whose Shenzhen-based company displayed the fish-shaped Fifish underwater robot in the test tank. “It’s a very relevant show for us with a very international draw,” Lee said, expressing satisfaction with the strong leads and high demand for their hydrodynamic innovation.

Beyond the exhibition stands and water tanks, the event also offered a packed programme of panels and expert talks. Dr Louise Butt of the Space South Central Enterprise Network shared insights on the growing intersection between maritime and space technologies, predicting a steep rise in the use of AI-driven satellites and a dramatic shift in satcom use from 20% to 90% in the next decade. At the Doing Business with Defence session – held in the NOC’s brand-new Innovation Hub – Claire Budden, deputy director of Navy Commercial, outlined extensive opportunities within the defence supply chain, citing the UK government’s intention to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP in the next parliamentary term.

The Society of Marine Industries (SMI) played a central role in the event’s success. CEO Tom Chant described Ocean Business as “a standout event on the industry calendar,” praising the vibrant atmosphere and the sector’s growing role in addressing urgent global challenges – from renewable energy to autonomous defence systems.

Valuable insights and connections

Running concurrently with Ocean Business, Marelec 2025 added a further dimension with creative and interactive sessions. Chair Madeline Lee noted the importance of involving emerging professionals, highlighting presentations and posters on topics such as magnetic navigation and controlled source EM imaging. “We hope attendees left with valuable insights and connections to support their work,” she said.

Reflecting on the show’s overwhelming success, organizer Cheri Arvonio expressed pride in what had been achieved. “The team have been totally blown away by all the incredible feedback,” she said. “It was wonderful to see so many friends, Ocean Business regulars and emerging talent, reflecting the rapid pace of development in the industry. For all three days there was a real buzz, inside and outside the main exhibition spaces – and with the added bonus of glorious sunshine!”