New technology took centre stage at Oi26
A wave of product launches defined much of the activity at Oceanology International 2026, with companies across the ocean technology sector using the London event to introduce new systems to an international audience of engineers, surveyors, researchers and buyers.
Teledyne Marine marked the occasion by unveiling the SeaBat D-Series multibeam echosounder, the headline launch in a wider package of announcements that included a new integrated dual-head multibeam configuration and live on-water demonstrations. The launch also formed part of celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of Teledyne RESON.
Guy Frankland, head of marketing at Teledyne Marine, said: “Oi is the biggest event in the marine calendar for us and a fantastic opportunity to meet customers. In 2026, we had our biggest stand and it looked fantastic. It was really busy with great engagement from customers. At Oi, we showcased a range of technology from the different brands – Teledyne Marine, Teledyne FLIR and Teledyne CARIS – under one banner. We also held a reception on the stand to celebrate RESON’s 50th anniversary.”
Wide range of product launches
GeoAcoustics introduced two new systems at the show. Its GeoMB 401 multibeam echosounder attracted immediate commercial interest, with Australian distributor No Humes placing the first order during the event itself. Richard Dowdeswell, chief commercial officer at GeoAcoustics, described the sale as an endorsement of demand for practical, cost-effective hydrographic technology. The company's second launch, the GeoPulse LF 101 low-frequency sub-bottom profiler, drew interest from survey companies and research organizations looking for deeper sediment penetration in geotechnical and geological work.
Deep Trekker used the show to launch SPECTRA, described by the company as a next-generation remotely operated vehicle designed for offshore use in harsh conditions. Alan Middup, the company's president, said the system offers higher payload capacity and greater power while remaining compact and manoeuvrable, and pointed to the event as a useful opportunity to connect with European distributors and hear about real-world operational challenges.
Skarv Technologies, exhibiting at Oceanology International for the first time, launched the Corax 600, an autonomous underwater vehicle system designed for high-resolution optical and acoustic seafloor mapping. Petter Norgren-Aamot, the company's chief technology officer, said taking the product to London was a natural step in bringing it to an international market. “We launched our Corax 600 AUV-system, a purpose-built vehicle system optimized for high-resolution optical and acoustical seafloor mapping. It's our first time exhibiting, so Oi was a new experience for us which has been really good.”
Fugro's primary launch at the event was Blue Prism, its latest uncrewed surface vessel, which the company said reflects a continued focus on survey operations. Anneke Lafeber, regional events manager at Fugro: “Blue Prism, our latest USV, has been the main launch at Oi26. It is an important show with a strong emphasis on survey work. We find it good for networking, there are lots of suppliers here, plus we can catch up with operational-level clients who are visiting. It is also a learning experience and a chance to get updated with new technology. We returned this year with a different format and it has been very successful.”
iBULe Photonics presented what it described as third-generation single crystal acoustic sensing technology for hydrophone applications. Higgin Ko, the company's vice president, commented: “The response to our new hydrophone technology at Oceanology International was extremely positive. It was a valuable event for meeting industry leaders and demonstrating the potential of our world-first third-generation single crystal acoustic sensing technology, which represents a major advancement in underwater detection capability.”
Visitor feedback echoed the positive sentiment among exhibitors, with attendees from industry, government and academia – from engineers, hydrographers and geotechnics to energy professionals, oceanographers, site investigators, marine surveyors, students and many more – highlighting the quality of content, access to expertise and breadth of technology on show.
