Oceanology International 2026 (Oi26) is gearing up to be a pivotal event for the maritime and ocean technology sectors, offering a comprehensive platform for innovation, collaboration, and addressing the most pressing challenges facing our oceans and coasts. Scheduled to take place from March 10 to 12, 2026, at Excel London, Oi26 promises to deliver an unparalleled global gathering for the innovative technology, breakthrough solutions, and thought leadership that are shaping the future ocean economy.
### A Comprehensive Focus on Critical Themes
Oi26 will delve into key themes such as exploration, environmental monitoring, sustainable marine engineering, and the ocean enterprise. The event will feature a new COAST exhibition focus and conference track, highlighting developments in coastal protection, erosion control, sediment transport analysis, shoreline stabilization, and climate adaptation. This fresh emphasis on the coastal sector is a response to the critical challenges facing our coasts, including storms, flooding, erosion, and rising sea levels.
Robert Hoddenbach, Global Director for Climate and Nature at Fugro, emphasized the significance of Oi26, stating, “Oceanology International is one of the main events for the industry. Fugro has been mapping, modeling, and monitoring the oceans for the last 70 years, and this is one of the premier locations to showcase our solutions and our vast expertise in technology. It’s also a way to engage with the market that is quickly changing. Furthermore, it’s a way for us to showcase our new technologies, like our satellite derived bathymetry, our RAMMS Airborne LiDAR Bathymetry, but also our USVs.”
### Exhibitors Unveil Latest Innovations
The spotlight will be on new launches on the 20,000 m2 exhibitor floor and demonstrations at the live in-water dockside location on the Royal Victoria Dock. Hundreds of exhibitors will introduce products and showcase developments across the fast-paced ocean technology, science, and engineering sectors. With every continent represented, Oi’s international profile remains strong, hosting more than 450 exhibitors, including international pavilions, SMEs, start-ups, accelerators, and innovation clusters.
Leading exhibitors returning for 2026 include Fugro, Teledyne Marine, Saab Seaeye, Kongsberg Discovery, and General Oceans, among others. Over 100 first-time exhibitors will also be on show, including specialist geospatial service provider Ocean Ledger, making its debut in the COAST exhibition zone.
### Pioneering Insight at Oi Conference
The full Oi conference program features a compelling line-up of industry-leading speakers taking to the Ocean Futures Theatre stage and other locations. The conference will spark insightful discussions that define the future of ocean technology and drive real-world change across global marine and offshore sectors.
Key contributors to the 2026 conference program include Costas Kadis, European Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries, EU Commission, who will give a keynote speech on ‘The Future of the Blue Economy’ in the Ocean Futures Theatre. Claire Jolly, Lead of the Ocean Economy program at OECD, will give the opening keynote for a plenary session to explore the scale and scope of the Ocean Economy and its future development.
Claire Jolly remarked, “Oi is a special hub where you meet many different stakeholders from industries, academia, public sector, and where innovation is really a keyword. The conference is a perfect place where the OECD’s work on the ocean economy foresight will be of interest. I think this audience will particularly appreciate some of our findings.”
In the Coast Theatre, Dr. Jon Rees, Principal Oceanographer, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), will give a keynote focusing on ‘The Future of Coastal Marine Conservation and Restoration.’ Caroline Douglass, Executive Director, Flood and Coastal Risk Management, Environment Agency, will address the current challenges in coastal resilience and flood defense. Andy Hill, Marine Geohazards Technical Authority, Safety and Operational Risk Division, BP, is another of the top speakers lined up at Oi26.
### How Oi Answers Today’s Pressing Challenges
Solutions from AI, robotics and autonomous systems, to GIS, cloud analytics and integrated platforms, to monitoring, resilience and compliance technology, will enable engineers, scientists, operators, surveyors, and geotechnical professionals to discover and assess next-generation marine technology. This will advance sustainable practices, cut costs, improve safety, and lower risk.
David Ince, Oi Event Director, highlighted the event’s impact, stating, “Oi26 is positioned to deliver real impact—not only through the show floor product launches and a wide-ranging conference program, but also through