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Oceanology International 2026 (Oi26) has announced the line-up of industry leaders and experts scheduled to present during its comprehensive conference programme this March.
Oi26, held at London Excel from 10th to 12th March 2026, serves as a forum for ocean science, engineering, and technology. The upcoming session aims to address critical themes defining the trajectory of the ocean economy and the development of future marine technologies. A primary addition to the schedule is the COAST conference track, which focuses on innovations in coastal zone management, environmental protection, and infrastructure resilience.
The Oi conference programme features several keynote speakers from international policy and research organizations. Costas Kadis, European Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries, will deliver a keynote on the future of the blue economy.
Additionally, Claire Jolly, Lead of the Ocean Economy programme at the OECD, will present findings on the foresight and trajectory of the global ocean economy. She stated, “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.”
Technical sessions will cover a broad spectrum of engineering and scientific disciplines, including hydrography, geophysics, geotechnics, and site investigation. Specific focus will be given to uncrewed vehicles and vessels, as well as the integration of AI and data analytics in marine environments. Jim Bellingham of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is slated to discuss the evolution of these uncrewed systems.
Dan Hook, CEO of RAD Propulsion and moderator for the uncrewed systems sessions, noted the rapid pace of development in the sector, “It’s been a huge couple of years in the unmanned systems industry across offshore wind, ocean science, oil and gas, increasingly defence, and various other sectors. I am really looking forward to this series of presentations and panels, because I think there’s going to be a lot of good work that’s been done in the last two years being talked about and a few people are making announcements and presentations of things that people won’t have seen before.”
Further specialist topics include maritime domain awareness, underwater communication, and unexploded ordnance (UXO) risk mitigation for offshore renewable energy developments. The event will also feature insights from the Met Office, the Environment Agency, and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science.
Mehraj Hassan, Oi26 Conference Manager, stated, “The conference programme is a crucial component of Oi’s commitment to foster learning and connection. This year, our full conference programme will reflect the latest topics impacting future ocean technology and economic needs. It will encompass original content aimed at improving strategies for exploring, protecting and sustainably operating in the world’s oceans and waterways.”
The event is expected to host more than 450 exhibitors and thousands of attendees. Visitor registration has officially opened for the three-day programme.
