Press release -
Oceanology International 2018: Unfolding Revolution in Ocean Information and Communications Technology Takes Centre Stage at Oceanology International
- Leading companies and specialists in the exciting field of Ocean IT, communications, satellite and data solutions to gather at London’s ExCel, 13 – 15 March 2018
London, 26 January 2018 – The unfolding revolution in marine and ocean information and communications technology (ICT), and satellite and data solutions has been presented with its most prominent position yet at this year’s Oceanology International, the world's premier event for marine science and ocean technology.
Reflecting the current significance of topics including the underwater Internet of Things, command and control of marine platforms, applications of AIS and satellite-derived data sources, and access to ocean data, the 2018 London event will host some of the world’s leading Ocean ICT products, services and solutions as exhibitors, specialists, experts and conference speakers converge to discuss and share the latest developments.
As chair of the Ocean ICT conference track, former UK National Hydrographer and master mariner Rear Admiral Nick Lambert believes recent game-changing developments have exciting implications for hydrography and bathymetry, and, ultimately, the future management of global oceans to benefit the environment and humanity.
He said: “This is an exciting time. We are on the cusp of ‘sea vision’, an epoch when we will know everything we need about human activity and maritime operations of all kinds in complex sea basins. AIS, and now satellite AIS, along with satellite derived data sources such as optical imagery and synthetic aperture radar are exponentially improving in performance, offering corroborating information about maritime operations from space. Fusing these space derived sources with terrestrial coastal radar pictures and historical datasets such as vessel registers will provide a comprehensive, reliable picture of human activities on our seas and oceans.”
Lambert also highlights the important role of hydrographers within this revolution and the need for geographical representations in the form of maps, charts or GIS solutions to enable decision making, and the importance of data about the bathymetry of marine environments so that resources can be exploited in a sustainable, but economically viable, manner.
At Oi18, Lambert will oversee a comprehensive range of conference sessions alongside fellow chairs Dr Clare Postlethwaite, Coordinator of the Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN), and Dr Helen Wells, Business Group Leader of Meteorology and Science at the Met Office. Sessions will encompass Ocean ICT Enabling Enhanced Marine Sensing Command & Control, Widening Access to Ocean Data and Novel Systems using Ocean Data.
Dr Wells commented: “At the Met Office, we are really interested in taking the opportunities afforded to us by new technologies to widen access to ocean data and deliver innovation that leads to improvements in safety and efficiency and ultimately the growth of the blue economy. To widen access to ocean data, we are trying to encourage the discussion of data standards and connectivity, such as how the data can be transmitted in real-time or in slower time. We are also highlighting some novel uses of ocean data in the hope of stimulating more innovation and thus delivering more value from the data.”
As coordinator of MEDIN, a partnership committed to sharing UK marine data, Dr Postlethwaite is at the forefront of promoting access to data by collaborating with representatives from government departments, research institutions and private companies with the aim of achieving wide commercial, scientific, policy and conservation benefits.
She said: “The technology involved with acquiring, transmitting and publishing marine data is changing rapidly as the community responds to a desire for receiving data in real-time, new types of sensors measuring new ocean parameters, as well as an ever-increasing volume of data from existing sensors. I’m excited to hear about some of these developments when I co-chair the Ocean ICT technical track session at Oceanology International 2018.”
Addressing demand from visitors and exhibitors, organiser Reed Exhibitions expanded Oi18 with the launch of the Ocean ICT Expo, a brand new exhibition focus on the IT, communications and data solutions that form the technical foundation for modern oceanspace research and industry.
Leading exhibitors within the Ocean ICT focus will include dotOcean, Metocean Telematics, Liquid Robotics, Sonardyne, Oceanwise, AgileTek, Emodnet, The British Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC), Esri, Plocan, Deco Geophysical Software and EOMAP GmbH & Co. KG.
Mapping and spatial data analytics technology specialist Esri is focused on Marine Data Cyber Infrastructure (Big Data) requirements, and building-out the Web GIS applications to deliver rapidly-configured and real-time Information Products. The company anticipates powerful monitoring and modelling will translate to real benefits soon.
Esri says its work will impact the following areas: Port Authority harbour masters and reinsurers; making navigation decisions less risky; seafood suppliers and shippers; ensuring safety of the food supply; environmental domain monitors and developers; building better coastal installations with shorter permit times; and hydrologic forecast offices and scientific research institutions performing insightful science in the complex estuaries of the world.
Meanwhile, EOMAP, global provider of satellite-derived information in maritime and inland waters for the offshore industry and government agencies and a pioneer in the field of satellite-derived bathymetry, seafloor mapping and high resolution water quality monitoring, is exhibiting at Oi18 as well as presenting in the ‘Satellite Toolkit: Rapid access to coastal spatial datalayers’ session in the Ocean ICT conference track.
The 24th edition of the Oceanology International biennial global forum will bring together 100’s of highly targeted IT and data professionals looking to procure specialist solutions, alongside the traditional Oi audience of more than 7,500 people. The event will also spotlight technological developments including robotics, advanced sensor technology and autonomous systems. The conference programme will boast 11 free-to-attend technical tracks. For more information about Oceanology International 2018 and to register, visit www.oceanologyinternational.com/register
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Sara Andrade
Marketing Manager, Energy & Marine Group
Reed Exhibitions
Tel: +44 (0)20 8439 5226
or
Jules Riegal/Karen Bartlett
Saltwater Stone
Tel: +44 (0)1202 669244
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About the Oceanology International Portfolio
The Oceanology International portfolio of events offer a global forum where industry, academia and government share knowledge and connect with the marine technology and ocean science community, improving their strategies for measuring, exploiting, protecting and operating in the world’s oceans. First established in 1969, the flagship event in London features the world’s largest exhibition for marine science and technology, multiple agenda-setting technical conferences, and a visiting vessels and waterside demonstration program.
The Oceanology International portfolio includes:
- Oceanology International China: Developed with government and industry associations, Oceanology International China provides organizations with the opportunity to capitalize on China’s rapidly growing offshore energy and marine industries. With 215 exhibitors from 20 different countries, more than 5000 domestic and overseas professional attendees from 32 different countries and regions were attracted to OI China 2015. OI China 2017 (1-3 November) is excited to announce a move to Qingdao.Qingdao is the largest city in eastern Shandong Province on the east coast of China, the wealthiest city in Shandong Province, a demonstration area for marine ecology protection and a pilot city for marine technology and has key economic links with Ontario & British Columbia, Canada. www.oichina.com.cn/en
- Oceanology International: Oceanology International is the leading conference and exhibition dedicated to serving all professionals working in the global ocean science and marine technology sector. The first Oceanology International was held in Brighton, in 1969. Today, its home is at ExCeL London. The OI2016 exhibition was the largest ever in the show’s 47-year history with over 8,500m2 occupied by 520 exhibiting companies from 33 countries. www.oceanologyinternational.com
- Catch the Next Wave conference: Now in its fifth edition, Catch the Next Wave is an exclusive conference taking place alongside or as part of the Oceanology International events globally. The most recent program in London took place at the prestigious Royal Institution, and the North American edition will form part of the OIA conference program on February 27th 2019. The event takes a longer-term view of the capabilities that will shape our future ability to explore, understand, exploit and protect the oceans. Catch the Next Wave 2018 is taking place alongside Oceanology International 2018 This one day programme (Thursday 15 March) will explore the future of disruptive exploratory technology and consider opportunities for technology transfer from outside the marine industry and is run in association with The Explorers Club. www.ctnwconference.com
- Oceanology International Americas (February 25-27 2019, San Diego Convention Center, USA): The successful launch event of the biennial series took place in 2017. www.oceanologyinternationalnorthamerica.com
About Reed Exhibitions
Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events organizer, with over 500 events in 30 countries. In 2015, Reed brought together over seven million event participants from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today, Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa and organized by 40 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 43 industry sectors with trade and consumer events. It is part of the RELX Group plc, a world-leading provider of information solutions for professional customers across industries.www.reedexpo.com
