Oceanology International 2026 (Oi26), the global exhibition for the ocean technology, engineering and science communities, attracted a record attendance as London’s Excel was transformed into a vibrant showcase of breakthrough innovation, next generation equipment and high energy dealmaking.
Over 15 thousand people visited the show over the three days, 14% more than attended in 2024, with over half of them travelling from outside the UK. They saw displays from 461 exhibitors, 120 of them new to the show. They also had the opportunity to hear from 203 conference speakers and visit over 175 dockside demonstrations.
More than 160 companies chose Oi26 as the launchpad for new solutions, reinforcing Oceanology International’s position as the most important marketplace for unveiling cutting-edge technology and offering direct access to a powerful cross-section of customers, partners and decision-makers.
Taking their place among the industry’s most high-profile, established key players who returned to the event, including Teledyne Marine, Fugro, Sonardyne, Kongsberg Discovery and others, were new exhibitors for 2026 such as Bedrock Ocean , C-SAM, Online Oceans and Reach Systems, adding fresh perspectives and new solutions to the show floor.
With a strong COAST focus debuting this year alongside the wider Oi content, more than 80 exhibitors showcased specific coastal and shallow-water solutions, offering attendees a highly focused opportunity to connect with the right companies and expertise in this rapidly evolving space. A three-day content programme on the new COAST stage ran as a core feature within the exhibition, complementing Ocean Futures, the Technical Conference and Dockside Demonstrations to deliver a richer, more integrated visitor experience.
Oceanology International event director David Ince said: “Ocean technology now sits at the heart of the global energy transition, sustainable ocean stewardship and the growing ocean economy, and that’s exactly what we saw come to life at Oi26. From offshore renewables and coastal resilience to advanced data, survey and autonomous systems, the innovation on show this year underlined just how critical this sector is to unlocking safer, more sustainable and more prosperous use of our oceans.”
The Oi content programme united inspiring voices from around the world — from cutting-edge technical sessions and workshops led by innovative service providers, to visionary discussions and policy insights shared by senior government leaders shaping the future of ocean technology.
Among the key contributors to Oi26, Costas Kadis, European Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries, gave a keynote speech on ‘The Future of the Blue Economy’, commenting: “This is a time of great challenges, but also of great opportunities.”
Vidar Helgesen, executive secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, took part in the session ‘Sustaining the Global Ocean Observing System’. He said: “We need the collective efforts of governments and private sectors to step up in terms of observing and sharing data.”
Rachael Hill MBE, flood and coastal erosion risk strategy manager at the Environment Agency, delivered a keynote presentation ‘Addressing the Current Challenges in Coastal Resilience and Flood Defence’. She said: “Oceanology 2026 provided the Environment Agency with a valuable platform to share our coastal challenges and opportunities with a wide range of industry professionals.
“The event enabled me to build new connections, gain fresh insights, and deepen my understanding of innovative technologies and solutions that could support our future work.”
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