The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Subsea Expo event returns to P&J Live
More than 2,000 attendees are expected in Aberdeen this week as the Subsea Expo conference and exhibition returns, marking the first major in-person industry event since the pandemic.
Organised by the newly launched Global Underwater Hub (GUH), the free, three-day event will see subsea experts and more than 110 companies from across the globe attend Aberdeen’s P&J Live from February 22-24.
Convened under the theme of “Oceans of Opportunity”, discussions will focus on how the UK’s underwater industry can capitalise on the global blue economy, as the subsea market is set to grow from £50 billion to £140bn by 2035.
Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise Ivan McKee will give the opening address at the plenary session alongside speakers from the Royal Navy, Aker Offshore Wind, the Marine Energy Council, Salmon Scotland and GUH, highlighting opportunities in the renewables, defence and aquaculture sectors.
The second day will see Minister for Just Transition, Employment and Fair Work Richard Lochhead kick off proceedings ahead of a session on energy transition, which will also feature presentations from Crondall Energy, Havfram UK, National Subsea Centre and ORION – a clean energy project based in Shetland.
More than 6,600 delegates attended the previous Subsea Expo in 2020, one of the biggest attendances in the event’s 15-year history and one of the final industry events to take place before lockdown.
GUH chief executive Neil Gordon said the organisers have seen “a great uptake” in registrations, despite the limitations on travel as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“This reinforces the appetite from industry to come together in person, to re-establish contacts, make new connections and showcase new technology as we look towards an incredibly exciting time for the industry,” Mr Gordon said.
Winners of the Subsea UK Awards will also be announced at a prestigious ceremony at P&J Live on Wednesday.
More than 100 school pupils are expected to attend Subsea Expo on February 24, as part of the first My Energy Future LIVE event, designed to showcase the opportunities a career in energy can offer.