IMCA Newsroom

Press Release 29/06

NEW FRONTIERS IN MARINE CONTRACTING

In a rapidly changing world and faced with a multitude of challenges including working in new geographic locations and ever-deeper water; increased use of sophisticated technology; skills shortages; and terrorist threats, the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has chosen 'New Frontiers in Marine Contracting' as the theme for its 15th Annual Seminar. A call for papers has now been published.

Once again the seminar, being held 6-7 November 2007 at the Rive Gauche, Marriott Hotel in Paris, will reflect the work of all divisions - marine, diving, offshore survey and remote systems & ROV - of the international association that represents the interests of more than 350 member organisations in well over 40 countries.

"We last held the Annual Seminar in Paris in 1999 and are looking forward to returning there," says IMCA's Technical Director, Jane Bugler. "Our steering committee set up to organise the event has agreed that the format should be that of a division-wide seminar with both plenary sessions and separate marine and diving sessions. Our theme will enable us to look at a range of topical issues encompassing a whole range of 'frontiers' including deployment in newly developing areas of the offshore oil and gas world.

"As in 2006 when our seminar was held in Copenhagen, there will be an additional focus on senior industry speakers on more commercial topics to start things off on day one. We are eager to receive suggestions of papers, presentations and topics for inclusion in the programme to highlight our theme of 'New Frontiers in Marine Contracting'. We are eager to attract ideas reflecting operational experience, technological developments and current issues."

All suggestions should be emailed to Jane.Bugler@imca-int.com. Once again, there will be a small exhibition highlighting equipment and services by supplier members of IMCA.

Looking back

The 2006 IMCA annual seminar took place at the Marriott Copenhagen Hotel on 19-20 September and was hailed a great success with over 250 delegates attending from 24 countries. Participants included offshore and onshore management and operational staff, together with a range of specialist consultants, oil company representatives and regulators.

Subjects ranged from technological developments through to practical experience in recent projects and current issues in the industry. As well as interesting presentations, the seminar included workshops where delegates could express their views on issues such as marine crew training and diver contamination monitoring and identifying topics for IMCA to take forward.

The full proceedings, including the presentations and reports on the discussions are available now on CD from IMCA.

Notes to Editors (common)

• IMCA is an international association with over 450 members in more than 50 countries, representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies. IMCA has four technical divisions, covering marine/specialist vessel operations, offshore diving, hydrographic survey and remote systems and ROVs, plus geographic sections for the Americas Deepwater, Asia-Pacific, Europe & Africa and Middle East & India regions, as well as a core focus on safety, the environment, competence and training. IMCA seeks to promote its members' common interests, to resolve industry-wide issues and to provide an authoritative voice for its members.
• IMCA publishes some 200 guidance notes and technical reports. These have been developed over the years and are widely distributed. They are a definition of what IMCA stands for, including widely recognised diving and ROV codes of practice, DP documentation, marine good practice guidance, the Common Marine Inspection Document, safety recommendation, outline training syllabi and the IMCA competence scheme guidance. In addition to the range of printed guidance documents, IMCA also produces safety promotional materials, circulates information notes and safety flashes.
• Judith Patten is here to help you if you want any additional information on IMCA; would like to discuss a feature article; want to organise interviews with key members of the IMCA team, etc.