Programme
Registration and refreshments
Welcome to the IMCA Global Summit 2026
Moderator
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Susannah Streeter
Host
Session 1: The trends shaping offshore energy markets
David Linden, Executive Director at Westwood Global Energy Group, will give an expert perspective on the changing outlook for global offshore energy markets, the evolving needs of offshore developers, and the challenges and opportunities that this will create for the marine contracting industry.
Speaker
Fireside Chat - Opportunities in Offshore Wind
Moderator
Speaker
IMCA 2030 - Raising Standards. Empowering People. Sustaining the Future.
IMCA’s President Hugo Bouvy, Board Member Cinthya Lopes and CEO Iain Grainger will discuss how IMCA will chart a course for 2030, defining how IMCA will bring Members together to advance technical excellence and global standardisation, champion a safe, skilled, and diverse workforce, and support sustainability and operational efficiency in line with IMCA’s new 2030 strategy, which will be unveiled at the two-day conference.
Speakers
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Cinthya Lopes
Global DP Product Specialist / IMCA Board Member, ABB
Refreshment break and exhibition
Session 2a: What we can learn from industries that chose people
Moderators
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Tessa Hillebrants
Heerema Marine Contractors
Speakers
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Cameron Holliday
Boskalis Subsea Services
Session 2b: Preventing the next Serious Injury or Fatality (SIF): from insight to action
Serious injuries and fatalities remain one of the most important challenges facing offshore marine contracting. This session will move from insight to action, exploring where SIF risk is emerging, how leading companies are responding, and what practical steps can make the greatest difference offshore. Short member presentations will consider critical controls, meaningful KPIs, leadership, human factors and frontline engagement, before a panel discussion asks what really prevents serious harm in practice. Audience input will help identify the SIF risks IMCA should prioritise and the practical guidance, tools and insights members need to support future prevention.
Moderator
Speakers
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Human and Organisation Performance - Learning from Normal work
Eric Annand
Group Health and Safety Director, Subsea7
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Derek Hibbard
Chairman of the Global HSSE&Q Leadership Team, Fugro
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Francesco Maffei
Head of HSEQ Offshore Construction, Saipem
Session 2c: Navigating change: EU and IMO policy developments
This session will explore the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape shaping maritime decarbonisation, with a focus on key developments at both EU and IMO level. It will examine topics such as the expansion of the EU Emissions Trading System to shipping and progress on the IMO’s Net Zero Framework, including emerging global measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Bringing together policymakers and industry leaders, the discussion will highlight areas of convergence and divergence between regional and global approaches, assess implications for the offshore sector, and consider how regulatory alignment and a pragmatic approach can deliver effective change.
Moderator
Speakers
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Szymon Oscislowski
Acting Head of the Maritime Transport and Logistics Unit, DG MOVE
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The next 12 months: IMO & Global Regulatory Compliance Trends
Martin Layng
Head of Commercial - Northern Europe, Lloyds Register
Lunch and exhibition
Keynote Session: AI in Offshore
Moderator
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Susannah Streeter
Host
Speakers
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Saravan Penubarthi
Chief Technology Officer, AIQ
Movement break
Session 3a: Across Generations: What Can We Learn From Each Other?
Join the IMCA Next Generation Network for an open, engaging conversation between early-career professionals and experienced industry leaders. Together, we’ll explore key topics selected by NGN the steering group, exchange fresh perspectives and hard-earned insights, and discover what each generation can learn from the other to help shape the future of our industry.
Moderator
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Nikki Vass
Sales Manager, Commercial Products and Services, JFD
Speakers
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Sebastiano Tabacco
Saipem
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Daria Legostaeva
SBM Offshore NV
Session 3b: Offshore security in a changing threat landscape
Offshore security risks are changing quickly. Geopolitical instability, GNSS jamming and spoofing, and the growing use of drones are creating new challenges for offshore marine contractors. This session will explore what these threats mean in practice, using current security insight and operational examples from offshore construction and sensitive operating areas. Panelists will show how companies can prepare for, adapt to, and recover from security disruption, and where IMCA can best support members through shared learning, practical guidance, and coordinated industry action. Olivier de Gestas - Drones, as a growing security threat to the maritime sector when operating around sensitive areas Paul Hunt - Lost at sea: Impact of GNSS jamming & Spoofing on offshore construction projects in the Baltic
Moderator
Speakers
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Olivier de Gestas
Corporate Security Advisor, Subsea7
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Rolinda van Zanten
Manager QHSE. DPA/CSO, Van Oord
Session 3c: DP in offshore wind: beyond position keeping
Competence, access, and operational performance: dynamic positioning operations within offshore wind farms
Speakers
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Dynamic Positioning awareness for offshore wind operations
Cinthya Lopes
Global DP Product Specialist / IMCA Board Member, ABB
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Mark Paalvast
Managing Director, MO4
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Jannie Scholtz
Mackay Marine
Refreshment break and exhibition
Session 4a: Shaping the future of offshore survey: IMCA Guidance and workforce development
Two spotlight sessions highlighting the IMCA Offshore Survey Division’s technical guidance alongside initiatives inspiring new entrants and strengthening the survey talent pipeline.
Moderator
Speakers
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Guidelines for the Use of Multibeam Echosounders for Construction Support Surveys
Gordon Brown
Andrews Survey, Survey Manager
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S019 – Guidance on Subsea Spoolpiece Metrology
Kate McCubbin
Oceaneering
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Michiel Van de Munt
Survey Manager, Allseas
Session 4b: Getting the deal right: contracts and insurance in offshore wind
This interactive session will hear from developers, contractors, insurers, and law firms to identify the challenges faced by offshore wind projects in achieving contracts that provide a fair return - and share of risk - for all parties. The pros and cons of existing forms of contract and those under development from FIDIC, LOGIC, and BIMCO will also be discussed.
Moderator
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Margaret Hickland
Senior Legal Counsel, Allseas Group
Speakers
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Katy Heidenreich
Supply Chain and People Director, OEUK
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Lynne Dalrymple
Group Legal Director - Commercial, Subsea7
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Amber Oostvogels
Insurance Manager, DEME
Session 4c: The end game: offshore decommissioning in practice
As offshore assets reach the end of their operational life, decommissioning is rapidly becoming one of the industry's most significant challenges and opportunities. This session brings together contractors, project developers, and decommissioning specialists to share practical lessons from oil and gas and offshore wind projects, exploring how experience gained in mature decommissioning markets can help shape future approaches.
Speakers
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Andrew Shepherd
Head of Decommissioning, Energean
Close of day 1
Gala Dinner and Awards
(Horta & Art Noveau Hall)
Registration and refreshments
Welcome to day two
Moderator
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Susannah Streeter
Host
Senior Politician
Movement
Session 5a: Mental fitness in offshore diving
This panel session will explore the importance of mental fitness in offshore diving and its relationship to safety, performance, decision-making, and team effectiveness. Moving beyond awareness, the discussion will focus on the operational realities of offshore life, including isolation, fatigue, shift work, limited privacy, family pressures, stigma, and job insecurity. Drawing on perspectives from industry, operations, medical support, and lived experience, the session will consider how mental fitness challenges may occur and what can be done to recognise and address them early. The panel will also examine the role of leadership, team culture, and practical support systems in creating psychologically safer offshore environments.
Moderator
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Abbie Coutts
Occupational Health and Wellbeing Lead, TechnipFMC
Speakers
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Dean Barden
Operations Director, Blu Subsea
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Stu Cowie
Diving Supervisor, TechnipFMC
Session 5b: From ROV simulation to live operations: training, remote intervention and the future of subsea operations
From smart robotic composite repairs that offers a practical alternative to conventional routes by using ROV-deployed, ISO-compliant methods to restore pipeline integrity and extend asset life, to integration of artificial intelligence in planned maintenance routines, to the development of next-generation Remote Operations Centers, with integrated digital environments that can connect pilots, engineers, survey teams and clients through a simulation-to-operation workflow with improved situational awareness and resilient communications. and a focus on simulator-based ROV training, demonstrating how realistic physics-based environments, configurable missions and flexible instructor-led setups can strengthen ROV/ROC competence development, with scenario rehearsal and operational readiness.Together, these four contributions show how Autonomy and remote operations including robotic intervention, are converging to support safer, smarter and more scalable offshore subsea operations Gavin Innes - From Simulation to Live Operations: Developing a Next-Generation Remote Operations Centre for Offshore Subsea Operations
Moderator
Speakers
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Hedda Sofie Sjøvaag
Product Manager , 4subsea
Session 5c: Lifting and Rigging
Raising the standards of tomorrow through design and technology.
Moderator
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Laura Lombardi
Managing Director, Usha Martin
Speakers
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Rieno Graveland
Senior Specialist Cranes, Heerema
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Alex Weijts
Product Director for Cranes, Huisman
Refreshment break and exhibition
Session 6a: From policy to practice: designing offshore for a changing workforce
As the offshore industry faces increasing skills shortages and evolving workforce expectations, attracting and retaining talent has become a critical priority—not a future concern.This interactive session brings together perspectives from across IMCA’s global divisions to explore where offshore work is still shaped by legacy assumptions, and what needs to change to ensure it works for today’s workforce.Through real experiences, practical insights, and cross-industry discussion, speakers will examine the barriers affecting entry, retention, and progression—and, crucially, identify actionable solutions that can be implemented at scale.
Speakers
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Renata Cortes
CBO Grupo
Session 6b: Beneath the surface: evolving practices in commercial diving
Picking up the key themes from the IMCA Diving Division’s Safety, Medical, Technical and Training Forum, this session connects strategy, risk and innovation across the commercial diving industry.The introduction of ISO Working Group 16 signals a major opportunity to shape future standards for both manned and remote underwater operations. It’s a call for industry engagement at a time when consistency, clarity and collaboration are increasingly critical.Closer to the worksite, attention turns to a growing and often uncomfortable reality: the rising risk of serious medical events in an ageing workforce. It challenges long-held assumptions around preparedness, accountability, and what should reasonably be anticipated.Finally, the session tackles one of the industry’s quiet inefficiencies—helium transfer. As supply pressures mount and costs rise, longstanding processes are being rethought, unlocking faster, smarter and more responsible approaches to Heliox management.Standards, people and performance—this session brings the pressure points into focus and highlights where the industry moves next. Simon Binsted & Dr Jean Yves Massimelli - Offshore Medical Emergencies: Why "It won’t happen to us" is no longer an option Øyvind Loennechen - International standardisation in underwater operations – an opportunity Rushaa Qaiser - The Last Drop Counts: How Next-Generation Transfer Technology Is Redefining Heliox Conservation and Supply Resilience?
Moderator
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Bill Chilton
Diving Manager, IMCA
Speakers
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Offshore Medical Emergencies: Why "It won’t happen to us" is no longer an option
Simon Binsted
Group Diving Operations Authority , Subsea7
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International standardisation in underwater operations – an opportunity
Øyvind Loennechen
Convenor ISO TC 67/WG 16 Underwater Operations, ISO - International Standards Organisation
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Dr Jean Yves Massimelli
Occupational Medicine and Diving Medicine Specialist, French Health Service
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Rolf Røssland
CEO, NUI
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The Last Drop Counts: How Next-Generation Transfer Technology Is Redefining Heliox Conservation and Supply Resilience?
Rushaa Qaiser
Marketing Manager, SmartDives LLC
Session 6c: Closing the loop: how circular collaboration enables decarbonisation and supply‑chain resilience
This session will focus on turning ambition into practical action for the offshore industry. Real‑world case studies will showcase how companies are already embedding circular principles across their operations and supply chains, highlighting both successes and lessons learned. A moderated panel discussion will bring together industry leaders to explore common challenges, opportunities for collaboration, and pathways to scale circular solutions. In addition, expert insights will provide a broader perspective on emerging trends and innovation in circular economy practices. The session aims to inspire participants, spark dialogue, and equip attendees with tangible solutions they can apply within their own organisations. Dr Manuel Braun - Material Advantage: How Circularity and Collaboration Drive Business Value Phil LeBlanc - From Innovation to Standard Practice: Validation of Eco-engineered Cable and Scour Protection Solutions Daniël Biegel - Modular Spreaderbar Malo Degroux - Replacement of disposable ballast system by recoverable one for USBL calibration
Moderator
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Giulia Luerti
Assistant Technical Adviser – Environment and Sustainability, IMCA
Speakers
Lunch and exhibition
NGN Lunch
Marble Hall
Reflections on the last 2 days
Speakers
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Susannah Streeter
Host