Celebrating Excellence: The Winners of the 2025 IMCA Awards

The IMCA Awards 2025 once again highlighted the depth of expertise, innovation, and commitment across our global membership. Announced during the Gala Dinner at the IMCA Global Summit in Kuala Lumpur, this year’s winners demonstrated how our industry continues to advance safety, sustainability, digitalisation, and workforce development.

This year’s IMCA Awards attracted a record number of entries from Members operating across the offshore energy sector. Judges noted an exceptional standard across all categories, with many submissions presenting clear, verifiable improvements in safety performance, environmental stewardship, digital capability, and workforce development.

"This year’s entries demonstrated clear, verifiable progress in areas fundamental to the future of marine contracting."

IMCA extends its sincere thanks to our sponsors—KB Associates, McDermott, Cornerstone Offshore, Unidive Subsea, MISC, and Hibiscus Petroleum—whose support enables the Awards programme each year. Their partnership helps IMCA celebrate and share good practice across our international community.

Health and Safety Project of the Year – Sponsored by KB Associates

Winner: Saipem – Fail Safe with Human Performance

Saipem’s multi-year programme was recognised for embedding human performance principles across its global operations, shifting the organisation from “fail lucky” to “fail safe.” The judges highlighted its award-winning training film, widespread implementation through workshops and global training, and its ability to strengthen operational barriers and foster meaningful learning at all levels.

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Project of the Year – Sponsored by McDermott

Winner: BSM – OceanOpt – Emission Excellence for Cleaner Oceans

BSM’s OceanOpt platform was selected for delivering a step-change in emissions optimisation and regulatory compliance. The judging panel highlighted its comprehensive automation of IMO DCS, EU MRV, EU ETS, and FuelEU reporting, alongside advanced voyage optimisation, biofuel modelling, and the innovative FuelEU Pooling Marketplace. The project demonstrates clear alignment with IMO 2030 and 2050 targets.

Environmental Sustainability Project of the Year – Sponsored by Cornerstone Offshore

Winner: RWE – SeaMe

RWE’s SeaMe initiative was commended for redefining offshore biodiversity monitoring using AI-enabled drones, subsea robotics, and eDNA sampling. Judges praised its ability to replace intrusive, carbon-intensive survey methods with a continuous, non-invasive monitoring system piloted at the Kaskasi Wind Farm, setting a new benchmark for sustainable offshore operations.

Innovation and Technology Project of the Year – Sponsored by Unidive Subsea

Winner: Interocean – Digital Asset Management

Interocean’s digital asset management solution was recognised for integrating digital twins, 3D scanning, UAV inspections, and AI-driven predictive modelling to significantly improve integrity assurance. Judges noted the project’s measurable safety benefits, including reduced confined space entry and its impact on lowering maintenance budgets, inventory costs, and equipment failure rates.

People Development Project of the Year – Sponsored by MISC

Winner: McDermott – Advancing Engineering Excellence Through People

McDermott received the award for its long-term commitment to developing local engineering capability in Malaysia. Judges praised its structured graduate programmes, leadership pathways, and the organisation’s designation as a certified Great Place to Work. The initiative has supported the expansion of McDermott’s Kuala Lumpur office from 30 to more than 1,000 employees, strengthening national talent pipelines.

Rising Star Award – Sponsored by Hibiscus Petroleum

Winner: ADNOC – Sherifa Yousif Abdulla

Sherifa Yousif Abdulla was honoured for her exemplary professionalism and rapid advancement as the first Emirati female officer on an ADNOC Logistics & Services commercial vessel. The judges highlighted her strong operational competence, leadership, and the inspiration she provides for future talent entering the maritime sector.

We are proud to celebrate achievements that raise expectations for performance across the global marine contracting community.

The judging panels reported an exceptional standard across all categories. This year’s submissions demonstrated clear, measurable progress in areas fundamental to the industry’s future, including emissions reduction, strengthened frontline safety, scaled digitalisation, and the expansion of high-quality workforce development pathways. Collectively, these projects reflect a sector investing in capability, innovation, and operational excellence with a level of maturity not seen in previous years.

Our Chief Executive, Iain Grainger, stated on the night: “This year’s winners exemplify the highest standards of professionalism and technical excellence in our industry. Their work demonstrates how disciplined innovation, strong safety leadership, and a commitment to environmental stewardship can deliver measurable, meaningful progress offshore. I want to thank our Members for the calibre of their submissions and for their continued engagement in IMCA’s mission. As we look ahead, we are determined to build on this momentum and support the industry in achieving even greater levels of performance, resilience, and operational integrity.”

About the IMCA Awards

The IMCA Awards recognise outstanding contributions to safety, sustainability, innovation, and workforce development within the global marine contracting industry. Each submission is evaluated by independent judging panels drawn from IMCA’s technical committees, using criteria that include technical innovation, measurable operational impact, replicability, and alignment with IMCA guidance.

The Awards form an important part of IMCA’s mission to improve performance and promote shared learning across the marine contracting community.