We are delighted to announce the shortlisted entries for the 2025 IMCA Awards, reflecting the outstanding quality of projects submitted across all six categories.
This year’s entries impressed the judging panels with their innovation, measurable impact, and commitment to excellence within the offshore and marine sector. It has been a real pleasure to see the dedication and creativity of the individuals and teams celebrated, and we look forward to announcing the winners at the Gala Dinner, at the IMCA Global Summit in KL, Malaysia, on 26-27 November 2025.
Health and Safety Project of the Year shortlist – sponsored by KB Associates
Boskalis: Back to Basics Safety Campaign – “BOKAFLIX” Series
The “Back to Basics Safety Campaign – BOKAFLIX” is a global, multi-year initiative by Boskalis Offshore Energy to reinforce fundamental safety behaviours. Launched with a foundation booklet in 2024, it evolved into quarterly episodes covering key safety topics, supported by eLearning, podcasts, and interactive activities. The campaign emphasises supervisor-led engagement and personal accountability, aiming to embed a learning culture and align behaviours with industry standards. Its impact includes improved safety awareness, proactive interventions, increased reporting, and a shift from compliance to shared responsibility, with strong uptake and positive feedback across the organisation.
Saipem: Fail Safe with Human Performance
Fail Safe with Human Performance is a multi-year programme embedding human performance principles and a “Fail Safe” mindset across the organisation. Inspired by Dr. Todd Conklin’s Five Principles, it promotes learning, resilience, and proactive safeguards, shifting focus from “fail lucky” to “fail safe” outcomes. Through an award-winning film named “fail safe”, workshops, and global training, it fosters open dialogue, strengthens barriers, and positions Saipem as a pioneer in safety innovation and culture transformation.
Subsea7: Echo Talk 7
Echo Talk 7 is a crew-led safety initiative launched during the Rosmari Marjoram project to overcome language barriers in toolbox talks. By training “echo talk buddies” to reiterate safety messages in native languages, the program improved clarity, inclusivity, and participation among 85 crew members speaking 23 languages. This led to a 41-day ‘Goal Zero’ streak, industry recognition, and a stronger, more engaged safety culture offshore. Buddies are identified by helmet stickers and trained to deliver key safety points clearly and confidently. Echo Talk 7 exemplifies innovation in frontline engagement, bridging communication gaps and reinforcing the principle that safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Project of the Year – sponsored by McDermott
BSM: OceanOpt – Emission Excellence for Cleaner Oceans
OceanOpt was shortlisted for its pioneering emissions management platform, which is transforming maritime decarbonisation and compliance. It automates regulatory reporting for IMO DCS, EU MRV, EU ETS, and FuelEU, eliminating manual risk and boosting accuracy. Beyond compliance, OceanOpt drives sustainability by optimising emissions, reducing costs, and supporting IMO 2030/2050 goals. Key features include integration with verifiers and registries, voyage optimisation, biofuel simulations, and the innovative FuelEU Pooling Marketplace, alongside targeted decarbonisation training for crews and managers.
Global Maritime: Pollution Prevention Management System (PPMS)
Global Maritime’s PPMS sets an auditable baseline for environmental compliance on marine assets, offering ship-specific training, documentation, and guidance for MARPOL-compliant equipment. It minimises pollution risk through best-in-class procedures and a vessel scoring system, ensuring ongoing staff development with real-time MARPOL training. PPMS identifies areas for environmental improvement, reduces costs, and provides evidence of proactive pollution prevention, lowering the risk of regulatory penalties. The judges found it highly replicable across marine projects and adaptable for broader industry use for its promotion of behavioural change, and enabling of operators to demonstrate high environmental standards, ultimately improving sustainability and accountability across the maritime sector.
Saipem: EmiRed™
EmiRed™ revolutionises project design by integrating greenhouse gas (GHG) estimation and reduction strategies from the outset, using a validated framework and digital platform aligned with ISO 14064 and the GHG Protocol. It supports technology selection, benchmarking, and consistent application across sectors, enhancing decision-making and sustainability. Demonstrated impacts include significant GHG reductions in LNG, offshore, and ammonia projects. EmiRed™ also addresses supply chain emissions and supports credible Net Zero roadmaps. Its scalable, data-driven approach sets a benchmark for measurable, replicable decarbonisation, combining sustainability leadership with operational and cost efficiency. The judges appreciated the demonstration of impacts in this submission which showed clear and measurable outcomes by adding real life case studies.
Health and Safety Project of the Year shortlist – sponsored by KB Associates
DOF Brazil: Zero Waste Project
DOF Brazil launched the Zero Waste Project to address the global challenge of inadequate waste management, which impacts both natural resources and human health. The company implemented a Zero Waste Management System across its 23 vessels, guided by the 9Rs: Refuse, Rethink/Redesign, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, Repair, Restore, Remanufacture, and Recycle. This initiative aims to maximise waste utilisation and minimise waste generation, aligning with circular economy principles. DOF pursued Zero Waste certification to validate its practices, demonstrating leadership in sustainability and commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Fugro: BeWild
BeWild brings together Fugro, The Rich North Sea, Wageningen University, CrossWind Offshore Wind, Mecal, and Seekable to develop a remote system that integrates ecological monitoring with subsea asset inspection in a single operation. Using environmental DNA, computer vision, and machine learning from uncrewed vessels, BeWild enables non-invasive biodiversity studies around marine infrastructure. The project demonstrates how innovation in offshore operations can enhance infrastructure integrity while supporting marine ecosystem health and long-term biodiversity monitoring.
RWE: SeaMe (Sustainable Ecosystem Approach in Monitoring the Marine Environment)
SeaMe is RWE’s pioneering offshore monitoring project that redefines how we protect marine biodiversity. Using drones, underwater robots, cameras, and eDNA sampling powered by artificial intelligence, SeaMe replaces traditional, intrusive survey methods with a cleaner, smarter, and safer solution. Piloted at the Kaskasi Wind Farm, the project enables continuous, non-invasive monitoring, cuts carbon emissions, and sets new standards for sustainable offshore wind operations.
Health and Safety Project of the Year shortlist – sponsored by KB Associates
Falcon Subsea: "OPTIMUS" (Controlled and Conditioned Cabin Environment for Supervisor)
The OPTIMUS SRP is an innovative, weather-protected, and air-conditioned cabin designed to enhance supervisor comfort and safety during diving operations in extreme climates. By integrating advanced safety, functionality, and operational flexibility, it addresses industry challenges and complies with IMCA guidelines. The project was inspired by diving incidents where environmental conditions affected supervisor focus and team coordination. As a first-of-its-kind solution, OPTIMUS sets a new standard for SRP diving, improving sustainability by ensuring supervisors maintain optimal performance and safety, regardless of harsh environmental factors.
Interocean: Digital Asset Management
Interocean’s Digital Asset Management initiative revolutionises offshore asset integrity by integrating 3D scanning, digital twins, AI-driven predictive modelling, and UAV-based inspections. This approach enables real-time condition assessment, risk-based maintenance, and minimises offshore personnel exposure. Early results show a 15% reduction in maintenance budgets, 20% lower inventory value, and up to 50% fewer equipment failures. Over the asset lifecycle, costs may drop by 65%, with insurance premiums reduced by 10%. The system enhances safety, extends asset life, and supports sustainable, data-driven operations aligned with energy transition goals. The judges appreciated this solution to confined space entry as a good move towards preventing fatalities.
Unique Group: Human Support and Safety System for deep water Manned Submersible
Unique Group engineered and delivered India’s first DNV-certified Human Support and Safety System (HSSS) for the MATSYA 6000, the nation’s Manned Submersible under Samudrayaan Mission. Designed for 6,000 meters operations within a 2.1m personnel sphere, the system ensures 12 hours of operational endurance and 96 hours of emergency backup. Incorporating in-house innovations such as high efficiency CO₂ scrubbers and dehumidifiers, achieving over 50% performance gains, significantly reducing consumable use, maintenance costs, and environmental impact - setting new global benchmarks in sustainable deep-sea life support technology.
The judges found this project was an important technical reference point, able to inform future subsea and research applications, offering limited scalability but strong long-term benefits.
People Development Project of the Year – sponsored by MISC
McDermott: Advancing Engineering Excellence Through People
The Great Place to Work certification benchmarks McDermott in people development by cultivating local talent and reducing reliance on expatriates, making them a global execution hub. As a result hundreds of engineers, procurement leads, and even tax specialists have progressed into roles that drive global energy projects. As a result of this project McDermott’s Kuala Lumpur office has grown from 30 to over 1,000 employees, becoming a leading engineering hub certified as a Great Place to Work in 2025. The initiative centres on developing Malaysian engineering talent through graduate programs, recruitment, training, mentorship, and leadership development. This inclusive, people-first approach has produced global project leaders and a resilient talent pipeline. By nurturing local talent and reducing reliance on expatriates, this sustainable model retains expertise in-country, supports industry growth, and strengthens Malaysia’s competitiveness in energy infrastructure.
QSTAR: ROV Training Excellence Programme
QSTAR ROV Training Centre’s Training Excellence & Internship Programme delivers ROV training enhanced with advanced modules in electronics, hydraulics, and subsea communications. Through an e-learning campus active for over eight years, QSTAR has provided worldwide access for professionals for over a decade. A distinctive feature is the six-month on-the-job training programme, through which selected graduates join QSTAR as ROV Pilot Technician Trainees within its ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001-certified ROV construction department. QSTAR has provided ROV Pilot Training to the Spanish, French, and Colombian navies, law enforcement bodies, Police forces, SAR rescue units such and numerous offshore contractors.
Simwave: Dynamic Positioning (DP) Introduction course for future Brazilian cadets
Since 2024, Simwave has offered a free DP Introduction courses to Brazilian maritime academy students, addressing the lack of DP training in their curriculum. The initiative aims to provide foundational knowledge about DP and offshore activities, with 153 students participating so far. While short-term impact is hard to measure, the course is expected to motivate cadets to pursue further DP knowledge and better prepare them for offshore careers. High enthusiasm and strong attendance indicate positive reception and potential for long-term safety improvements in the industry.
Rising Star Award – sponsored by Hibiscus Petroleum
ADNOC: Sherifa Yousif Abdulla
Sherifa Yousif Abdulla stood out as the first female Emirati officer on an ADNOC Logistics & Services commercial vessel, symbolising inclusion and progress. She demonstrates initiative and passion through her mastery of navigation, cargo operations, and safety, while advancing collaboration and respect among crew. Her rapid rise from cadet to officer showcases resilience and a drive to learn. Sherifa’s presence is seen as a source of inspiration for other Emirati women to pursue maritime careers. Her nomination also stood out to judges for the praise she received for her operational excellence, leadership, and her inspirational attitude, encouraging diversity and new opportunities in the maritime industry.
Subsea 7: Joshua Taylor Buchan
Joshua’s submission for the Rising Star Award stemmed from his performance on the numerous assignments he has undertaken since joining Subsea7’s Offshore Delivery Group in 2024. These assignments have allowed Joshua to display his maturity, attention to detail, and commitment, despite his young age. His hard work and dedication will see him promoted to Engineer Level 1 and become a permanent part of the Diving Group as a Diving Operations Engineer, continuing to support Subsea7’s Diving Group in their global delivery of Diving operations.
TMT: Phillip Higham
Since commencing his apprenticeship with T TMT, Philip has rapidly progressed into a highly capable and trusted professional. Now a recognised subject matter expert on complex subsea systems, including the Subsea Intervention Device and AXE Wellhead Severance Tool, he exemplifies initiative, technical excellence, and leadership potential. Phil’s methodical approach, reliability, and commitment to safety consistently elevate team performance and client confidence, marking him as an emerging leader and a true rising star within TMT.
The judges were impressed by the high quality of this year’s entries, which demonstrated exceptional innovation, creativity and, most importantly, dedication to safety, sustainability, and innovation.
Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination and many congratulations to our finalists.
