Showcasing Irish Marine Innovation at Oceanology International
The Marine Institute and some of Ireland's most innovative marine technology organisations are in London this week at one of the leading global ocean technology events, Oceanology International, at ExCel London (March 15-17). They are promoting Ireland as a centre for innovation in the sea and as an ideal location to develop and test novel marine technology because of Ireland's marine research infrastructure and marine innovation clusters.
Dr. Edel O'Connor, Coordinator of the national marine technology programme said, "This is one of the largest ever representations of Irish organisations at Oceanology International. Irish companies are developing innovative products and services that are being exported internationally. The conditions are being put in place to ensure Ireland is at the forefront of expertise and investment opportunities in a growing global blue economy."
Ireland is developing a critical mass of research and innovation activities in marine technologies through the development of innovation clusters and investment in a suite of world-class test and development infrastructure. One such development, the SmartOcean initiative is building on Ireland's existing cohort of ICT and engineering SMEs and multinationals to drive innovation in new and unanticipated ways to support the sustainable development of its large-scale ocean territory and to develop products and services for the global blue economy.
The Ireland Pavilion includes Irish SMEs Geomara, JFC Marine, TFI Marine, SonarSim, Marine Technology Ltd., and the Entrepreneur Ship which represents a number of SMEs based on the IMERC campus in Cork. Irish research platforms and infrastructures will also be showcased as part of the Pavilion. These include the marine energy and ocean technologies test site and sub-sea cabled observatory in Galway Bay; the national marine research vessels, RV Celtic Explorer and RV Celtic Voyager; and INFOMAR, the national seabed mapping programme managed by the Marine Institute and Geological Survey of Ireland. Other Irish SMEs such as Cathx Ocean and IDS monitoring are also showcasing their innovative products and services at the trade show. This year the Marine Institute, Enterprise Ireland and IDA will also speak at the inaugural international trading sessions at the event to showcase Ireland as a destination for expertise in marine ICT.
Ends
Exhibitors on the Ireland Pavilion
| Organisation | Participants | Description on OI portal |
 |
Martin Wall Arnaud Disant (SeaTech) Ray Alcorn (Exceedance) |
'The Entrepreneur Ship is the world's first dedicated Blue Tech and Energy co-working space for startups and larger companies seeking touchdown space in Cork, Ireland. We are part of Ireland's Maritime Cluster, IMERC. Companies joining us on our stand include SEA-Tech, Exceedence and MUX'. |
 |
Noel Halloran Paul McEvoy Lawrie Stove |
'TfI Marine supplies elastomeric mooring tethers that reduce mooring loads by ~ 70% and protect against shock loads. They reduce both capital and maintenance costs and are available for use in mooring Data Buoys; Aquaculture Cages and Feed Barges; Marine Energy devices and Oil and Gas structures.' |
 |
Eoghan Lavelle | Established in 1980, Marine Technology Ltd is a precision engineering, design and development company. We specialise in the design and manufacture of bespoke marine projects, and across a range of other industries. We also specialise in batch production work of subsea components or one-off designs. |
 |
James Riordan Francis Flannery |
SonarSim provide smart software to improve the efficiency of underwater SONAR workflows & operations. We offer real-time Multibeam, Sidescan, & Imaging SONAR processing, automation & simulation solutions to support enhanced Hydrographic training, survey planning, mapping & security applications. |
 |
Colin Concannon Graham Brown |
JFC Marine offer an extensive range of floating buoy structures for both Navigation and Data buoy acquisitions. Our in-house R&D department are capable of providing custom build solutions integrating new technologies and data sensors, supplying real-time information to pilots at sea. |
 |
Eoghan Kieran Finn Delaney Conall O'Malley Kevin Whyte |
'Subsea Survey, Asset Protection and Intervention.' |
|
|
Edel O'Connor Caitriona Nic Aonghusa John Breslin Eleanor O'Rourke Aodhán Fitzgerald Tommy Furey Also in attendance: |
'The Marine Institute is promoting Irish marine research infrastructure; including the cabled seafloor observatory, national Research Vessels, the INFOMAR seabed mapping programme and the digital Ocean. SmartBay Ireland is the national test & demonstration facility for technology and ocean energy.' |
