IMCA Annual Seminar Returns to Singapore

With its theme ‘Addressing the Challenges of New Frontiers’ the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) Annual Seminar returns to Singapore after nine years with a programme that features keynote addresses, including one from a Senior Minister from the Republic of Singapore government; presentations, workshops and discussion.

Offshore and onshore management and operational personnel from contractors, equipment suppliers, consultants, oil companies and regulators involved in marine construction and offshore operations will gather at the Shangri-La Hotel on 6 and 7 November for two highly relevant conference days, for which delegates from all over the world are currently registering.

The proceedings will get under way on Wednesday 6 November when Massimo Fontolan of Saipem and the current IMCA President; Mrs Josephine Teo, Republic of Singapore, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transport; and Sean Salter of Woodside Energy deliver keynote addresses and take part in a panel discussion.

Networking is vital at events such as IMCA’s Annual Seminar, and networking innovator and motivator, Ed Meaney from CNA will lead a session on ‘Networking – capturing value by removing randomness’ providing insights and tips that will accelerate ‘value capture’ for individuals and their organisations. Thereafter he will be introducing the chairmen of session and encouraging participation by delegates.

The plenary session continues with three presentations: ‘Mutual aid in large-scale offshore incidents – a framework for the offshore oil and gas industry’ (Tore Ulleberg, ConocoPhillips Norge); ‘When things go wrong in offshore construction disputes – litigation, arbitration and mediation’ (William Cecil, Curtis Davis Gerrard LLP) and ‘Risk assessment of malaria offshore – anopheles bite exposure estimated by a new biomarker’ (Patrick Besnard Subsea 7).

Following the lunch break, taken in the exhibition area, the seminar then splits into three parallel sessions Marine, Diving, ROV/Offshore Survey; with workshops following on ‘The provision of armed guards on offshore vessels’; ‘Dive system assurance’; ‘Use of IMCA marine and other organisations’ guidance’; ‘Pipeline inspection – advanced AUV vs fast ROV’ and ‘Local content – how to make it work?’. After summaries of the workshops delegates will be transported to Sentosa Island for the Gala Dinner

Day Two

The morning plenary session on 7 November covers ‘In deep water: the challenges of performing environmental surveys at great depth’ (Geraint Harris-Bryant, Fugro EMU Ltd); ‘Deepwater lowering – a contractor weighing wires and winches’ (Kees van Zandwijk, Heerema Marine Contractors) and ‘The Maritime Labour Convention and its impact on marine contracting’ (Pierre Deletaille, Swire Pacific Offshore) after which the seminar splits once again into its three parallel sessions, reconvening for a second plenary session after lunch.

This second session features two presentations: ‘Synthentics in a controversial market’ (Joost van Ree, Endenburg BV); and ‘New frontiers – marine contracting in changing environments’ (Bionda van Roosendal, Heerema Marine Contractors); and then the seminar once again splits into workshops, this time looking at ‘DP incident reporting’, ‘Hyperbaric evacuation in remote locations’, ‘Technical competence of ROV & offshore personnel’, ‘Learning from incidents – case study?’ and ‘Maritime Labour Convention – MLC’. Following summaries on these workshops and on the seminar as a whole, the event closes with the Apres Seminar Soiree.

IMCA’s Annual Seminar is endorsed by ADC International; the Australasian Hydrographic Society; the Dynamic Positioning Committee MTS, the International Association of Drilling Contractors, IOSH, National University of Singapore Marine Institute, OCIMF, OGP and the Society for Underwater Technology, Subsea Energy Australia, and Petromin, the offshore support journal. The social events are sponsored by Forum Energy Technologies, Griffin Global Group and Etihad Airways, and the National Hyperbaric Centre (NHC).

Dynamic and relevant exhibition – information on some of the exhibits

Over 30 member companies will demonstrate their products and services at the exhibition during breakout periods from the conference. Several have supplied information on the key focus of their exhibit.

More info

Press Release, October 17, 2013