Regional Meetings: Bringing our Members together

IMCA’s Regional Meetings bring Members together to explore the key issues facing the industry.  

They are not only an opportunity to hear first-hand from our team of technical experts on recent industry developments, they also offer attendees the chance to build vital connections. With guest-speakers invited from the offshore sector sharing their expertise and insight, they are must-attend dates in the industry calendar. 

Book your place now for IMCA’s upcoming Regional Meetings in Q3 and Q4 2023. Agenda details will be shared soon for Dubai, UAE (12 October), Houston, USA (2 November), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (8 November).

Returning to Singapore, IMCA’s Asia Pacific Regional Meeting took place at the Fullerton Hotel. Regional committee Chair, Darren Brunton (KB Associates) welcomed more than 100 delegates from across the region. 

As well as updates on IMCA activity from Rhys Jones, Technical Adviser – Marine Renewable Energy, and a membership update from Director of Jason Veerasingam, Director of Client Engagement – Asia-Pacific, attendees heard from Bryan McGlinchy, Diving Manager on upcoming updates to Diving at the IMO and Iain Grainger recently appointed CEO of IMCA. 

The meeting also welcomed guest presentations with Debbi Garreffa (MMA Offshore) sharing the IMCA Award winning Target 365 Leadership Engagement Programme, and Ku Fazli Shah (Petronas) who explored the current challenges in offshore project execution in Malaysia. 

Rhys Jones said: “Thank you to both the speakers and delegates for an engaging regional meeting. Asia Pacific is a vital region – with its own specific circumstances – but it was clear from the knowledge and experience in the room that our Members will be able to find the solutions to unlock a new energy mix. The power of collaboration was a key personal take away and I am looking forward to returning to Asia soon to assist in driving these solutions.”

The first in-person meeting for IMCA’s Europe and Africa region since December 2020, the event took place at the Simwave training centre in Rotterdam. IMCA E&A chair Cinthya Lopes (Simwave) led attendees on a behind the scenes tour of the dedicated training facility. 

Prior to this, attendees heard from new IMCA CEO Iain Grainger on his views of the industry and outline plans for IMCA. Mary Ntamark, Technical Adviser – Environmental Sustainability at IMCA, shared an overview of upcoming activity in her area.  

Finally, Matthijs van der More (DEME Offshore) shared a fascinating presentation looking at how simulators can be used to assess marine accidents and prevent repeat incidents. He focused on two incidents where two different vessels had struck the same bridge within a three-month period, and how DEME has used a simulator to analyse root causes. 

Mary Ntamark said: “On behalf of IMCA, I’d like to thank Simwave for welcoming Members to their impressive facility and for giving us an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour. It was a great way of bringing to life some of the training and safety issues we face as an industry, and on a personal level, a wonderful opportunity to be allowed to steer a vessel – albeit virtually!” 

IMCA will be hosting the next Europe & Africa Regional Meeting in Africa next year.