Subsea Expo 2022 is set to welcome more than 3,000 guests this week as the annual conference and exhibition returns to Aberdeen, marking the first major in-person industry event since the pandemic-imposed lockdowns.

Organised by the Global Underwater Hub (GUH), the three-day event will welcome UK and international delegates to Aberdeen’s P&J Live from 22 – 24 February with more than 110 companies exhibiting.

This year’s theme of ‘Oceans of Opportunity’ will engage delegates in discussions around how the UK’s underwater industry can capitalise on the global blue economy, the underwater segment of which is set to grow from £50bn to £140bn by 2035.

Ivan McKee MSP, the minister for business, trade, tourism and enterprise, will give the opening address at the plenary session with speakers from Royal Navy, Aker Offshore Wind, the Marine Energy Council, Salmon Scotland and Global Underwater Hub highlighting opportunities in the renewables, defence and aquaculture sectors.

Richard Lochhead MSP, the minister for just transition, employment and fair work will kick-off proceedings on the second day of the event, providing the opening address ahead of a session on energy transition, which will also feature presentations from Crondall Energy, Havfram UK, National Subsea Centre and ORION.

Subsea Expo 2022 comes two years after more than 6,600 delegates attended the last event, one of the biggest attendances in the event’s 15-year history and one of the final industry events to take place before lockdown.

Neil Gordon, chief executive of the GUH, said: “Despite the coronavirus pandemic continuing to limit international travel, we’ve seen a great uptake in registrations for Subsea Expo 2022 and have exhibitors from across the subsea supply chain attending.

“This reinforces the appetite from industry to come together in person, to re-establish contacts, make new connections and showcase new technology as we look towards an incredibly exciting time for the industry.

“Subsea Expo has always facilitated meaningful industry discussion, valuable contacts and cross-sector collaboration through information sharing. These are needed more now than ever before.”

The Subsea UK Awards winners will be announced at a prestigious ceremony at P&J Live on Wednesday, February 23. These awards recognise the achievements of companies and individuals helping ensure the UK maintains its reputation as a global centre of excellence in subsea.

More than 100 school pupils are expected to attend Subsea Expo on February 24, as part of the first My Energy Future LIVE event, designed to showcase the opportunities a career in energy can offer. Formerly known as Energise Your Future, My Energy Future LIVE brings together the next generation of talent and industry experts, giving pupils the chance to explore the exciting career opportunities available across the oil and gas, hydrogen, carbon capture usage and storage and offshore wind.

The event will see young people work in teams to complete various exciting STEM challenges with tasks being delivered by Scottish STEM education charity TechFest, STEM Ambassadors in Scotland and The Royal Navy, in partnership with OPITO and Global Underwater Hub.

Sponsors of Subsea Expo 2022 include Baker Hughes, Vaarst, Verlume, Energy Voice, Havfram UK, Scottish Development International, Piper Sandler, Subsea 7 and Viper Innovations.

Entrance to the exhibition and conference is free of charge. Pre-registration is recommended via the website – www.subseaexpo.com