OCEA UK Announced as Bronze Sponsor for the SMI Conference 2026

The Society of Maritime Industries (SMI) is pleased to welcome OCEA UK as a Bronze Sponsor for the SMI Conference 2026, taking place on 17 February 2026 at the University of Strathclyde’s Technology & Innovation Centre in Glasgow.

The SMI Conference brings together representatives from across industry, government, and the wider maritime sector to provide a forum for discussion, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.

OCEA UK is the British subsidiary of the international shipbuilding group OCEA, a global leader in the design and construction of aluminium vessels. With over 35 years of shipbuilding expertise, OCEA has delivered more than 400 vessels worldwide, supporting maritime security, defence, and sovereignty for partner nations across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific.

Through OCEA UK, OCEA has deepened cooperation with international partners, supported capability development, and provided reliable, future-ready naval platforms that enhance security at sea. The organisation will lend its expertise to the conference programme as shines a spotlight on the topic of industrial resilience, with Chief Executive of OCEA-UK, Ken, Houlberg, set to deliver an address entitled ‘Scaling for the Future Force’

On the support fromOCEA-UK, Tom Chant MBE, Chief Executive of SMI commented:

‘We thank OCEA-UK for their support of the event and look forward to Ken’s presentation. With sovereign capability and industrial resilience central themes of this year’s conference, OCEA-UK's insights will provide a valuable perspective for attending delegates.’

The SMI Conference 2026 will feature a programme of panel discussions, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities, providing delegates with the chance to engage with peers and explore developments across the maritime sector.

Further details of the SMI Conference 2026 programme can be found here.