Seawork Awards 2026: Celebrating Innovation and Excellence Across the Maritime Sector

The Seawork Awards are open for entries and nominations. The Innovations Showcase, a flagship feature of Seawork and an integral part of the Seawork Awards, once again takes centre stage in 2026 — with its categories proudly sponsored by the Society of Maritime Industries (SMI). As the voice of the UK’s maritime engineering supply chain, SMI plays a pivotal role in promoting innovation, collaboration, and global competitiveness, making its support of these awards a natural fit.

Forming a core pillar of the Seawork Awards, the Innovations Showcase attracts international attention from engineers, naval architects, and pioneering SMEs. It provides a powerful platform for launching new technologies and solutions that drive efficiency, safety, and sustainability across the commercial marine sector. With SMI’s backing, these Innovation Award categories highlight the cutting-edge developments shaping the future of the industry.

This year’s Innovation categories, all part of the Seawork Awards, include:

• Subsea & Underwater Intervention
• Vessel Design & Construction
• Marine Equipment & Electronics
• Marine Power & Propulsion
• Autonomous & Remote Operations
• Security & Safety
• Superyacht Connect
• Environmental & Renewable Energy
• Overall Spirit of Innovation

Each year, the awards recognise the outstanding creativity, expertise, and commitment driving progress across the commercial marine industry in the People & Places Categories.

Entries are invited across the following awards:

• Maritime Sustainability Award, sponsored by Suzuki, Clean Ocean Project
• Marine Civils Best Project Award
• Young Person's Development Award
• Maritime Professional of the Year Award
• Outstanding Contribution Award
• Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Mercator Media

Together, the full Seawork Awards programme — including the SMI-sponsored Innovation categories — shines a spotlight on the individuals and organisations reshaping the future of the workboat sector, from groundbreaking product design to personal excellence and leadership.

Two of the most prestigious individual accolades — the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Spirit of Innovation Award — continue to champion the diversity, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit found throughout the sector. These honours recognise not only exceptional personal achievement, but also the collaboration and forward-thinking mindset that underpin the industry’s continued success.

With nominations and entries now open, Seawork invites exhibitors, industry professionals, and colleagues from across the commercial marine and workboat sectors to put forward their candidates and innovations.

Winners will be announced at the Seawork Awards ceremony sponsored by Nova Shipyards, held at the Waterfront Restaurant on the opening evening of Seawork, 9 June 2026 — a key moment to celebrate excellence and reconnect with peers from across the global maritime community.

To submit your entry or nomination, visit the Seawork Awards page where you’ll find full details and entry forms.