Canada’s premiere Conference & Exhibition event Ocean Innovation 2005 is expected to attract significant national and international interest this year, given its focus on operational challenges in northern waters and, in particular, the Northwest Passage. Demand for world maritime trade is growing rapidly and with it, interest in more economical and timely transportation solutions. The world-renowned specialists will be speaking on topics ranging from climate change, ice retreat and Arctic science, to Arctic vessel design, operations in ice-infested waters and territorial and sovereignty issues. The official theme for this year’s conference (23-26 October in Québec) is Operational Challenges in Northern Waters.

With a strong technical programme, the main plenary is expected to be an educational experience for all, with a series of world-class presentations that will help answer some key questions facing the arctic oceans community: when will the Northwest Passage open to commercial traffic? Which critical ocean technologies are needed to operate in the Arctic? What services and products will be required to support a new trade route through the Canadian Arctic? What are the shipping industry and classification societies saying about it? What are the associated economic, environmental, territorial, sovereignty and security issues?

As always, the goal of Ocean Innovation is to provide a unique opportunity for industry, government and academic representatives to develop new business and collaborative activities, to network within a captive audience and to help promote the merits of Canadian ocean technologies to the world. With delegate registration increasing on a daily basis, the ocean community is encouraged to register early for this important national summit on marine transportation in northern waters.

Contact Adam Dutton, CCMC Event Coordinator, ph +1 709 758 8365.