The 29th SNAME Offshore Symposium
The 29th SNAME Offshore Symposium, held in Houston on February 20th, drew a robust crowd of 135 participants representing the maritime and offshore industries. The symposium commenced with an informative opening address by David McKay of DNV, who provided insights into the current state and future trajectories towards achieving net zero in these sectors. Following this, a panel discussion engaged attendees with discussions on future O&G floater outlook, standardization efforts to improve efficiency, and the application of naval architecture in emerging offshore industries. During the lunch break, Dominique Roddier (Ocergy) delivered an engaging keynote speech, tracing the evolution of the floating wind industry and highlighting the challenges that must be addressed for its industrialization and large-scale installations.
The symposium also featured paper presentations covering a wide spectrum of topics, including offshore operations, renewables, and digital technologies. An industry deep dive panel focused on deep-sea minerals provided valuable perspectives on the necessity for their extraction, alongside discussions on the technical advancements and assurance frameworks required for their sustainable realization.
In addition to the formal sessions, attendees had the opportunity to engage with interesting student posters. The day concluded with a reception, fostering networking opportunities and informal discussions among participants. Overall, the symposium was a great platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration within the maritime and offshore communities.