Antwerp welcomes global marine industry leaders for IMCA Global Summit 2026

International summit brings offshore expertise to the city for discussions on safety, skills, innovation and sustainability

Antwerp will welcome hundreds of international marine industry leaders and technical specialists when the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) holds its Global Summit at A Room with a ZOO on 28–29 October 2026.

The association’s flagship event will bring together the people responsible for delivering offshore projects around the world, with a programme exploring how the sector can improve safety, develop its workforce and respond to technological and environmental change. IMCA will also unveil its 2030 strategy during the two-day conference.

As home to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges and a thriving maritime and industrial ecosystem, Antwerp provides a fitting backdrop for discussions on the future of offshore operations. The city's strengths in logistics, engineering, energy transition and innovation create a natural connection with the challenges and opportunities facing the global marine contracting industry.

Discussions will cover the application of artificial intelligence offshore, developments in remote and subsea operations, offshore wind and the changing demands on the marine workforce. Delegates will also explore practical approaches to decarbonisation, safety and security, alongside the skills needed to support the industry’s future.

Veerle Peeters, Interim Director of Antwerp Convention Bureau, said: “We are delighted to welcome IMCA's global community to Antwerp. As a city shaped by its port, maritime expertise and international connections, Antwerp offers a natural setting for conversations about the future of the marine industry.

“At Antwerp Convention Bureau, we believe international conferences create the greatest value when they connect with the destination's own strengths. IMCA's Global Summit is a great example of how a global industry can come together in a city that understands its challenges, while offering delegates an inspiring experience beyond the conference itself.”

The programme will also feature cave diver Chris Jewell, who played a central role in the 2018 rescue of the boys and their football coach from Thailand’s flooded Tham Luang cave system. His contribution will explore leadership, resilience, teamwork and performing under pressure.

The summit also offers delegates opportunities to discover Antwerp beyond the meeting rooms. From a morning run through the historic city centre to a visit to Antwerp ZOO, the programme encourages participants to experience the destination alongside their professional exchanges.

The combination of conference sessions at A Room with a ZOO and an evening celebration at Grand Café Horta introduces delegates to two of Antwerp's distinctive venues, bringing together the city's architectural heritage, hospitality and contemporary meeting facilities.

For further information, visit the IMCA Global Summit 2026 website.