Future-ready navies to take centre stage at INEC26
Future-ready navies and the challenges shaping maritime defence will be centre stage at the International Naval Engineering Conference and International Ship Control Systems Symposium (INEC/iSCSS), taking place from 10-12 November 2026 at the University of Edinburgh.
Hosted by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) and with headline sponsorship from BAE Systems, the 18th edition of the flagship naval engineering conference INEC will explore the "Seven Cs" influencing naval capability in the coming decades: Competition, Collaboration, Capability, Compliance, Connectedness, Crewing and Climate.
INEC/iSCSS26 will gather over 300 people from 25 countries for three packed days of discussions, networking and inspiring conversations that will showcase excellence in the global naval engineering arena.
Organised by the Naval Engineering Special Interest Group (SIG) at the IMarEST, INEC26 will once again incorporate iSCSS, providing a valuable platform for designers, engineers, operators, researchers and maintainers involved throughout the lifecycle of maritime assets. iSCSS 2026 will look at topics based on the theme 'Future-Proofing Secure, Smart and Sustainable Ship Control'.
“Join the discussion” says Captain Neil McCallum RN, Chair of INEC and senior naval advisor to the National Armaments International team. “The present rate of change is exciting, but it comes with challenges. Often a quick solution is not the enduring one or suited to all the differing operating theatres and threats we may face tomorrow, but inaction is not an option”.
Captain Rinze Geertsma, chair of the iSCSS and associate professor at the Netherlands Defence Academy adds: “With the introduction of the hybrid navy in the UK and the maritime uncrewed programme in the Netherlands, Ship Control System development is taking centre stage in Naval Engineering. If you want to stay updated on developments in autonomy Edinburgh is the place to be”, says
The conference has already secured an impressive line-up of keynote speakers, including Rear Admiral Rachel Durbin FIMarEST, Head of Navy Engineering for the Royal Australian Navy, and Captain Mo Magzoub OBE, Head of Force Development for the Royal Navy and Sir Simon Lister from BAE Systems. INEC/iSCSS26 will also welcome L3 Harris and SSI EMEA as Key Sponsors, and Damen Naval, GE Vernova and Konsgberg as Supporting Sponsors.
Jo Lewis, director of engagement at IMarEST, said: ”Bringing our community together has never been more important as we face digital and green transitions in our society. These challenges increasingly lead to complex ship power systems and bring with them opportunities to develop crew skills through new technologies.”
