17 Nov 2023

IMarEST supports largest ever IndoPacific 2023 and International Maritime Conference 2023

The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA),and Engineers Australia (EA) together successfully delivered the largest-ever International Maritime Conference (IMC) at the Sydney International Convention Centre last week.

The IMC was associated with the IndoPacific2023 Expo three day event which recorded over 27,000 attendees together with 832 exhibitors from 21 nations. There were also 171 defence, industry, government and academic delegations from 46 nations which included 25 Chiefs of Navy or their counterparts. All the halls at the ICC were full to capacity.

The IMC 2023 conference attracted 308 participants together with 70 papers over the three days with the Bob Campbell Prize for best paper of the Conference being “The Impacts of Operational Environments on Blast Survivability and Operational Performance” presented by Blake Burgess from DSTG.

Highlights of IndoPacific2023 included visits and presentations by the Acting Prime Minister the Hon Richard Marles MP in addition to Chief of Navy VADM Mark Hammond.

Highlights of the International Maritime Conference 2023 included presentations by Gwynne Lewis CEO of Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, Dr Todd Mansell from the Australian Submarine Agency and Associate Professor Warren Smith from UNSW Canberra. The IMC2023 event was smoothly facilitated by an organising Committee from the three sponsoring institutions ably led under the chairmanship of prominent naval architect and shipbuilder John Jeremy AM from The Royal Institution of Naval Architects.

President of the RINA Australian Division Jim Black noted the significant success of the conference:

My experience of the Conference was of so many good papers well presented and well attended, and both the Conference and the Exposition provided us with probably the best networking opportunity for naval architects and maritime professionals in Australia.

Gwynne Lewis, Chief Executive of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology, in his keynote speech observed: 

The IMarEST is delighted to have supported Indo-Pacific 2023 . Record interest in the conference and support for the exposition reflect the central role the maritime sector plays in the world today – our role within professional bodies is to continue supporting industry, especially important now as we tackle the future skills challenge.

Romilly Madew, CEO of Engineers Australia:

Engineers Australia recognises the high value of this conference to the Australian Maritime industry and was pleased to be able to contribute to its success

The three coordinating organisations will work together to make the next event even bigger and better and look forward to welcoming all to the Indo-Pacific / International Maritime Conference to be held 4 to 6 November 2025 in Sydney.