Located on the Baltic Sea, Rostock is becoming a global hotspot for underwater technology. At the heart of this transformation is the Ocean Technology Campus Rostock – a hub where science, industry, and innovation converge to develop the next generation of subsea solutions.
With cutting-edge labs, open test infrastructure, and strong links to the marine environment, Rostock offers ideal conditions for sustainable and high-impact technologies. A growing network of start-ups, research institutes, and established companies makes it a prime location for innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
We invite you to attend our yearly event:
🗓 04–05 November 2025
📍 HanseMesse Rostock
This international conference brings together experts from business, science, and politics to explore the latest trends and solutions in underwater technology.
What to expect:
170+ participants from 8+ nations
Keynotes & panels from industry and academia
B2B matchmaking & networking
Start-up showcase & tech exhibition
Broad media coverage
Strong political and institutional presence
Organised by the Subsea Monitoring Network, Fraunhofer IGD, University of Rostock, and Rostock Business, the event positions Rostock as Germany’s leading centre for digital underwater innovation.
Let’s shape the future of ocean technology – together.
💳 Ticket Prices:
Standard Price: €298 (excl. 19% VAT)
Member Price: €248 (excl. 19% VAT)
Members of the Subsea Monitoring Network (SMN) and the Gesellschaft für maritime Technik (GMT) can request the promo code for the reduced ticket price from their respective contact person.
Looking to expand your network, find new partners, or explore collaboration opportunities?
The B2B Matchmaking at the Rostock Ocean Convention 2025 offers a structured way to connect with relevant contacts from industry, research, and politics.
👉 Register for matchmaking, set up one-on-one meetings in advance, and use the event to build lasting partnerships.
As of October 10, 2025
🕧 11:00
🔹Welcome Coffee & registration & Exhibition
🕧 12:00
🔹Greetings & warmly welcome
Uwe Freiherr von Lukas & Jochen Schulte
🕧 12:30–14:00
🔹Ocean Innovation: The role of governmental bodies
How political frameworks and decisions enable innovation in complex areas such as UXO recovery.
Moderation: Uwe Freiherr von Lukas
Panelist:
Ralf Gebel, Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt
StS Jochen Schulte, Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Infrastruktur, Tourismus und Arbeit Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Thomas Dehling, BSH
Henning von Nordheim, Universität Rostock, NABU
14:00 – 14:30 Coffee & Networking
🕝 14:30–16:00
🔹Ocean Innovation: The role of real-World Laboratories
Offshore test environments as key enablers for turning research into applied solutions.
Moderation: Peter Menzel
Speaker:
Sascha Krohmann, Fraunhofer IGD
Daniel Heyes, CMMI
Kay Domke, SVA Potsdam
Arne Hestnes, Kongsberg Discovery
🕔 17:00–18:30
🔹Ocean Innovation: The Role of collaboration structures
The power of clusters, networks, and co-creation in scaling up marine technologies.
Moderator: Enrico Nake (introductory remarks and moderation of the panel discussion)
Panelist:
Franziska Schmacka, Ocean Technology Campus Rostock
Daniel Woods, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton
Magdalena Wójtowicz, Incubator Starter Polen
Warner Brückmann, Geomar
Michel Lechmann, COVE
18:00
Keynote: Melanie Nadeau, CEO COVE
🍽️ 19:00–22:30
Evening Reception
Fischbratküche, Warnowpier 431, Rostock
🕘 09:00–10:00
Parallel Sessions:
🔹Ocean Data
AI and digital twins driving smarter ocean monitoring
Moderation: Stefan Oehmke
Speaker:
Arne Hestnes, Kongsberg Discovery - “Sensor networks with seabed cables”
Björn Mörer, Julius Marine - “Digitization of oceans, lakes and rivers, data collection using data buoys”
Anders Tengberg, Xylem - “Methodas to measure sediment concentration and transport in turbid waters”
Helmut Tödtmann, Fraunhofer IGD - “The challenges of underwater computer vision in theage of AI”
🔹Ocean under stress (Plastics, UXO, Underwater Noise)
Addressing plastics, UXO, and biodiversity monitoring
Moderation: Tamara Spiegl
Speaker:
Lindy Weilgart, Dalhousie University, - "The Impact of Human-Caused Ocean Noise Pollution on Marine Animals and Ecosystems with Quieting Solutions"
Anna Canning, Atrium Environmental, - "Sustainability as Strategy: Rethinking Business in the Blue Economy"
Freddy Knutsen, RTS Goby® Wave Charger, - "Goby® Wave Charger"
Karoline Schacht, WWF - “GhostNetZero.ai How to use AI to fight ghostnets”
10:00 – 10:30 Coffee & Networking
🕥 10:30–11:30
Parallel Sessions:
🔹Beyond Traditional Applications: innovative offshore technologies
Offshore technologies in energy, aquaculture & emerging sectors
Moderator: Stephanie Juhnke
Speaker:
Sören Themann, Subsea Europe Services/R3Vox - "Voxometer - Next level surveying"
Simon Milewski, KPMG - "From Offshore to New Markets: Opportunities and Challenges for Dual-Use Technologies"
Nadja Kinski, 4H-Jena engineering GmbH - "Beyond Detection - Technology to capture data that matters"
Michael Ollermann, SOOP - “Beyond Traditional Observation: Collaborative Marine Data Collection with Non-Scientific Platforms”
🔹Ocean Observation (environmental and habitat mapping)
Environmental and habitat mapping with underwater sensing
Moderation: Regine Labrenz, Leibniz-Institut für Ostseeforschung Warnemünde
Speaker:
Robert Mars, IOW - “Chasing for highest quality data in the Baltic Sea”
Dennis Sidin, PhotomicAI - “Automatic analysis of plankton in water samples using artificial intelligence”
Daniel Heyes, CMMI - “Monitoring and Protecting Marine Biodiversity: Autonomous Systems for Coastal and Deep Water Ecosystems”
Finn Spitz & Mia Schumacher, sonoware GmbH & Geomar - “SidescanTools: Open-Source Software for Side-Scan Sonar Data Processing and Georeferencing”
11:30 – 12:00 Coffee & Networking
🕦 12:00–13:00
Parallel Sessions:
🔹Ocean Robotics
Autonomous systems for marine research and operations
Speaker:
Konrad Mech, Cellula Robotics - “Ocean Floor Explore 2025”
Corentin Troussard, Rtsys - “SMALL & MICRO AUVs Simplifying Coastal & Offshore Data Collection”
Christopher Rieß & Nico Günzel, Framework Robotics - “Fuck-Up Fairytales – Lessons learned from a start-up perspective”
Jonas Thyrann, Universität Rostock - “Fargo – new approaches in underwater glider technology”
🔹Maritime Security & Critical Infrastructure
Solutions for protecting subsea infrastructure and operations
Moderation: Holger Klindt
Speaker:
Jannik Sauer, FLANQ - “Outsmart the Threat”
Peter Menzel, Rostock Institute for Ocean Technologies - “NNCC – SeaSEC – SCW2026 in Rostock”
Antonio Belfiore, DTSI - “New security challenges, technological gaps and strategic responses: DSIT's view on maritime infrastructure protection”
Ole Johannsen, Develogic
13:00 – 14:00 Closing & Farewell Lunch
Event start: 4.11.2024 - 9:00 a.m.
Event end: 5.11.2024 - 6:00 p.m.
HanseMesse Rostock
Zur HanseMesse 1-2
18109 Rostock
Germany
More Information about the location
Gefördert aus Mitteln der Gemeinschaftsaufgabe „Verbesserung der regionalen Wirtschaftsstruktur“ durch das Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Infrastruktur, Tourismus und Arbeit Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
(Fö-Nr.: GRWI-24-0020)
