Plymouth will host the South West’s largest marine and maritime event this summer, as Ocean Tech Expo 2026 returns to the University of Plymouth on Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 June.
Now in its fifth edition, Ocean Tech Expo is organised by Maritime UK South West and brings together hundreds of industry leaders, innovators and investors from across the region and beyond. The event has become a key fixture in the maritime calendar, and this year’s instalment arrives at a particularly significant moment for Plymouth and the wider South West.
A region on the move
The past twelve months have seen a remarkable concentration of investment and strategic commitment to the region’s ocean economy. The £50 million Plymouth Defence Growth Deal, up to £20 million through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund to establish a Global Autonomy Cluster spanning land, sea and air, and the official launch of the UK’s National Centre for Marine Autonomy have all reinforced what those working in the sector have long understood: the South West is one of the most strategically important maritime clusters in the world.
Ocean Tech Expo 2026 provides the ideal setting to understand what those announcements mean in practice, and to explore the commercial and collaborative opportunities they open up.
What to expect
Over two days, the Expo will showcase technical capability and near-market innovation from across the region, with a focus on maritime decarbonisation, national security and productivity. The programme includes keynote addresses from leading industry figures, practical business support sessions, and an evening boat cruise around Plymouth Sound, complete with at-sea demonstrations from local marine autonomy businesses.
Plymouth and South Devon Freeport is proud to be a Silver sponsor and is hosting an investor and property-focused breakfast ahead of the main programme, bringing together businesses and investors to explore the development opportunities on offer across our sites. More details on this session will be shared in the coming weeks.
Sheldon Ryan, CEO of Maritime UK South West, said the event continues to build on the energy generated by previous editions: “The event provides a platform for the defence, marine and maritime industries to convene, not only to understand what the recent announcements may mean for the region and their businesses, but to discuss new partnerships and collaborative endeavours, network and explore further the global excellence which exists in the South West’s ocean economy.”
Ocean Tech Expo 2026 is supported by Gold sponsors Teledyne Marine, Great South West, the University of Plymouth and MSubs.
Tickets are available from maritimeuksw.org/ocean-tech-expo-26.