Singapore promises to take further the discussion on Ocean science technology, playing host to the next iteration of OCEANS conference.
Venugopalan Pallayil, Chair, OCEANS 2020 Singapore
December 2, 2019
Announcement: Due to the evolving COVID-19 situation in Asia, OCEANS Singapore has been shifted to Aug 11-14.
Website: https://singapore20.oceansconference.org
Singapore, the Little Red Dot, with an area of 725 square km is home to 5.6 million people.
It is one of the busiest ports in the world, connecting over 600 ports in 120 countries with 130,000 vessel calls annually. On one hand, this heavy-shipping scenario brings up a unique set of complicated operational constraints. On the other hand, we now live in a world that has realized the importance of upholding the sanctity of its oceans.
Maintaining a balance between crucial market flow and ocean conservation is a complex problem which demands attention. It may arguably be the most pressing issue at hand. The significance of holding a conference like OCEANS in Singapore hence needs no further justification.
After a gap of 14 years, the Garden City is set to host OCEANS Conference in 2020. Our theme for OCEANS 2020 Singapore is “Green Ports: In Harmony with Oceans”, which reflects the need to address preserving our ocean environment through the use of smart marine engineering and technological solutions.

Changi Jewel in Singapore, showing the indoor waterfall and laser show
This instance stands out in particular as OCEANS celebrates its successful legacy on its 50th anniversary.
Story Index
- Singapore and OCEANS
- The Venue
- Technical visits
- Getting around
- Attractions
- Singapore AUV Challenge
"Green Ports: In harmony with Oceans"
- OCEANS 2020 Singapore
The conference is expected to attract over
- 600 delegates,
- 350 to 400 technical presentations, and
- 40 or so exhibitors
from marine and freshwater related industries. Apart from regular presentations by researchers from many different fields of oceans science and technologies, there will also be special sessions on emerging research and technologies organised by experts in those areas.
Special sessions on Marine Archeology and Marine Plastic Pollution are being planned to be organized for the first time in an OCEANS conference.

Marina Bay Sands (conference venue) and the lotus shaped ‘ArtScience’ Museum
The much-coveted OCEANS Student poster competition will give students a golden opportunity to travel to the conference, all-expenses-paid, and share their research with the community. The top posters judged by a panel will also be given additional prizes.

The infinity pool on top of Marina Bay Sands with city view

Cable car, gondola lift providing aerial link between Sentosa Island and Mount Faber
Another technical tour is planned to the Technology Centre for Offshore & Marine Singapore (TCOMS), which is Singapore’s first R&D Facility for Industry. It hosts the next generation Deepwater Ocean Basin facility equipped with state-of-the-art wave and current generation systems that can simulate harsh marine environments including those in ultra-deep waters.

Clarke-Quay by night
Attractions: Attending a conference is not just about participation in the technical programme and exhibition. It also provides the delegates over the world an opportunity to explore, understand and experience the unique cultures of the country where conference is being held.
One of the safest countries in the world, Singapore is also the best example of how people of different religious faiths can co-exist in peace and harmony. We hope to showcase a cultural show during the Gala Dinner that would be a blend of local cultures.
A Garden City state with lush green vegetation in an urban setting, good transportation system, world class airport, mouthwatering international cuisine and ease of communication in English language all make it very special for visitors. There are a variety of food available to match everyone’s taste and make sure you do not miss the essential ones. Ask your LOC members or PCO on those ‘must try’ food items.
Singapore AUV Challenge 2020
Being an Easter Weekend, this is also a great opportunity for visiting many neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia, to name a few, which are all 2 to 3hrs by flight from Singapore.
Last but not least, OCEANS 2020 will be held in conjunction with the Singapore AUV Challenge - the largest underwater robotics competition in Asia, that has attracted hundreds of students each year to Singapore. A feast for technology geeks, you will be swept away by the deluge of ideas sparked by the young minds at the competition, who are doing everything they can to make their robots complete designated tasks in a pool environment, and vying for the top prizes. In the process, the students often teach us that there can be no bounds on creativity in technology - an apt lesson to take away for a technology conference like OCEANS.
Singapore AUV challenge is being held from April 3-5th, so if you land a day earlier, you will be right in time to catch the finals of the robotics competition.
We look forward to welcoming you all to Singapore for an exciting conference, where a confluence of scientific minds from academia, industry, defense and other agencies promise to deliver an engaging discussion on ocean technology. Please visit the conference website for more details, and dont miss the important dates. The deadline for abstracts, tutorials, workshops and demo proposals has now been extended to December 13th.

Oceans 2020 - Important Dates