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Oceans Advance Newsletter – February 28, 2026
Member Spotlight: Virtual Marine
With 20 years in ocean tech, Newfoundland’s Virtual Marine is making waves. Half the company now works in defence, while maintaining strong roots in oil and gas. A perfect example of dual-use innovation driving local expertise to global impact.
Watch preview here.
Watch the full interview as part of the Innovation Waves series on our YouTube page.
Aquaculture UK & Norway Business Development Mission
Oceans Advance, in partnership with ACOA and the Atlantic Provinces, invites ocean technology companies to join a dual-market trade mission featuring business development meetings in Stavanger, Norway (June 10–12) followed by a shared Canada Pavilion presence at Aquaculture UK 2026 in Glasgow (June 16–17), including a targeted Canada networking reception to connect delegates with international buyers.
15 Weeks to Go – H2O 2026
June 8–11, 2026 | Halifax, Nova Scotia
The countdown is on.
H2O 2026 brings together ocean technology companies, defence and security stakeholders, researchers, and innovators for focused discussions on Maritime Domain Awareness — from seabed to space.
Taking place in Halifax from June 8–10, with COVE Demo Day on June 11, H2O combines panel discussions, technical talks, a dedicated tradeshow, and live demonstrations in an operational environment.
If your work intersects with ocean observation, surveillance, dual-use technologies, marine defence, blue economy innovation, or applied research — this is a room you’ll want to be in.
📍 Halifax, Nova Scotia
📅 June 8–11, 2026
🔗 Learn more: h2oconference.ca
We look forward to welcoming colleagues from across Atlantic Canada and beyond.🎤 Call for Presenters Share your expertise and help shape the conversation.
SMM Hamburg 2026 – Canada Technology Pavilion
OTCNS, in partnership with ACOA, Atlantic partners, and ABCMI, invites export-ready Canadian ocean technology companies to join a trade mission to SMM Hamburg 2026, the world’s leading maritime trade fair.
Participants will showcase within the Canada Technology Pavilion (Hall B6), take part in a Maritime Defence Roundtable, and attend a Canada Networking Reception, all designed to connect Canadian innovation with global buyers and partners. Space is limited and subject to screening.
MASS 2026 Registration is OPEN
Early Bird pricing is available until April 1, 2026 – secure your spot today!
ACADA’s Maritime & Arctic Security & Safety Conference (MASS) continues to be the leading forum for tackling the complex, multi‑domain defence and security challenges shaping northern and maritime regions.
ACADA is pleased to announce Saab Canada, Inc. as Presenting Sponsor for MASS 2026.
Looking to elevate your organization’s visibility? MASS 2026 offers high‑impact sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities. Connect with ACADA at [email protected] to learn more.
Digital Offshore ’26 Conference
Interested in the latest developments in digitalization and how it can help your company? Want to meet face to face with leaders and experts in the innovation ecosystem?
Attend Digital Offshore ’26 on March 10-11, 2026, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, organized by Energy Research & Innovation Newfoundland & Labrador (ERI) partnering with Co. Innovation Centre and Energy NL.
There will also be pre- and post-conference events on March 9 & 12, including workshops & ecosystem facility tours.
Marine Institute Open House – March 25
Marine Institute is hosting an Open House on March 25. Meet faculty, admissions, student supports, housing, and student aid teams—and enter for a chance to win a $1,000 tuition voucher.Fisheries and Marine Institute, Memorial University
Fisheries and Marine Institute, Memorial University
📍 155 Ridge Road, St. John’s, NL, Canada
⏰ 3 p.m. – 7 p.m
ACADA Webinar: Navigating Export Controls & Sanctions Compliance
📅 Thursday, March 5, 2026
⏰ 1:00 – 2:30 PM (AT)
💻 Virtual
Join experts from Global Affairs Canada for a practical webinar on Canada’s Export Controls Program and Sanctions Regime, with a focus on the aerospace and defence sector.
This session will cover export permit processes, sanctions due diligence, compliance obligations, and best practices for aligning commercial growth with regulatory requirements.
Call for Science Posters – GreenTech 2026
Deadline: March 20, 2026
Green Marine is inviting graduate students, researchers, NGOs, and technical experts to submit science posters for GreenTech 2026, taking place June 9–11 in Québec City.
This is an opportunity to showcase research and innovation advancing a more sustainable maritime industry — including marine and port-related environmental performance, technology development, and emerging sector challenges.
Selected posters will be presented to an engaged audience of ship owners, ports, terminals, shipyards, and technology providers.
🗓 Submission deadline: March 20, 2026
📍 Event dates: June 9–11, 2026 | Québec City
👉 Learn more and submit your proposal via Green Marine.
Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy: What It Means for Ocean Industries
Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy signals a long-term shift in how the country connects national security priorities with domestic industrial capacity.
For Newfoundland and Labrador’s ocean technology sector, this matters.
The strategy emphasizes strengthening Canadian supply chains, accelerating procurement, and increasing collaboration with allies — while creating clearer pathways for small and medium-sized companies to participate in major defence programs.
For a province with deep expertise in harsh-environment operations, subsea systems, remote sensing, marine autonomy, and Arctic capability, the alignment between defence needs and cold-ocean innovation presents tangible opportunity.
Beyond procurement reform, the strategy highlights:
- Greater support for Canadian innovation and advanced manufacturing
- Expanded industrial participation in allied defence programs
- Stronger integration between research institutions, SMEs, and prime contractors
As implementation details unfold, Oceans Advance will continue tracking how this strategy translates into real opportunities for NL companies operating at the intersection of ocean technology, security, and sovereignty.
Youth and the Ocean – Call for Content
The upcoming fall issue will spotlight youth (up to age 29) engaged in ocean technology—through entrepreneurship, research, education, competitions, volunteering, and more.
We’re pleased to welcome Bethany Randell and Michaela Barnes as guest editors for this special youth-focused issue.
Submissions may be written by or about young people and can include technical papers, essays, or short articles. Topics can range from youth education programs and competitions (e.g. MATE ROV), to graduate research, shipboard science, and innovative uses of ocean technology.
Have news you would like shared in the Oceans Advance Newsletter?
If you have upcoming events, exciting achievements, or news you’d like featured in the next Oceans Advance newsletter, let us know.
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