London-headquartered Wings Travel Management (www.wings.travel), global specialists in managing complex travel and people logistics to the energy and marine sectors, is expanding its footprint in the United States with the acquisition of the energy and corporate travel business of Lafayette-based Associated Travel in Louisiana, for an undisclosed sum. The agreement takes effect on 1st November 2019 and is a key strategic milestone for Wings as it gives the company a presence in a second major US energy sector hub, complementing Wings’ existing operation in Houston.

SSVC Media Innovation will be demonstrating its new subsea version of MiPlayer at Pacific 2019. Already in use with the UK Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and UK Border Force, the MiPlayer platform offers access via WiFi to media streaming of recreational and training content in remote locations where internet connectivity is poor or absent. The subsea platform has been specially adapted to provide an on-demand service updated via USB or external connectivity, meaning that for the first time users are able to access downloaded recreational media and training materials while submerged.

Connectivity in the underwater environment is the mission for Norwegian companies Transmark Subsea and WiSub; their combined forces deliver unprecedented automation capabilities to the blue growth sector internationally. Both companies have been key equipment and service providers to underwater intervention drone (UID™) docking stations since 2018. This convergence of mature cable and connector manufacturing and design with innovative wireless underwater power and data transfer systems ensures reliable delivery of turnkey docking solutions. These systems support subsea automation, especially for enabling underwater drones to remain persistently resident at the underwater work site but operated safely from shore.

The INSITE Programme has launched a major collaboration between offshore industries and researchers, designed to give marine scientists access to valuable industry-acquired ecological data.

A joint initiative between Japan and Scotland, formed two years ago, will see almost £21million invested into underwater technology projects to promote economic growth opportunities in the Blue Economy.

Impact Subsea has announced the expansion of operations with the opening of a new office in Aberdeenshire, UK.

iXblue Annual Users Conference will bring together over 150 key players in the maritime market such as hydrographic offices, universities, institutes, port authorities, survey and dredging companies, as well as offshore construction contractors.

Phoenix International Holdings, Inc. (Phoenix) announces that Kent VanHorn has been promoted to Vice President for Global Submarine Rescue.

Fugro has completed several high-resolution geophysical surveys in the US Gulf of Mexico for Shell International Exploration and Production Company. The project required data collection over multiple deepwater lease blocks in the greater Perdido and Mars development areas to support clearance of potential environmental, engineering, geological and archaeological hazards ahead of planned drilling activities.

Forum Subsea Technologies’ latest remotely operated vehicle (ROV), the XLe Spirit, has successfully completed sea trials in Norway.

REV Ocean is excited to announce the purchase of the Supporter 6000 ROV from Kystdesign AS in Aksdal, Norway. The state of the art submersible will be one of the most important tools used to achieve the core scientific goals of the REV Ocean research vessel.

Tekmar Group plc, a market-leading technology provider of subsea protection systems is pleased to announce that it has signed a sale and purchase agreement for the acquisition of Pipeshield® International ltd ("Pipeshield® ") from its founder Steven Howlett.

Leading integrated subsea and offshore solutions provider Unique Group has signed an agreement to acquire five Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) DriX units from French high-technology company iXblue, marking a significant investment in the Group’s global portfolio of survey products.

Phoenix International Holdings, Inc. (Phoenix), under the direction of the U.S. Navy’s Supervisor of Salvage and Diving, located and recovered the fuselage of a downed C2-A Greyhound aircraft from the depth of 18,809 feet using the deep ocean remotely operated vehicle CURV 21. The aircraft, which was lost in November 2017, was recovered at the request of Commander Pacific Fleet in order to facilitate the mishap investigation.

ROV Planet Magazine Issue 21: The magazine of choice for Subsea Construction and ROV/AUV Professionals. Featuring Rovco is Leading in Subsea AI and Computer Vision – 3D Archaeological Models of the Newly Discovered US WWII Submarine, USS Grunion – Teledyne Marine Opens Vehicle Service Center in Europe – New Technological Breakthroughs to Ensure Dam Integrity – Electrifying Subsea Operations – Powerful Solution from Ocean Power Technologies – General Dynamics Mission Systems Launches Newest UUV – SMD Unveil Green, Super Capable ROV Technology – Poster – The Vision of a Digital Subsea Future – Subsea Ops and ROV Training at the Chaguaramas Deepwater Hub in Trinidad – How Low-Cost Subsea Components are Changing Marine Conservation Efforts – Sparse LBL: A Cost Efficient and Flexible Solution for Enhanced Subsea Autonomy – Hydramec Delivers First Electric AHC LARS to the New Zealand Navy – Falcon for Ocean Research – i-Tech Strengthens Smart Skid Technology in GoM – Modus Performs HybridAUV Decommissioning Survey.

BTE20 exhibition and OceanSocial networking reception will run concurrently with CHOW.

Doug Hernandez is a world-recognized expert in Remotely Operated Vehicle technology as BP’s Global ROV Manager. Doug will be leading the Underwater Intervention 2020 ROV Technical Track and has secured sessions chaired by leaders within the industry to include:

The Board of BP announced today that, after a 40-year career with BP and over nine years as group chief executive, Bob Dudley, 64, has decided to step down as group chief executive and from the BP Board following delivery of the company’s 2019 full year results on 4 February 2020 and will retire on 31 March 2020.