Subsea Lifting and Marine Operations returns to Stavanger in December
Subsea lifting and marine operations involve complex interfaces between engineering, equipment, vessels, operational planning and offshore execution. Small changes in assumptions, weather conditions, vessel response or installation methods can have a significant impact on both risk, schedule and cost.
On December 1st – 2nd 2026, professionals from across the subsea and marine industries will meet in Stavanger for the annual Subsea Lifting and Marine Operations Conference.
The conference is organised by KTF, The Norwegian Society of Lifting Technology, and has developed into a meeting place for engineers, operators, contractors, equipment suppliers, authorities and others involved in planning and executing subsea and marine operations.
Connecting design and offshore execution
One of the main objectives of the conference is to strengthen the connection between those who design subsea structures and installation concepts, those responsible for selecting technical solutions, and the contractors who ultimately perform the offshore operations.
Marine operations are often multidisciplinary. Structural design, hydrodynamics, lifting equipment, vessel capabilities, weather limitations, subsea interfaces and operational procedures all need to work together.
Experience shows that challenges do not necessarily arise because individual disciplines lack competence. They may also arise in the interfaces between disciplines, or when assumptions made during engineering meet the practical realities of offshore execution.
The conference therefore focuses on sharing experience across disciplines and across different phases of a marine operation.
Learning from operations, projects and new technology
Previous conferences have addressed a wide range of subjects including complex subsea installation projects, heavy and specialised lifting operations, remote crane operations, response forecasting, vessel technology, hydrodynamic modelling, artificial intelligence and new methods for planning and executing offshore operations.
Project experience is an important part of the programme. Presentations from completed and ongoing offshore projects provide an opportunity to examine technical choices, operational challenges and lessons learned.
Technology development is another recurring topic. Digital tools, automation, remote operations, improved forecasting and new vessel and equipment concepts are changing how marine operations can be planned and executed.
The 2026 programme is currently under development and will introduce new main themes, projects and speakers reflecting current developments within subsea lifting and marine operations.
Knowledge as part of operational risk management
Marine operations can be expensive, and delays offshore can quickly have significant financial consequences.
Weather downtime, unexpected vessel behaviour, equipment limitations, underestimated operational complexity or insufficient understanding of interfaces can extend an operation beyond its planned duration.
Building a common understanding between engineering and operations is therefore not only a technical issue. It can also contribute to better risk management, improved operability and more predictable project execution.
Subsea Lifting and Marine Operations provides a forum for discussing these challenges through engineering knowledge, operational experience and lessons learned from real projects.
The conference takes place December 1st-2nd 2026 in Stavanger, Norway.
The full programme will be announced as speakers and topics are confirmed.
