IMDEX Asia 2023 has returned following a four-year hiatus. This 13th edition will host more than 11,000 delegates from over 60 countries/regions, and over 250 participating companies from 25 countries/regions from 3-5 May 2023, at the Singapore Changi Exhibition Centre.
It will also welcome 47 delegations, which include 22 Navy Chiefs and Coast Guard Directors and Head of Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies from more than 40 countries, that will congregate for the exclusive International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC) that drives and facilitates strategic conversations to promote mutual understanding and collaboration in Asia Pacific.
There will also be displays and tours of 22 warships from 13 countries, which includes Indonesian Maritime Security Agency’s coast guard vessel – KN Pulau Nipah and Italy’s ITS Francesco Morosini who are participating at IMDEX Asia for the first time.
Expansive exhibitor presence with numerous first-time participants
Returning exhibitors will include Damen Naval, Elbit Systems, Fincantieri, Israel Aerospace Industries, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, Rheinmetall Defence, ST Engineering, Thales, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, Wartsila etc.
New participating companies include Abu Dhabi Ship Building, Bell, GE Power Conversion, Kongsberg Maritime, Saildrone and Siemens Energy.
In addition to country pavilion stalwarts France, Israel and the Netherlands, several first-timers such as Denmark, Italy and the USA will also showcase more than 20 companies who bring exhibits in autonomous and uncrewed systems, ship design, energy solutions and digital systems.
Australia returns after a 10-year hiatus, bringing a total of 20 companies, while Singapore is also presenting its largest country pavilion with 15 exhibitors that span naval and special forces equipment, engines and digital systems.
“The expanded presence of a diverse range of participating companies and country pavilions underscores IMDEX Asia’s position as the leading platform for the global naval and maritime defence industry. With defence spending on a strong upward trajectory over the last five years, opportunities abound in the naval and maritime defence industry. We are confident that when stakeholders convene for strategic conversations, and are inspired by a breadth of emerging and technological advances that ignite ideas, it sets the momentum for shifts towards transformation in the industry,” said Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director, Experia Events Pte Ltd, organiser of IMDEX Asia 2023.
Technology and innovation take centre stage
This edition also introduces the inaugural IMDEX Asia Innovation Challenge at What’s Next, a strategic platform for aspiring start-ups to showcase their revolutionary innovations on a global stage.
The challenge, conceived in partnership with Starburst, will be what organisers have labelled as the world’s first and only global aerospace and defence start-up accelerator and strategic advisory practice, has scouted the globe to identify start-ups who have promising responses to four problem statements in areas of artificial intelligence, ship operations, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and sustainability.
Following a rigorous process, a total of eight start-ups from Australia, Canada, Finland, Israel, Singapore, Switzerland and the USA have been selected to pitch their solutions to a panel of judges comprising of senior naval stakeholders at IMDEX Asia 2023.
At Tech Talks which features product demonstrations and technical workshops, visitors can expect a total of 16 companies who will showcase latest maritime and unmanned innovations that spans from composite materials to autonomous robotic systems.
Collaboration for a stronger community for safe and secure seas
More than 450 attendees from the naval defence sector will gather for pivotal conversations at the IMSC.
This 8th edition of the by-invite only conference will focus on Safe and Secure Seas: Emerging Stronger as a Maritime Community, and features a special session on Adapting Roles of our Community to Evolving Maritime Threats, and three panels on Impact of Geo-Political Developments on Maritime Security, Enhancing Peace and Stability to Emerge Stronger from Uncertainty and Cooperation and Collaboration in the Future Maritime Environment.
“Threats in the maritime domain are often transnational in nature and will require the collective effort of countries, navies and maritime agencies to tackle. In this regard, maritime enforcement agencies play an important role in ensuring maritime security. For the first time this year, we will have a special panel to facilitate discussion amongst maritime enforcement agencies on how they can cooperate and collaborate with one another to better strengthen maritime security to ensure safe and secure seas for all,” said Colonel Ng Yen Meng, Republic of Singapore Navy, Co-Chairman for IMDEX Asia 2023.
Cultivating a strong pipeline of future talents
Talent Campus also returns with doubled participation with about 500 students from 11 participating secondary and tertiary institutions who will be treated to talks, and invited to engage with practitioners from the naval and maritime defence industry.
Those seeking naval and maritime careers will also be hosted by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Singapore Institute of Technology and the Singapore University of Technology and Design who will share about their maritime-related courses and curriculum. In addition, Rolls-Royce will host a workshop titled “Alternative Fuel for Naval Application”.
Organised by Experia Events Pte Ltd, IMDEX Asia 2023 is supported by the Republic of Singapore Navy, the Defence Science and Technology Agency, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, and the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau.
