This year’s Seawork starts today, Tuesday 22 May 2012 at the ABP Port of Southampton, UK. With 500 global exhibitors and over 7,500 visitors expected, this year’s show is set to be bigger than ever.

With so many exhibitors and visitors attending, Seawork is the perfect place for networking. It also offers the chance to see over 50 craft on the water, from windfarm service vessels to rescue craft, police boats to RIBs.

In addition, the usual Seawork pavilions and trails have something for everyone, from the renewable energy pavilion, to the maritime security pavilion, the DiveWork Trail and the RIB Work Trail.

Then there’s the Innovations Showcase and Awards show, which will see the first ever presentation of the Seawork Lifetime Achievement Award.

There’s also a Supply Chain gathering on the Thursday at 11:30 on the BMF stand B21. “We are putting on a small event to bring together supply chain companies to continue the great work in creating a marine network in the UK industry,” said Andy Sims. “The informal gathering in association with Cooney and Matchtech will enable contact between companies.”

The BMF will be on hand to explain the good work done with the recent Meet the Buyer event and thoughts for the future.

The new venue for the three day conference programme this year is City Cruise Terminal – it’s just a five minute walk from the exhibition, but there will be a shuttle bus service if you prefer.

Parking for visitors has moved to Ocean Village in Southampton - postcode SO14 3TJ – but just follow the signs for Seawork visitor parking and you’ll be OK. The car park is open from 08:00 to 19:00 each day and is free. A shuttle bus service will also deliver you to the exhibition.

For more information check out seawork.com/visit/car-parking  and this map (pdf).

This year, the Press Office is located in Hall B between stands B167 and B166, opposite the Renewable Energy Pavilion.