The 13th Annual World Congress of Ocean (WCO-2025)
Date and Time: Tue, November 11 – Thu, November 13, 2025
Location:
Osaka, Japan
Format and Highlights:
• Format: In person
About This Event:
The 13th Annual World Congress of Ocean (WCO-2025) convenes in Osaka, Japan, from November 11–13, 2025. As one of Asia’s prominent ocean forums, WCO brings together business leaders, researchers, and policymakers to exchange ideas on ocean science, technology, governance, and market applications.
Across three days, the congress features plenary and parallel sessions, exhibitions, posters, a welcome banquet, and optional tours—designed to catalyze collaboration and identify gaps and opportunities across the blue economy.
Tracks span ocean economy and finance, maritime law, engineering, energy, emerging technologies, marine management and environment, smart ports and green shipping, marine biotechnology, and aquaculture and fisheries.
What to Expect:
• Opening ceremony and keynote forum, plus themed sessions across nine program tracks
• 100+ oral presentations on hot topics and cutting-edge ocean technology
• Global networking with 200+ professional attendees and cross-sector stakeholders
• Exhibition and poster sessions integrated with coffee breaks for high exposure
• Opportunities for project matchmaking, investment, careers, and tours in Osaka
Panel Presenters / Speakers:
• Paul Holthus — Founding President & CEO, World Ocean Council, USA
• Nilufer Oral — Director, Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore; Member, UN International Law Commission, Singapore
• Hermann Held — Chair, Sustainability & Global Change, University of Hamburg, Germany
• Nobuto Yamaguchi — Attorney & Partner, Tokyo Sanno Law Office, Japan
• Salvatore Vitale — Professor, UNIDAV University; Senior Partner, Vitale & Partners, Italy
• Dana A. Goward — President, Resilient Navigation and Timing Foundation, USA
• Yael Edelman-Furstenberg — Head, Marine Geology Division, Geological Survey of Israel, Israel
• Natascha Oppelt — Professor, Kiel University, Germany
• Xianping Fu — Dean, Information Science & Technology College, Dalian Maritime University, China
• Cindy Wilcox — President, Marine BioEnergy, Inc., USA
Contact or Registration: david.wco@gala-tek.com | wco2025