GBAYCIA Joins IMCA Meet the Members in Shenzhen: Offshore Marine Contractors and the Greater Bay Area's Next Infrastructure Wave
On 15 June 2026, GBAYCIA representatives attended IMCA's second annual Meet the Members event in Shenzhen — a gathering of 65 offshore energy professionals from across Asia-Pacific. With the Greater Bay Area's maritime infrastructure pipeline accelerating, the connection between IMCA's global contractor network and GBA's development agenda is no longer theoretical. It is operational.
Why Offshore Marine Contractors Matter to the Greater Bay Area
The Greater Bay Area is entering a phase of maritime infrastructure development that demands capabilities far beyond conventional port construction. Subsea cable installation, offshore wind foundation work, underwater inspection of ageing marine structures, and the construction of new deep-water marina facilities all require a class of contractor that operates at the intersection of engineering precision and hostile-environment execution. These are offshore marine contractors — and the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) represents the global standard-setting body for this sector.
On Monday 15 June 2026, Ricky Ng (吳國遠) and Andrew Ng, GBAYCIA's Chief of Marine Engineering, represented GBAYCIA at IMCA's Meet the Members: Shenzhen event, held at the Courtyard by Marriott Shenzhen Bay. The event — IMCA's second annual MTM in Shenzhen — drew 65 delegates from Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and across mainland China, bringing together IMCA's Asia-Pacific leadership, the China Diving & Salvage Association (CDSA), and a concentrated group of marine contractors and service providers operating across the region.
Inside the Program: ROV Technology, Diving Safety, and CDSA Collaboration
The afternoon program was structured around three pillars: technology, safety, and cross-border collaboration.
Jason Veerasingam, IMCA's Director of Client Engagement for Asia-Pacific, opened the session with a strategic update on IMCA's expanding footprint in China. Veerasingam — who brings 34 years of frontline marine contracting experience, including senior operational roles at Boskalis Offshore — has been instrumental in deepening the IMCA-CDSA relationship since his appointment in 2022.
Roger Moore, IMCA's Technical Adviser for Remote Operations and ROV, delivered a focused briefing on the current state of remotely operated vehicle (ROV) technology and IMCA's competence framework for subsea inspection. Moore's 28-year career in the ROV industry — spanning global operations from the North Sea to Southeast Asia — positions him as one of the sector's most experienced technical authorities. His presentation covered IMCA's standardised approach to ROV pilot training, operational safety protocols, and the integration of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) into commercial inspection workflows.
Jessica Dong, CDSA's Director of International Cooperation and Maritime Affairs, provided a briefing on CDSA's core business and its expanding collaboration with IMCA. The China Diving & Salvage Association is the national industry body governing commercial diving, marine salvage, and underwater operations across China — a sector that has grown rapidly alongside the country's offshore energy and infrastructure programmes.
Darren Brunton, Founder and Managing Director of KB Associates and IMCA's Asia-Pacific Regional Committee Chair, delivered a comprehensive overview titled "IMCA Diving 2025: An overview of what we've done, and where we're heading in 2026." Brunton — who first worked offshore China as a saturation diver in 1995 and was present when the first Chinese diving contractors gained IMCA membership in 2010/11 — provided a 30-year perspective on how China's commercial diving sector has evolved from isolated domestic operations to internationally benchmarked capability.
Qiong Wu, Managing Director of WS Offshore, presented the company's IMCA membership journey — described by Jason Veerasingam in his post-event recap as the standout moment of the afternoon. Wu's presentation demonstrated how aligning with international standards builds trust, capability, and long-term value creation through driving organisational efficiency, reducing vessel and ROV downtime, and improving core operational margins. For Chinese contractors looking to compete internationally, WS Offshore's trajectory provides a concrete roadmap.
Gavyn Yuan, QHSE Manager at DIV Diving Engineering, closed the formal programme with a presentation titled "Grounded in standards, benchmarked internationally, building safety together — Insights and practical reflections on Diving Operations Safety Management based on the IMCA System."
The Strategic Connection: Why GBAYCIA Was in the Room
GBAYCIA's presence at an offshore marine contractors' gathering is not incidental. The Greater Bay Area's maritime development pipeline — from the Tung Chung marina complex to offshore wind installations in the South China Sea — will require IMCA-standard contractors for underwater pile driving, seabed preparation, environmental baseline surveys, and ongoing structural inspection.
The relationship between IMCA and CDSA is particularly significant. As Chinese marine contractors increasingly operate to international standards, the pathway for GBA infrastructure projects to access globally certified subsea capabilities becomes shorter and more cost-effective. For GBAYCIA members involved in marina development, yacht servicing, and coastal infrastructure, this means access to a contractor ecosystem that meets the highest safety and competence benchmarks without the premium of importing European or Middle Eastern operators.
The Broader Week: 28th Offshore China Convention
The MTM event was part of a broader IMCA engagement in Shenzhen spanning 14–18 June. Two days after the Meet the Members, Roger Moore delivered a keynote speech at the 28th Offshore China (Shenzhen) Convention & Exhibition 2026 on 17 June, presenting on "Global ROV Development Trends and IMCA's role in advancing this sector." The convention — focused on upstream exploration and development decision-makers — brought together the global offshore oil and gas supply chain with a focus on the South China Sea, Southeast Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and Brazil.
The pairing of the MTM (contractor-focused, membership-driven) with the Offshore China Convention (industry-wide, commercial) demonstrates IMCA's dual-track approach to the Chinese market: building membership from within while simultaneously positioning the organisation as a knowledge partner at the sector's largest regional gatherings.
What This Means for the Industry
The offshore marine contracting sector is undergoing a structural shift. The energy transition — particularly offshore wind — is creating unprecedented demand for ROV operators, saturation divers, and dynamic positioning vessels across Asia-Pacific. China's domestic fleet of these specialised assets is expanding rapidly, but the competence and safety frameworks governing their deployment are still maturing.
IMCA's stated commitments coming out of the Shenzhen week are explicit: support companies in raising operational and safety standards, provide access to global expertise and guidance, and create a platform for companies looking to expand beyond China to connect with international operators and partners. The next IMCA regional meeting takes place in Singapore in September, with the IMCA Global Summit 2026 scheduled for 28–29 October.
IMCA's engagement in Shenzhen — and GBAYCIA's participation in that engagement — signals a recognition that the Greater Bay Area's maritime ambitions require more than surface-level infrastructure. They require the subsea expertise to build it safely, inspect it continuously, and maintain it over decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IMCA?
The International Marine Contractors Association is the global trade body for offshore marine construction and engineering companies. IMCA sets safety, competence, and operational standards for subsea operations, ROV deployment, diving, and offshore survey work worldwide.
What is CDSA?
The China Diving & Salvage Association (中国潜水打捞行业协会) is China's national industry body governing commercial diving, marine salvage, and underwater operations. CDSA collaborates with IMCA on aligning Chinese offshore operations with international safety standards.
Why did GBAYCIA attend an offshore marine contractors' event?
The Greater Bay Area's maritime infrastructure pipeline — including marina construction, offshore wind, and subsea cable installation — requires IMCA-standard contractors. GBAYCIA's role as the regional industry association means connecting its members with the contractor ecosystem that will build and maintain this infrastructure.
What is an ROV?
A Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) is an unmanned underwater robot used for subsea inspection, maintenance, and construction support. ROVs are essential for inspecting underwater structures, laying cables, and supporting diving operations at depth.
Call to Action
The Greater Bay Area's next wave of maritime development will be built underwater as much as above it. GBAYCIA is actively connecting our members with the international contractor networks, safety frameworks, and technical capabilities required to deliver world-class marine infrastructure. To explore how IMCA-standard offshore capabilities can support your next project, contact GBAYCIA's partnerships team.
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