18.05.2026
Last week, Oceans & Cables attended the international GeoHab 2026 conference, which focuses on marine habitat mapping, management, and research. This year, the conference took place in Valletta from 11 to 15 May, bringing together leading scientists, researchers, and students to share their latest insights and developments. The spotlight this year was on seagrass research, coastal mapping, and the techniques used to map essential marine habitats.
GEOHAB featured a wide range of presentations focused on marine habitat mapping, remote sensing, and the use of geospatial technologies to better understand coastal and ocean ecosystems. Various talks highlighted how satellite imagery, UAV surveys, bathymetric datasets, and AI-driven techniques are increasingly being combined to create high-resolution habitat maps and digital twins for remote marine environments.
One presentation focused on the development of a digital twin for Oeno Island, demonstrating how multiple environmental datasets can be integrated into a detailed geospatial framework for habitat mapping and environmental monitoring. Other presentations concentrated on benthic habitat classification, seafloor mapping workflows, and the processing of large datasets for conservation and ecosystem management purposes. Overall, the conference highlighted the importance of accessible spatial data, technological innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing marine research and long-term ecosystem monitoring.
Conference Takeaways
During the lectures, we learned about the MER Projects (Marine Ecosystem Restoration), one of the largest national-scale marine mapping initiatives. The project uses a combination of surveying technologies, including LiDAR, MBES, AUVs, and satellites, to produce highly detailed marine maps. The goal is to complete the mapping of the Italian coastline by July 2026.
Fugro gave an interesting presentation on their GeoAI and delivery platform, VirGeo. It was impressive to see how machine learning is revolutionising marine habitat management. By using AI to analyse MBES and SSS data, they can automatically extract seabed features and identify discrete objects on the seafloor. The most notable aspect was the efficiency: traditional data analysis may take up to 30 days, whereas GeoAI can significantly reduce processing time to just a few days. The process still includes expert validation and quality checks to ensure data accuracy and reliability.
The conference also featured a presentation by R2Sonic on their latest innovation, the Voxometer, developed in partnership with R3VOX. This new equipment can withstand extreme pressure of up to 9,000 PSI at depths of 6,000 metres. What makes the Voxometer stand out is its all-in-one, pre-calibrated design, which eliminates the need for additional software or hardware add-ons. The system is designed to simplify surveying operations and reduce post-processing workloads.
Conclusion
Attending GEOHAB 2026 provided valuable insight into the latest advancements in marine habitat mapping, geospatial technologies, and AI-driven data processing. The conference highlighted how innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration are shaping the future of marine research, environmental monitoring, and offshore operations.
For Oceans & Cables, participating in GEOHAB was an important opportunity to stay connected with emerging technologies and industry developments that directly support the company’s work in submarine cable installation, marine surveying, and offshore consultancy services. The discussions surrounding high-resolution seabed mapping, digital twins, AI-powered data analysis, and advanced survey equipment reinforced the growing importance of accurate marine data in delivering efficient and sustainable offshore projects.
As the marine and offshore sectors continue to evolve, Oceans & Cables remains committed to adopting innovative solutions and maintaining the highest standards in hydrographic and subsea operations, while supporting the responsible management and understanding of the marine environment.
Oceans & Cables Limited is a company based in Malta, founded in 2014, operating in the submarine cable industry and related technical services, working with various industries and markets globally. Our specialisation is in the consultancy, planning and implementation of the submarine cable industry for governmental entities, commercial corporations, and offshore renewable energy companies around the world. For more information about Oceans & Cables, please contact us on info@oceanscables.com.
Article written by Ms Dominika Uszynska, Intern at Oceans & Cables Limited, currently pursuing a degree as Hydrographic Engineer at the University of Gdański & Naval Academy of the Heros of Westerplatte, Poland.