World Submarine Organization Concludes 22nd International Submarine Symposium
October 17, 2025 — The World Submarine Organization (WSO) proudly announces the successful conclusion of the 22nd International Submarine Symposium, held from October 7–10 at the Spanish Oceanographic Institute in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
This year’s event brought together over 170 registrations from 20 countries, including industry operators, manufacturers & stakeholders, regulators, maritime authorities, navy and coast guard officials. The discussions centered on advancements in submarine technology, safety regulations, and operational best practices.
Organized by the MTS Submarine Committee and the World Submarine Organization (WSO), in partnership with the Submersible Operators Group (SOG) and the Spanish Oceanographic Institute, the 2025 edition marked a significant milestone — the Symposium’s first time being hosted on an international stage.
The event’s strong turnout and participation underscored the industry’s dedication to learning from past challenges and its collective commitment to improving safety and operational standards.
Event Highlights
Submersible Operators Group (SOG) Forum Oct 7-8
The Symposium opened with a speech presentation from Leighton Rolley, launching the SOG specialized two-day forum dedicated to submersible operators, manufacturers, and classification societies. The sessions fostered collaborative discussions on technical innovations and operational safety across the sector.
WSO Flag State Meeting Oct 8
International Submarine Symposium Advances Global Regulatory Dialogue
A central highlight of this year’s Symposium was the Flag State Meeting, held on the second day — a landmark gathering that brought together maritime authorities and industry leaders from over 20 nations. The session provided a rare opportunity for open, around-the-table dialogue focused on establishing a harmonized identification and oversight system for small submarines and submersibles.
While the subsea industry has long been working toward clearer and more consistent international guidelines, the urgency of this effort has been amplified by the lessons learned from the Titan accident, which brought unprecedented global attention to the need for stronger governance. This meeting represented an essential step forward — part of the collective “Next Steps” initiative arising in response to that incident.
The session opened with a keynote address by Capt. José Antonio Conde, Maritime Captain of Tenerife, followed by an exclusive briefing from US Coast Guard Deputy Chief for the Office of Investigations and Casualty Analysis Jason Neubauer, principal investigator for the Titan case. Their insights set the stage for a dynamic two-hour roundtable, where delegates exchanged perspectives, explored policy pathways, and collaborated on future regulatory frameworks to ensure safety, accountability, and public confidence in the growing submersible sector.
MTS Annual Submarine Symposium, October 9-10
The flagship conference featured 22 speakers from the fields of exploration, defense, research, and insurance. Presenters shared technical papers and led discussions showcasing the latest advancements and cross-sector collaboration driving the future of submarine operations. The full program is available on the WSO website and proceedings are available on request (https://worldsubmarines.org).
Celebrating an Unsung Pioneer
A special ceremony was held to honor Illya Shtirkov, Director of the Institute of Oceanology at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and a true pioneer in manned submersible operations. For over 27 years, Mr. Shtirkov has devoted his career to advancing underwater research as the pilot and caretaker of Bulgaria’s only research submersible, the historic PC8B, built in the 1970s, with extensive research in the restricted waters of the Black Sea.
In recognition of his lifelong dedication and extraordinary contributions to the submarine industry, William Kohnen and Scott Waters presented Mr. Shtirkov with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The moment was made even more special by the presence of his wife, whose steadfast support accompanied him throughout his remarkable career beneath the sea.
Acknowledgments and Future Outlook
The World Submarine Organization (WSO) extends its deepest appreciation to the Symposium sponsors, whose generous support made it possible to keep the event free and accessible to all participants. Their contributions directly uphold WSO’s mission to foster knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and innovation across the global submarine community. A special thanks goes to Jesús M. Arrietta, Director of the Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO) and overall, to the Spanish Oceanographic Institute in Santa Cruz de Tenerife for the generous support and hospitality, which greatly contributed to the success of the event.
WSO offers special thanks to DNV graciously volunteering to host the 2026 International Submarine Symposium in Hamburg, Germany. We look forward to continuing the dialogue on advancing submarine safety, technology, and international standards in the years ahead. Details of next year’s event will be announced. Through the continued partnership and commitment of our sponsors and members, WSO remains dedicated to building a safer, stronger, and more connected global subsea industry.
World Submarine Organization (WSO)
The World Submarine Organization is dedicated to uniting the global submarine community through its annual symposiums and ongoing advocacy. Central to WSO’s mission is the harmonization of international rules and regulations defining clear rights, responsibilities, and requirements across all submarine categories worldwide.
Websites: https://worldsubmarines.org | www.mtsmuv.org | https://submersibleoperators.com | www.ieo.es/en/acerca-del-ieo
