From the Blog
Anchors Aweigh: Highlights from the 2025 WorkBoat Conference in New Orleans
By Caroline Cozier on Dec 13, 2025
Anchors Aweigh: Highlights from the 2025 WorkBoat Conference in New Orleans
Last week, the commercial maritime world converged in New Orleans for the 45th International WorkBoat Show — a three-day celebration of innovation, industry leadership, and networking that’s become the annual milestone for professionals across the workboat and marine sectors. From December 3–5, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center buzzed with more than 13,000 attendees and over 1,000 exhibiting companies, each showcasing the future of maritime operations.
What the WorkBoat Show Brings Together
At its core, the WorkBoat Show and Conference is where vessel owners, shipbuilders, marine engineers, tech innovators, and policy voices meet to shape the next chapter of commercial maritime. From cutting-edge equipment and services to deep dives on maritime policy and workforce issues, the show delivered something for every corner of the industry.
Highlights included:
• Industry Panels & Keynotes: Thought leaders offered insights on emerging tech, safety regulations, and operational excellence.
• Innovation Showcases: Hundreds of booths featured the latest in marine engines, navigation systems, fleet intelligence platforms, and more.
• Networking & Awards: Events like the Significant Boats Awards, Women in Maritime Luncheon, and Maritime Breakfast created space for collaboration and celebration.
Innovation on Display
This year more than ever, innovation took center stage. Exhibitors from around the globe highlighted advancements that promise to reshape how workboats operate — from enhanced fleet management systems to rugged SATCOM-ready solutions built for real-world maritime environments.
Whether you were exploring new propulsion systems, digitalization tools, or safety-focused tech, the show floor offered a panoramic view of where commercial marine is heading.
Underwater Intervention: A Technical Deep Dive
Co-located with the WorkBoat Show was Underwater Intervention 2025, now in its third year and drawing specialists focused on subsea operations, ROVs, and underwater technology. Over the same three days, engineers, subsea technicians, and ocean technology leaders engaged in technical sessions and demos that revealed the cutting edge of underwater exploration and maritime intervention tech.
This co-location has strengthened the event’s appeal, making it a must-attend for professionals dealing with everything from offshore infrastructure to deep-water inspections.
Workforce Engagement and Future Leaders
Among the most inspiring moments from the show was the maritime interaction day hosted by We Work the Waterways, drawing more than 300 students to the trade show floor. Through career panels, interactive sessions, and guided tours of exhibits, high school students got a firsthand look at the diversity of careers available on the water and behind the scenes of the industry.
This effort reflects a broader industry push to cultivate new talent and address long-term workforce needs — a conversation that surfaced repeatedly during the conference sessions.
Looking Ahead
As the 2025 WorkBoat Show wraps, the buzz already is about what comes next — new products to test, collaborations to build, and conversations to continue. With its blend of innovation, education, and industry spirit, the WorkBoat Conference once again reaffirmed its place as the heartbeat of the commercial maritime world.
Whether you’re an industry veteran or new to the scene, New Orleans reminded us all why this event matters — and why we’ll be back on the docks again next year.
Last week, the commercial maritime world converged in New Orleans for the 45th International WorkBoat Show — a three-day celebration of innovation, industry leadership, and networking that’s become the annual milestone for professionals across the workboat and marine sectors. From December 3–5, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center buzzed with more than 13,000 attendees and over 1,000 exhibiting companies, each showcasing the future of maritime operations.
What the WorkBoat Show Brings Together
At its core, the WorkBoat Show and Conference is where vessel owners, shipbuilders, marine engineers, tech innovators, and policy voices meet to shape the next chapter of commercial maritime. From cutting-edge equipment and services to deep dives on maritime policy and workforce issues, the show delivered something for every corner of the industry.
Highlights included:
• Industry Panels & Keynotes: Thought leaders offered insights on emerging tech, safety regulations, and operational excellence.
• Innovation Showcases: Hundreds of booths featured the latest in marine engines, navigation systems, fleet intelligence platforms, and more.
• Networking & Awards: Events like the Significant Boats Awards, Women in Maritime Luncheon, and Maritime Breakfast created space for collaboration and celebration.
Innovation on Display
This year more than ever, innovation took center stage. Exhibitors from around the globe highlighted advancements that promise to reshape how workboats operate — from enhanced fleet management systems to rugged SATCOM-ready solutions built for real-world maritime environments.
Whether you were exploring new propulsion systems, digitalization tools, or safety-focused tech, the show floor offered a panoramic view of where commercial marine is heading.
Underwater Intervention: A Technical Deep Dive
Co-located with the WorkBoat Show was Underwater Intervention 2025, now in its third year and drawing specialists focused on subsea operations, ROVs, and underwater technology. Over the same three days, engineers, subsea technicians, and ocean technology leaders engaged in technical sessions and demos that revealed the cutting edge of underwater exploration and maritime intervention tech.
This co-location has strengthened the event’s appeal, making it a must-attend for professionals dealing with everything from offshore infrastructure to deep-water inspections.
Workforce Engagement and Future Leaders
Among the most inspiring moments from the show was the maritime interaction day hosted by We Work the Waterways, drawing more than 300 students to the trade show floor. Through career panels, interactive sessions, and guided tours of exhibits, high school students got a firsthand look at the diversity of careers available on the water and behind the scenes of the industry.
This effort reflects a broader industry push to cultivate new talent and address long-term workforce needs — a conversation that surfaced repeatedly during the conference sessions.
Looking Ahead
As the 2025 WorkBoat Show wraps, the buzz already is about what comes next — new products to test, collaborations to build, and conversations to continue. With its blend of innovation, education, and industry spirit, the WorkBoat Conference once again reaffirmed its place as the heartbeat of the commercial maritime world.
Whether you’re an industry veteran or new to the scene, New Orleans reminded us all why this event matters — and why we’ll be back on the docks again next year.