Speed@Seawork 2026 – where operational requirement meets real-world maritime innovation
With upwards of 15 high-performance vessels already confirmed, the pontoons are filling rapidly as fast vessel showcase Speed@Seawork prepares to return to the iconic waters of Cowes IOW for the seventh edition.
Building on last year’s successful event, Speed@Seawork 2026 will see an extended format, increasing opportunities for live sea trials, dockside demonstrations, and direct engagement between suppliers and operational end users across defence, security, and commercial maritime sectors.
Headline sponsors Chartwell Marine, Vessel Arrest Systems, and Mecal have all returned for 2026, renewing their support for Speed@Seawork as a focused forum for maritime capability, innovation, and collaboration.
The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) Cowes clubhouse will once again serve as the shoreside hub, with on-water sessions operating from Trinity Landing. Exhibitors will showcase vessels through live sea trials, enabling delegates to experience performance first-hand in operational conditions. Products, technology, and equipment will be displayed throughout the historic clubhouse in front of a highly targeted international audience of decision-makers, designers, and operators.
Confirmed exhibitors and participants include National Shipbuilding Office (NSO), Royal Navy, MOD Small Boats Team Berthon, CGI, Proteum, ROAM, Viking Life-Saving Equipment, Zodiac Milpro, Barrus, Damen, Metropolitan Police Marine Unit, and 17 Port and Maritime Regiment RLC. Returning sponsor Vessel Arrest Systems will demonstrate its latest maritime interdiction solutions.
Highlights of the programme include; the NSO briefing, held onboard with breakfast sponsored by Chartwell Marine. Delegates are ferried from Southampton to the Isle of Wight with the demonstration fleet welcome into Cowes giving a taste of the day’s activities to come. Lunch ashore, sponsored by Vessel Arrest Systems, sees speakers address security threats and operational preparedness plus the much anticipated MOD Small Boats Team presentation with leader Pete Lagden and his team taking to the stage. Networking drinks sponsored by Mecal round off the day before delegates return to the mainland.
With defence, SAR and border security high on the agenda, Speed@Seawork 2026 provides a targeted platform where operational requirement meets real-world maritime innovation.
Who Attends
- International Defence & Naval Attachés
- UK Ministry of Defence Small Boats Team
- Royal Navy, MOD Police, Army & Adventurous Training Units
- Boat builders, designers, and equipment suppliers
Key Features
- Live sea trials of high-speed vessels and specialist equipment
- Direct access to designers, operators, testers, and subject-matter experts
- A unique focus on military, SAR, security, and commercial operational requirements
- Insightful keynotes from UK Government and MOD procurement leaders
- Product Display Area (PDA) and in-water demonstrations showcasing real-world effectiveness
Speed@Seawork – 8 June 2026 Cowes, IOW
About Seawork
Seawork is the largest and fastest growing international commercial marine and workboat exhibition and conference held in a European working port environment. Seawork takes place over three days every year at Mayflower Park, Southampton UK and attracts over 7,500 high calibre commercial marine professionals from over 60 countries,
Seawork is produced by Mercator Media Ltd
Visit www.seawork.com to find out more.
About Mercator
Mercator is a leading events and media company dedicated to all aspects of the maritime industry. Through a diverse range of products, including exhibitions, conferences, news and webinars, Mercator connects every facet of the maritime world, delivering comprehensive solutions to the B2B market.
Visit www.mercatormedia.com for further information.
Issued: 23-02-2026
MERCATOR: Spinnaker House, Waterside Gardens, Fareham, Hampshire PO16 8SD, Tel: +44 1329 825335 | Fax: +44 1329 550192
