OCEAN Turns 50 in 2026: Honouring Our Past, Navigating the Present, and Setting the Course for the Future

OCEAN turns 50 in 2026! Brainstorm ideas to help us celebrate our legacy, shaping the present, and setting course for the future of ship supply.

OCEAN – The European Ship Suppliers Organization – will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026, marking five decades of service, advocacy, and industry leadership. Vice-Chair Carl Forsman shares preliminary ideas for a year-long celebration focused on honouring the past, navigating the present, and shaping the future.

OCEAN Turns 50 in 2026: Honouring Our Past, Navigating the Present, and Setting the Course for the Future
By Carl Forsman, Vice-Chair, OCEAN – The European Ship Suppliers Organization

As we move through 2025 and look ahead with purpose and pride, a significant milestone is coming into view. In 2026, OCEAN – The European Ship Suppliers Organization – will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

This anniversary represents far more than the passage of time. It stands as a powerful testament to five decades of service, advocacy, and commitment to Europe’s ship supply industry. It reflects the unwavering dedication of our members and the critical role that OCEAN continues to play in representing, informing, and connecting our sector.

We are excited to share our initial thoughts on how we might mark this extraordinary occasion. Our planning is guided by the motto: “Honouring the past, navigating the present, and setting the course for the future.” While not everything is decided yet, these ideas reflect the direction we would like to pursue – and we invite your input as we shape this together.

To keep you informed, we have launched a dedicated anniversary webpage, which will serve as a central hub for updates, resources, and announcements throughout the year:

? Website of OCEAN's 50th anniversary

We want to celebrate with you all year long – from 1 January to 31 December 2026. A full year of reflection, recognition, and renewal!

Honouring the Past

We are proud of our legacy and believe it deserves to be preserved, shared, and celebrated. To honour our history, we are exploring a range of possible initiatives, such as:

• Highlighting key milestones in OCEAN’s development over the past five decades through curated website content.

• Showcasing historic photos, documents, and member contributions through a special anniversary section on our internal website.

• Sharing stories and reflections from past and present Board Members in the form of blog entries that capture personal memories and the spirit of our organisation.

We welcome your suggestions and contributions – if you have materials or anecdotes to share, we would love to hear from you.

Navigating the Present

While we reflect on our legacy, we also recognise the need to remain visible, active, and relevant in today's rapidly evolving trade environment.

Among the ideas under discussion:

• Creating a refreshed informational brochure about OCEAN – available in multiple languages – to support local outreach efforts by members.

• Exploring the possibility of online meet-ups, hosted by different national members, to connect directly with OCEAN’s leadership and foster dialogue on key policy and sectoral developments.

• Hosting a special Spring Board Meeting in 2026, which could include a formal dinner to mark our anniversary and potentially the unveiling of a commissioned anniversary painting.

• Launching a 50th anniversary logo, which would be featured in all communication materials throughout 2026.

• Publishing blog entries throughout the year to showcase how OCEAN supports its members and drives forward the ship supply industry in Europe today.

Please note: These are working ideas and subject to member feedback and further planning.

Setting the Course for the Future

Our 50th anniversary is not only a time for reflection, but also a springboard for the future. As we look ahead, we are considering several long-term ambitions, such as:

• Growing our Supporter Scheme to strengthen advocacy and expand the value we deliver to members.

• Exploring the possibility of a modernized website, aligned with modern usability and accessibility standards.

• Refreshing our visual identity to better reflect our values and mission.

• Continuing to strengthen our social media presence, with the goal of reaching 1,000+ followers and using these platforms to share insights and connect with the wider maritime community.

• Publishing forward-looking content that addresses key trends, challenges, and opportunities in the ship supply sector.

These are aspirations that reflect our commitment to building a strong, forward-facing OCEAN.

Join Us on This Journey

Our 50th anniversary will be a time to reflect, reconnect, and reimagine. It is an opportunity to celebrate our shared achievements and renew our commitment to the future of the European ship supply industry.

We invite all members, partners, and stakeholders to be part of this journey. Visit our anniversary page regularly. Share your memories and ideas. Join us at our events. Let’s celebrate, together.

Let’s honour our past, navigate the present, and set a confident course for the future.