Chief of Royal Australian Navy Hosts Largest RAN Sea Power Conference to Date

January 30, 2012

More than 1000 delegates representing 35 countries, including first time attendee Nigeria, will attend the largest Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sea Power Conference in Sydney from 31 January to 2 February 2012.

Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AM CSC RAN, will host nearly 50 flag-rank officers of Chief of Navy level from overseas, or their representative, and more than 25 international and local maritime experts who will speak to the conference theme, ‘The Naval Contribution to National Security and Prosperity.’

Captain Gordon Andrew, RAN, Sea Power Conference Director, said the conference, now in its twelfth year, is one of the most significant events on the naval and maritime industry calendar.

“It’s an important forum for navies from around the globe to come together and discuss the essential role that the sea plays in a nation’s economic and social prosperity,” Captain Andrew said.

“By conference end, all those attending will have a greater understanding of the challenges facing the maritime community in the future, both here in the Asia-Pacific region but also further abroad.”

As part of the conference, five RAN ships will be open for delegate tours including the newest amphibious acquisition HMAS Choules, and two frigates, HMA Ships Sydney and Ballarat berthed at Garden Island and two Mine Hunter Coastals HMAS Huon and HMAS Yarra berthed at Cockle Bay.

Conference attendees will also be treated to a Sunset Ceremony and Beat to Quarters conducted by the RAN Band and Australian Federation Guard Navy Detachment on 31 January. Members of the public are welcome to watch this spectacular centuries old military tradition on the Darling Harbour foreshore.

The RAN Sea Power Conference is an integral part of the biennial Pacific 2012 Maritime Congress, and Exposition, conducted by Maritime Australia Limited, and Pacific 2012 International Maritime Conference, hosted by Engineers Australia, the Royal Institution of Naval Architects and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology.

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Naval Today Staff , January 30, 2012; Image: seapowerconference