Industry–science partnership recognised at the 2026 Renewable UK Global Offshore Wind Awards for its innovative approach to advancing ocean research, marine biodiversity knowledge and environmental monitoring.
The BORA Blue Ocean Research Alliance® has won the Environmental Excellence Award at the 2026 Renewable UK Global Offshore Wind Awards, recognising its innovative approach to advancing ocean science and environmental understanding through collaboration between offshore industry and the ocean scientific community.
A partnership between Subsea7, Seaway7 and the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), the Alliance demonstrates how combining world-leading expertise with offshore capabilities, infrastructure and resources can create valuable opportunities for environmental research, improve marine biodiversity knowledge and support more informed environmental decision-making.
Established in 2021 and endorsed under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development since 2023, the Alliance has advanced collaborative ocean research through initiatives including Eyes in the Ocean and BORAbox®, alongside sediment sampling and fish habitat mapping.
By enabling offshore personnel to contribute to scientific research and biodiversity data collection, the Alliance is helping turn routine offshore operations into valuable opportunities to improve understanding of the marine environment.
Liz James, Group Environmental Director at Subsea7, who attended the awards ceremony, said:
“We are delighted that BORA Blue Ocean Research Alliance® has received this prestigious recognition. This award demonstrates what can be achieved when industry and science work together, combining our offshore expertise and operational capabilities with world-leading scientific knowledge to advance understanding of the marine environment.
It is also a testament to the commitment and enthusiasm of everyone involved, particularly our offshore teams, whose contributions are helping turn everyday operations into valuable opportunities for scientific discovery.”
The award represents an important milestone for the BORA Blue Ocean Research Alliance® community, recognising the collective achievements and dedication of its members, researchers, supporters and offshore personnel. It also reinforces the value of long-term collaboration between industry and science in addressing important gaps in ocean knowledge, supporting evidence-based environmental decision-making and contributing to a more sustainable ocean.
