In March 2025, the OMG UNB – CCOM UNH Multibeam Course marked a major milestone by traveling to Helsinki for MBC85. Hosted by Traficom, this session was particularly significant: it was the first time the course was held in Finland and represented the largest gathering of participants outside the United States in the course’s 30-year history.
A Milestone for International Hydrography
The week in Helsinki was a testament to the global nature of seafloor mapping, bringing together experts from across the world to share knowledge and advance national expertise.
- Global & Local Participation: The course hosted more than 70 participants from all over the world.
- Strengthening Finnish Expertise: A significant contingent of 26 participants from eight different Finnish organizations attended, building a strong foundation for the future of hydrographic surveying in the region.
- Scientific Rigor: The week-long package consisted of 36 intensive lectures, guiding experts through a wide range of practical hydrographic technologies and the latest scientific research.
Hosting the Community
The event was a collaborative success, highlighting the importance of international training in developing regional capabilities.
“We are happy that the course will be held in Finland this year and that we were able to host it. In particular, the participation of so many Finnish operators in the course provides a good basis for further developing Finland’s national expertise in hydrographic surveying.” — Jani Pötrönen, Senior Officer at Traficom’s Surveying Unit
Thank You to Our Hosts
We would like to extend our gratitude to Traficom for their hospitality and effort in hosting this record-breaking session. The high level of engagement from the Finnish hydrographic community made MBC85 a truly memorable event in our 30-year history.