In a commentary, SMU School of Economics graduate Chen Wei, who is also a researcher in the Singapore Office of Douglas-Westwood, noted that global expenditure for subsea vessel operations will undoubtedly grow over the next five years. He added that this increase in expenditure will be driven by growing requirements for vessels to operate in harsh conditions in isolated regions, for longer duration on site and by the large increase in deep-water activities. Chen also noted that the outlook for subsea vessel activities will be robust over the forecast period in regions such as Asia, Africa, Latin America and North America.