BIMCO is the world’s largest international shipping association, with 2,300 members in around 130 countries. We provide a wide range of services to our global membership – which includes shipowners, operators, managers, brokers and agents. BIMCO’s core objective is to facilitate the commercial operations of our members by developing standard contracts and clauses, and providing quality information, advice and education.

» BMP4 Best Management Practices for Protection against Somalia Based Piracy. Suggested Planning and Operational Practices for Ship Operators and Masters of Ships Transiting the High Risk Area (Version 4 – August 2011) Scotland, Witherby Publishing Group, 2011: PDF

Intercargo members operate predominantly Bulk Carriers in the international dry bulk trades, such as coal, grain, iron ore and other bulk commodities. Our main role is to work with our members, the regulators and other Shipping Associations to ensure that shipping operates safely, efficiently, environmentally and profitably. To do this, we actively participate in the development of global legislation through the International Maritime Organization and other similar bodies.

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» International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code Pocket Guide: PDF

On November 7, 1955, some 100 delegates from 38 ports and maritime organizations in 14 countries gathered in Los Angeles to announce the creation of the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH). It marked its 50th Anniversary in 2005. Over the past five decades, IAPH has developed into a global alliance of ports, representing today some 200 ports in 85 countries. The member ports together handle well over 60% of the world's sea-borne trade and nearly 80% of the world container traffic. It is a non-profit-making and non-governmental organization (NGO) headquartered in Tokyo, Japan..

» World Port News

» Statistics

Established in 1921, ICS is the principal international trade association for the shipping industry, representing shipowners and operators in all sectors and trades. ICS membership comprises national shipowners' associations in Asia, Europe and the Americas whose member shipping companies operate over 80% of the world's merchant tonnage. ICS is concerned with all technical, legal, employment affairs and policy issues that may affect international shipping.

» ICS Membership

» Key Issues > Piracy: A collection of very informative resources

IHO is an intergovernmental consultative and technical organization that was established in 1921 to support safety of navigation and the protection of the marine environment. The object of the Organization is to bring about: The coordination of the activities of national hydrographic offices; the greatest possible uniformity in nautical charts and documents; the adoption of reliable and efficient methods of carrying out and exploiting hydrographic surveys; and the development of the sciences in the field of hydrography and the techniques employed in descriptive oceanography .

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» Standards & Publications

Founded in 1995, IMCA is a trade association and exists for the benefit of its members across the offshore, marine and underwater engineering industry. They provide members with guidance, allowing them to 'self-regulate' rather than look to clients or governments for setting rules and procedures. IMCA promotes improvements in quality, health, safety, and environmental and technical standards through the publication of guidance and information notes, codes of practice, and by other appropriate means.

» IMCA Member Directory

» Safety, Environment & Legislation

The IMB is a non-profit making organization, established in 1981 to act as a focal point in the fight against all types of maritime crime and malpractice. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) in its resolution A 504 (XII) (5) and (9) adopted on 20 November 1981, has inter alia, urged governments, all interests and organizations to cooperate and exchange information with each other and the IMB with a view to maintaining and developing a co-ordinated action in combating maritime fraud.

As a specialized agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.

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» Documents and Resources (Needs registration for access)

IMPA was formed thanks to the initiative of pilots’ associations from the five continents whose representatives met in Kiel, Germany in June 1970. IMPA was officially launched in Amsterdam in May 1971. To date, it has some 8,000 members in well over 40 countries. IMPA seeks to achieve its principal objective the promotion of professionally sound and safe pilotage.

» IMPA Media

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea was opened for signature at Montego Bay, Jamaica, on 10 December 1982. It entered into force 12 years later, on 16 November 1994. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is an independent judicial body established by the Convention to adjudicate disputes arising out of the interpretation and application of the Convention.

» Basic Texts

» List of Cases.

INTERTANKO stands for safe transport, cleaner seas and free competition. INTERTANKO is a forum where the industry meets, policies are discussed and statements are created. It is a valuable source of first-hand information, opinions and guidance. As of January 2014, the organisation had 212 members, whose combined fleet comprises some 3,040 tankers totalling 270 million dwt. INTERTANKO's associate membership stands at some 300 companies related to the tanker industry.

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» Insurance and Legal (Restricted to members)