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Year: 2024

We welcome two new hires to the Secretariat

Alongside the recent appointment of Lee Billingham, IMCA is pleased to share news of two new hires in the Secretariat, with Jennifer Evans joining the Marine team, and Lou Bendall joining as Head of People Experience. Jennifer Evans, Technical Adviser – Marine Jennifer started as a BP engineer cadet and qualified with an HNC in Engineering and a Combined Engine & Steam Class 4 Certificate of Competency. She was promoted up the ranks before gaining her Chief Engineer’s Class 1 Motor certificate of competency. She has a strong background in Marine and Dynamic Positioning having worked with a range of

New Director of Strategy and Energy Transition at IMCA

IMCA has appointed a new Director of Strategy and Energy Transition, Lee Billingham. Lee has over 20 years’ experience in the energy sector, most recently at Innovateer which supported businesses with strategy development, on scaling sustainable technology, and in developing and commercialising new products and services. Prior to this, he worked for bp in a range of leadership roles. This included working on early concept engineering for major projects and as a Subsea Technical Authority where he oversaw the introduction of new technology, including the company’s first AUV pipeline inspection. He also represented the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) at

What International Day for Women in Maritime means to me

Every year on 18 May the IMO marks the International Day for Women in Maritime and this year’s theme is “Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety”.  As well as celebrating the contribution of women to the maritime industry, there are real safety concerns for women working at sea such as inadequate protective gear, greater risk of injury due to the physically demanding nature of maritime jobs, sexual harassment and assault and critically, isolation and mental health. The IMO’s Symposium, “Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety” will address these concerns by discussing ways we can

IMCA Global Summit: Programme announced

Early Bird tickets are now on sale for the IMCA Global Summit in Utrecht, Netherlands on 3 to 4 December 2024. Bringing our Members and the industry together to explore the major challenges we collectively face, the outline programme for our first global event since 2018 has been shared. With huge expectations to deliver the energy transition, while increasing energy security, our industry is facing a raft of challenges around the sustainability, safety,and people. The IMCA Global Summit’s programme has seven separate sessions, four workshops, three panel debates, and four high-profile keynote speakers. Commenting on the IMCA Global Summit programme

Regional round-up: Bringing our Members together

IMCA held three Regional Meetings in March as part of its IMCA Live programme of global events. IMCA’s Regional Meetings bring Members together to discuss industry issues, explore the latest in recommended best-practice from IMCA, and hear innovation and insight from external industry speakers. They also offer a great opportunity for Members to come together, network face-to-face, and meet IMCA’s technical and business development teams in person. Keep an eye on our regular newsletter Making Waves, on our LinkedIn channel, and on the IMCA website when new meetings are announced.Upcoming dates for your diary! Dubai (15 May) and Singapore (9

Collaborative IMCA and G+ Workshop advances safety for Walk to Work 

Following regulator feedback, offshore safety organisations combine forces to find new solutions to improving safety for Walk to Work.  A Workshop focusing on Walk to Work, organised by IMCA and the Global Offshore Wind Health and Safety Organisation (G+), took place on Tuesday 9 April 2024 at the Energy Institute in London. Attendees, who were drawn from across the membership bases of the two organisations, explored ways of improving safety and performance by placing an emphasis on greater collaboration.   Over 50 experts on the topic attended, including Rhys Jones, Technical Adviser – Marine Renewable Energy, IMCA and Board Member Kate

New President and Vice President for IMCA 

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) announces a new President, Luca Gentili of Saipem.   He replaces Jonathan Tame of Subsea7 who previously held the role and who, in accordance with IMCA’s constitution, came to the end of his two-year term. Hugo Bouvy of Deme Offshore is appointed as new Vice President.  Luca Gentili, Head of Assets, Fabrication and Project Services in Saipem, and new IMCA President said: “I’m delighted to be appointed President of IMCA and I am looking forward to continuing to work with the board, as well as with our CEO Iain Grainger.  IMCA has a key role to

Replay: ProjectGHG Forum

On Wednesday 10 April, IMCA brought the industry together to explore how the industry can meet ambitions from regulators, governments, clients, and colleagues on GHGs. The inaugural ProjectGHG forum was kindly hosted by IMCA Board Member Boskalis at their campus in Papendrecht, Netherlands. Together we welcomed around 100 delegates for a vital conversation on the changing regulatory framework, new carbon taxes, and shifting client expectations. The Forum also created a vital space for industry debates on the solutions required – notably around alternative fuels – and showcased inspirational best practice from Members. Commenting on the ProjectGHG Forum, Lee Billingham, IMCA

Amid rising tensions in Middle East, IMCA writes to Secretary General of UN

IMCA has joined 16 associations representing the maritime industry and has written to Secretary-General Gutteres of the United Nations (UN) to highlight the worrying increase in attacks on vessels, following the latest high-profile incident with MSC Aries in the Strait of Hormuz.  The letter, which was co-signed by IMCA CEO, Iain Grainger, reminded the Secretary-General that, amid rising political tensions in the Middle East, “innocent seafarers have been killed, seafarers are being held hostage.”   It called for an, “enhanced military presence, missions and patrols to protect seafarers against further aggression.” It also called for Member States of the UN to

Workshops reveal DP community’s views on GHG ambitions 

Last year IMCA held two workshops with the Dynamic Positioning (DP) community covering GHG emissions and the challenges for the industry to meet the more stringent IMO GHG Targets for the offshore fleet worldwide.   Held at the DP Asia Conference in Singapore in June 2023 and at the IMCA Regional Meeting in Rio de Janeiro on 9 November 2023, the two workshops reveal differing regional perspectives, as well as common concerns around the new interim targets.   In both Rio and Singapore, workshop participants were experienced DP professionals who shared their knowledge gained from years of working offshore.  Overall, both regions

DP Conference 2024: Bringing the Dynamic Positioning community together 

IMCA is delighted to share details of the programme for the upcoming IMCA Dynamic Positioning (DP) Conference in Amsterdam on Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 May 2024.  Alongside a keynote from IMCA CEO Iain Grainger, the two-day Conference showcases thought leadership and best practice from a range of organisations including the Nautical Institute, Petrobras, DNV, Subsea7, Valaris, Simwave, and Kongsberg Maritime. It also features the latest thinking from IMCA on DP and Safety.  Interactive workshops on Walk to Work and Annual Trials and IMCA M190, as well as engaging panel discussions and Q&A sessions on assurance and training and Position

Working at Sea: IMO review of STCW identifies new focus areas

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended, is an international agreement which sets the standards of competence for seafarers internationally. The 1978 STCW Convention entered into force on 28 April 1984 and since then several revisions have taken place, with the last adopted in 2018.  The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has now started work on the long-awaited comprehensive review of both the Convention and Code. IMCA attended the meeting of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) in February 2024 and participated in the Working Group which was

ProjectGHG Forum: Join us for a vital conversation on GHGs

IMCA is bringing the industry together for a vital conversation on meeting new ambitions for Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) at a one-day seminar in Papendrecht, Netherlands on Wednesday 10 April 2024. Hosted by IMCA board Member Boskalis, the ProjectGHG Forum will welcome anyone with a working interest in this space. In the morning, sessions will explore the challenges faced with Philip Lewis of Intelatus Global Partners sharing the impact of GHGs on market and vessel demand, while Marie-Anne Moussalli of Clyde & Co will dive into their impact on the legal, regulatory, and taxation environments. The changing views of clients will

Recognising exceptional bravery at sea 

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is looking to recognise exceptional acts of bravery with a call for nominations for the IMO Honours for Exceptional Bravery at Sea 2024.  Established by the IMO to provide international recognition for those who have risked their own life to perform acts of exceptional bravery or displayed outstanding courage to save life at sea or mitigate damage to the marine environment, previous winners have also demonstrated extraordinary seamanship skills in often challenging conditions.  The honours – which cover the period from 1 March 2023 to 29 February 2024 – offer three categories of recognition –

Industry shares deep concern over tragic loss of life after Red Sea attack

BIMCO, the International Chamber of Shipping, CLIA, Intercargo, Intertanko, ECSA, OCIMF, and IMCA have issued a joint statement following the attack on the MV True Confidence in the Red Sea on 6 March 2024. “Industry Associations express their deep concern over the tragic loss of life and injuries suffered by the crew of MV True Confidence in an attack in the Red Sea on 6 March 2024. “ “The loss of life and injuries to civilian seafarers is completely unacceptable. Merchant vessels crewed by civilian seafarers transporting global trade have a right to innocent passage through the region without the

Revised Code of Practice equips Members with tools to meet sustainability challenge

IMCA has revised its Code of Practice on Environmental Sustainability. Acknowledging the pressing need for action by the offshore industry, and an even stronger focus from Members on biodiversity loss, sustainability, and the environment, the document has been reclassified to a Code of Practice. This means that IMCA expects the highest level of compliance from its Members on its contents. The first revision since its initial launch three years ago, the new document reflects a rapidly shifting landscape with recently introduced legal requirements such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) now featured. The CSRD requires European Listed companies and

Innovation on display as IMCA chairs Subsea Expo session on ROVs

IMCA was a proud supporter of Subsea Expo in Aberdeen from 20 to 22 February, sponsoring the technical discussions on the Conference’s Teal Stage. An active supporter of the industry event for many years – which offers great opportunities for networking with delegates, meeting Members, staying ahead of industry trends, and on top of the latest technological innovation – several IMCA colleagues attended this year. Among them was Roger Moore, Technical Adviser – Remote Systems & ROV and Offshore Survey, who chaired an industry discussion on ROV Technology & Handling at the Teal Stage. The discussion featured a range of

New diving expert welcomed to IMCA

David Slater has joined IMCA as its new Technical Adviser – Diving   He has a 34-year background in Diving, having worked as an offshore air and saturation diver, project engineer, offshore inspection engineer and workshop manager for companies including Oceanteam, Aquanos, and UTEC in the North Sea, the Middle East, Russia, and Europe.  His most recent role was with the UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) where he’s worked since 2008 as a Diving Specialist Inspector, regulating the safety of divers working in the offshore energy and other sectors of the diving industry.   Joining IMCA’s Diving team, David will work

Join us for a vital industry conversation on GHGs

IMCA invites Members to a vital industry conversation on Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) in Papendrecht, Netherlands on Wednesday 10 April 2024. Kindly hosted by Board member Boskalis, our ProjectGHG Forum will welcome technical experts and business leaders to discuss the challenges in meeting new ambitions on GHGs. With Members facing a raft of changes – including legislative and around taxation – as well as technical and investment decisions which will have repercussions long into the future, there has never been a better time for IMCA to bring the industry together to help find the solutions. The one-day Secretariat-led Seminar will showcase

Circular Economy principles support Members on their sustainability journey

New Guidance from IMCA on the Circular Economy (CE), Practical guidance to implement the circular economy principles (IMCA ES003), supports Members to take their first steps in Circularity – key to making positive progress on sustainability. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) only 9% of raw extracted materials are reused, with nearly two-thirds (62%) of global Greenhouse Gasses produced during their extraction. Worldwide consumption of raw materials has tripled since 1970 and is set to double again in the next 25 years. The Circular Economy aims to reassess our use of all types of products so that they do

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