IMCA membership hits the 800-mark

Published on 7 September 2011

The International Marine Contractors Association (Stand number 1D64) is marking this year’s SPE Offshore Europe by announcing the passing of a major membership milestone – over 800 member companies from 61 countries.

“We have actually reached 808 member companies around the globe, a net increase of over 60 during 2011; of over a hundred since this time last year; and 200 more than at the time of Offshore Europe 2009,” explains IMCA’s Chief Executive, Hugh Williams. “These constant increases in membership are highly gratifying and enormously important in increasing IMCA’s recognition around the world.

“The overall increase is around 9%, but diving contractor membership has increased by 12% and we have 14% more Corresponding (generally oil company clients) members – increasing membership in this category was a particular aim for 2011. It is good too to see above average increases in our Central & North America section and our newest section – South America.

“IMCA’s is a respected voice around the world promoting good practice, particularly in the areas of health, safety and environmental standards, quality and efficiency and technical standards – the vast majority of our guidance and other documents are available for downloading free of charge,” adds Hugh Williams. “In addition to two core divisions, Competence & Training and Safety, Environment & Legislation (SEL) IMCA has four technical divisions – Diving, Marine, Offshore Survey, and Remote Systems & ROVs. All are engaged in ensuring that safe and efficient marine operations – dependent on the right choice of design, equipment and procedures as well as using trained, experienced and competent personnel – are maintained. Additionally, there are five regional sections.”

This year’s SPE Offshore Europe sees a special IMCA meeting on 7 September, from 09.30 hrs at the AECC, where the IMCA Europe & Africa section will discuss its work programme including new contracting materials, decommissioning and the new Renewables Workgroup.

Growth over the years
The association was formed in 1995 when the International Association of Offshore Diving Contractors (AODC) and the DP Vessel Owners Association (DPVOA) merged to form IMCA with a membership of around 100. By 2002 there were 200 members; it took four years to reach 300 member companies in 2006, but since then the Association has seen dramatic growth with 400 members in 2007, 500 in 2008, 600 in 2009, 700 in 2010 and now over 800 member companies from 61 countries.

The growth of membership sees an ever-busier work programme for the Association and with that an increase in size of the Secretariat with a team of more than 20 at the IMCA headquarters in Central London

About IMCA membership
Membership of IMCA is open to companies active in all areas of the offshore, marine and underwater engineering industry. There are now IMCA members in: Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, The Netherlands, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America and Vietnam.

Each member organisation (membership is not open to individuals) joins one or more of IMCA’s four technical divisions – Diving, Marine, Offshore Survey, Remote Systems & ROV – according to its own areas of operation and expertise; and gains access to the core world-wide activities (safety, environment & legislation, and competence & training) of the association and to its local regional section (Asia-Pacific, Central & North America; Europe & Africa; Middle East & India; and South America).

IMCA holds two major peripatetic events each year – the IMCA annual seminar (taking place 9 -10 November at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, New Orleans, USA, with the theme The Future of Marine and Subsea Operations) – this is open to the industry including members, their clients and all others interested in offshore marine contracting; and the annual IMCA safety seminar (open solely to members). The next safety seminar takes place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in March 2012.

Further information on IMCA’s work on behalf of its growing membership is available from Stand 1D64; from legacy.imca-int.com and from the association at 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0AU, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7824 5520; Fax: +44 (0)20 7824 5521; or by emailing imca@legacy.imca-int.com