Skip to content

IMCA announces strategic appointment in the USA

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has announced that Bruce Gresham has been appointed as director for client engagement in the USA, in a part-time consulting role. He will be supporting the Association in developing and expanding its engagement with oil companies and the broader industry in the United States. Mr Gresham has over 30 years’ experience in the offshore construction industry. He joined Heerema Marine Contractors in 1985 and held a wide range of executive roles in developing the company’s successful market presence in North America. He retired in 2017 and is retained as an adviser. Bruce is the

IMCA updates 'Guidance on Safety in Shipyards'

Updated to include information on traffic management in shipyards Revised document addresses occupational health and worker fitness/health in shipyards The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has updated its ‘Guidance on Safety in Shipyards’ IMCA HSSE 032, IMCA M 221. The document provides guidance to vessel owners and operators when preparing contracts and procedures for vessel dry docking or extended maintenance periods alongside in a shipyard. Originally published in 2013, the revised document addresses traffic management in shipyards. Nick Hough, IMCA Technical Adviser – HSSE, Offshore Survey and ROV, said: “It is important to establish a safe working environment for all

IMCA announces new President

Iain Grainger of McDermott becomes IMCA’s new President and Chairman of the Board In accordance with its constitution, International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) announces that Iain Grainger is its new President and Chairman of the Board. Iain, Vice President Commercial at McDermott, takes over from Harke Jan Meek. Furthermore, that Pieter Heerema from Allseas becomes the new Vice President. Iain Grainger said: “My aim is to increase the impact and effectiveness of IMCA to its members and other stakeholders through the implementation of our strategy developed over the last year. I have a particular passion in developing collaborative ‘win-win’ relationships

IMCA Advisers to update Vessel Inspectors on eCMID and Dynamic Positioning Vessels at spring Seminar

IMCA to put eCMID eDatabase and reactivation of DP vessels in the seminar spotlight 30% increase in eCMID and eMISW reports Two members of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) Secretariat will be making contributions to the forthcoming eCMID Accredited Vessel Inspectors (AVIs) Seminar to be held on 22 May in London.   IMCA’s Technical Manager, Mark Ford, will give an update on the eCMID system, while Captain Andy Goldsmith will look at the reactivation of DP vessels.   Mark Ford said: “The seminar is an opportunity to share information following the changes we made in January ensuring that only

IMCA Lifting & Rigging Seminar to focus on cranes

Codes and standards; operators’ experience; suppliers; and training, academia and test houses come under the conference spotlight Seminar – 27 September, Novotel Hotel, Amsterdam The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has announced details of its annual ‘Lifting & Rigging Seminar – return to offshore cranes’. The seminar will focus on all aspects of offshore cranes – types, applications (including offshore, subsea, wind, heavy lift and decommissioning), operational modes, practical experience, new developments (hybrid/fibre based, digitalisation) and the future of subsea lifting. It will to take place on 27 September at the Novotel Hotel, Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam. Mark Ford, IMCA’s Technical

IMCA Lifting & Rigging Seminar to Focus on Cranes

Codes and standards; operators’ experience; suppliers; and training, academia and test houses come under the conference spotlight Seminar – 27 September, Novotel Hotel, Amsterdam The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has announced details of its annual ‘Lifting & Rigging Seminar – return to offshore cranes’. The seminar will focus on all aspects of offshore cranes – types, applications (including offshore, subsea, wind, heavy lift and decommissioning), operational modes, practical experience, new developments (hybrid/fibre based, digitalisation) and the future of subsea lifting. It will to take place on 27 September at the Novotel Hotel, Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam. Mark Ford, IMCA’s Technical

IMCA issues revised Lifting Operations Guidance

Extensive revision to all Guidance sections and the inclusion of additional key appendices IMCA’s Technical Manager to speak on the revised Guidance at International Offshore Crane and Lifting Conference The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) has issued revised ‘Guidelines for lifting operations‘ (IMCA LR006, SEL019, D060, and M187) after an extensive review of all sections of the document, and added appendices on subsea lifts, diving operations, lifting personnel, lifting at extreme heights and dismantlement of offshore structures. The additions to the main body of the Guidance document are designed to ensure greater levels of safety. These include: a new lift

IMCA appoints Helix Well Ops executive to its Board

Steve Sheppard joins IMCA Governing Board The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) is pleased to confirm the appointment of Stephen Sheppard to its Governing Board. Mr Sheppard is the Diving Manager at Helix Well Ops (U.K.) Ltd, which has been a strong supporter of IMCA over many years. He has extensive industry experience in diving operations and is known as an industry expert in diving health and medical issues. He is an honours graduate from Aberdeen University with a degree in Physiology. Allen Leatt, IMCA’s CEO said: “We are very pleased to have Steve on our Board. Steve knows IMCA

IMCA and OCIMF to work together to improve OVID

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) have agreed to establish a joint committee to review, share and progress developments of the Offshore Vessel Inspection Database (OVID) system. The aim will be to improve the efficiency of the vessel assurance process by pooling the knowledge and expertise of oil companies and their marine contractors, while at the same time maintaining the highest standards of vessel assurance and risk management. The joint committee will discuss and review various elements of the system on an ongoing basis, to ensure continuous improvement. Elements to be reviewed

IMCA puts personal resilience on the agenda at MCEDD

CEO provides insight into resilience in the workplace Over 4,000 downloads since scheme was launched in late January Allen Leatt, Chief Executive of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), will be speaking at the Marine, Construction & Engineering (MCE) Deepwater Development Technical Conference (Milan, 9-11 April) on IMCA’s latest safety initiative on “Resilience in the Workplace”. Since the IMCA Resilience Awareness Programme was launched online in late January, there have been over 4,000 downloads and views from the IMCA website and its YouTube page. The programme was developed by leading members of IMCA eager to help the industry’s workforce cope

IMCA introduces changes to its eCMID vessel inspection database

Over 2,300 vessels listed on the eCMID database The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has seen a marked increase in the use of its eCMID inspection scheme for offshore vessels that benefit from an independent International Safety Management health check. Over 2,300 vessels from more than 1,000 owners and operators are now listed on the eCMID database, which is consulted by more than 3,800 users each year. Inspections are undertaken by almost 400 Accredited Vessel Inspectors (AVIs) – and this number is rapidly expanding. To manage the increase in use and enable enhancements to the eCMID website and software, IMCA

Encouraging uptake for IMCA's personal resilience videos

Over 2,000 downloads in first four weeks Developed by leading members of IMCA for use by the offshore oil & gas industry The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) Resilience Awareness Programme, launched online in late January, is demonstrating highly encouraging downloading statistics. The first four weeks have seen well over 2,000 downloads from the IMCA website and its YouTube page. The programme was developed by leading members of IMCA eager to help the industry’s workforce cope and adjust to challenging issues in recent years. It is tailored specifically for the men and women working in the marine contracting industry but

IMCA's Mark Ford joins IACS Advisory Committee

IMCA’s Technical Manager to support International Association of Classification Societies’ Quality System Certification Scheme The International Marine Contractor’s (IMCA) Technical Manager, Mark Ford, has been unanimously endorsed by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) to become a member of the IACS Advisory Committee (AVC). In welcoming Mark Ford to the Committee, Knut Ørbeck-Nilseen, IACS Council Chairman said: “We extend our warmest welcome on behalf of IACS and look forward to Mark’s positive and valuable contributions to the AVC and the further development of IACS Quality System Certification Scheme (QSCS).” Mark Ford joined the IMCA Secretariat in 2012 from Charles

Marine contracting industry launches personal resilience awareness programme

IMCA member companies work together on the programme Resilience help us make better-quality decisions in stressful situations Leading members of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) have come together to develop the IMCA Resilience Awareness Programme tailored specifically for the men and women working in the marine contracting industry. They did this in the knowledge that one of the key attributes of a successful organisation is its ability to cope and adjust to the many challenging issues in the industry today. The capability of an organisation to do this effectively is largely dictated by the resilience of its people. Allen

IMCA puts dynamic positioning developments in the spotlight

IMCA’s Andy Goldsmith to speak at European DP conference IMCA provides DP event reporting across marine construction industry The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) Capt Andy Goldsmith, Technical Adviser – Marine, will be speaking on crucial aspects of Dynamic Positioning (DP) at the European DP Conference in London on 6 February. IMCA has been at the forefront of DP since it was first introduced to the offshore industry. Guidance and station keeping event reports provided by IMCA Members are used throughout the industry. Capt Goldsmith explains: “Working with IMCA members on the preparation of vital guidance aimed at increasing safety

IMCA MEI Business Development Adviser receives Life Time Achievement Award

The International Marine Contractors Association’s (IMCA) Capt Chris Rodricks has been awarded a prestigious Life Time Achievement Award at the Indywood Maritime Excellence Awards. Chris, recently appointed as IMCA’s business development adviser for the Middle East & India, was presented with the honour by the principal guest at the event Mohammed Ibrahim Alqahthani of Saudi Aramco. Mohammed Ibrahim Alqahthani presents the award to Chris Rodricks The Indywood Maritime Excellence Awards are organised in association with the International Maritime Club and are designed to recognise and facilitate efforts made by maritime organisations and personalities towards the development of their sector. IMCA’s

New Head of Communications at IMCA

Achilleas Georgiou has been appointed Head of Communications at the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) and joined the association on 27 November. “I am delighted to welcome Achilleas to IMCA,” said Allen Leatt, IMCA’s Chief Executive. “He will report to me and use his wealth of experience and proven track record of success in managing communications in the marine contracting and related industries to help raise IMCA’s profile. This will enable us to influence and shape the marine energy industry, and thus become a leading voice for our members – offshore, marine and underwater engineering contractors in more than 60

Middle East & India Appointment Made by IMCA

Chris Rodricks has been appointed in a business development role for the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) in their Middle East & India Region. “Chris is well known to IMCA and its members, having been Chairman of our Middle East & India Region for the past six years, until his retirement as Managing Director of Seamec earlier this year,” explains IMCA’s Chief Executive, Allen Leatt. “He is a Master Mariner by professional background, and has had a long and distinguished career in operational and management roles with leading industry names such as India Steamship, Essar Shipping, GAL Offshore, Seabulk Offshore;

Middle East & India appointment made by IMCA

Chris Rodricks has been appointed in a business development role for the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) in their Middle East & India Region. “Chris is well known to IMCA and its members, having been Chairman of our Middle East & India Region for the past six years, until his retirement as Managing Director of Seamec earlier this year,” explains IMCA’s Chief Executive, Allen Leatt. “He is a Master Mariner by professional background, and has had a long and distinguished career in operational and management roles with leading industry names such as India Steamship, Essar Shipping, GAL Offshore, Seabulk Offshore;

Final five IMCA safety videos and pocket cards available

The suite of 15 new safety training videos and associated pocket cards has now been completed by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA). The final five videos and cards in the ‘Be prepared to work safely‘ series are now available. “There was very positive feedback to the first ten duo of videos and pocket cards and we are delighted to be able to launch the final five in the series in the knowledge that they will help to keep safety in the forefront of the minds of our members’ workforce,” explains Richard Benzie, IMCA’s Technical Director. “The five latest videos