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Press Release /10
MAJOR MILESTONE REACHED BY IMCA – OVER 700 MEMBERS GLOBALLY
The International Marine Contractors Association (located in Hall M, Stand number
1218 at ONS) is marking this year's ONS by announcing the passing of a major membership
milestone – over 700 member companies from 56 countries.
"Less than a year ago we announced we had passed the 600-member mark. Bearing in
mind the recent economic situation and consequent industry downturn it is indeed
a major achievement to see membership continue to grow so dramatically," says Hugh
Williams, IMCA's Chief Executive. "It shows the strength of a proactive trade association
with everyone pulling together. Our members globally continue to realise the benefits
of, sharing information, profiting from the IMCA 'knowledge base' and speaking with
one voice.
"The geographic spread is highly rewarding," he adds. "This has generated growth
across all membership categories from contractors and suppliers, through to corresponding
members (oil company, government agency and other associations). Ensuring safe and
efficient operations offering value to clients around the globe remains at the heart
of the IMCA ethos.
"We have sections for: Central & South America; North America; Europe & Africa;
Middle East & India; and lastly, Asia-Pacific. Two geographical areas are opening
up for us; Russia and China. We now have some Chinese members and are addressing
diving issues in China; and we are also seeing growing interest from Russia. This
Russian interest was particularly evident at this year's Oceanology International
where visitors came to our stand, some of them speaking through interpreters, saying,
'We have heard of IMCA and we want to understand what it means. We want to work
with you and we want to join IMCA'. Those are the two areas that I definitely see
becoming more relevant for us. "
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 and
now in 2010 over 700 member companies from well over 50 countries.
The growth of membership sees an ever-busier work programme for the Association
and with that an increase in size of the Secretariat. By this Autumn there will
be a team of 19 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
member companies in: Angola, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium,
Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Congo, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland,
France, Germany, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya,
Kuwait, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines,
Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, The Netherlands, Trinidad, 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 (Central & South
America; North America; Europe & Africa; Middle East & India; Asia-Pacific). IMCA
holds two major peripatetic events each year - the IMCA annual seminar (taking place
in Dubai in November 2010 with the theme Delivering Value in Marine 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 Northern Italy in February 2011.
Further information on IMCA's work on behalf of its growing membership is available
from www.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@imca-int.com
Notes to Editors (common)
- IMCA is an international association with well over 800 members in 60 countries, as at September 2011, representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies. IMCA has four technical divisions, covering marine/specialist vessel operations, offshore diving, hydrographic survey and remote systems and ROVs, plus geographic sections for the Asia-Pacific, South America, Europe & Africa, Middle East & India and Central & North America regions. As well as a core focus on safety, the environment, competence and training. IMCA seeks to promote its members' common interests, to resolve industry-wide issues and to provide an authoritative voice for its members.
- IMCA publishes some 200 guidance notes and technical reports. These have been developed over the years and are widely distributed. They are a definition of what IMCA stands for, including widely recognised diving and ROV codes of practice, DP documentation, marine good practice guidance, the Common Marine Inspection Document, safety recommendation, outline training syllabi and the IMCA competence scheme guidance. In addition to the range of printed guidance documents, IMCA also produces safety promotional materials, circulates information notes and safety flashes.
- Judith Patten is here to help you if you want any additional information on IMCA; would like to discuss a feature article; want to organise interviews with key members of the IMCA team, etc.
Press releases issued by:
Judith Patten at JPPR
34 Ellerker Gardens, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 6AA, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8241 1912
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8940 6211
judithpatten@wwmail.co.uk
For more details, please contact Hugh Williams, IMCA Chief Executive
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