Following IMCA's 2025 Communications and Membership Survey Members expressed a desire for a number of changes designed to streamline the Membership experience.
These requests are reflected directly in the below structural changes:
From 1 January 2027, a clearer set of four membership categories replaces the previous, more complex sub-category structure. This makes membership easier to navigate for everyone.
Contractor: Offshore marine and diving contractors operating vessels and providing specialist services.
Supplier: Companies supplying equipment, technology, and services to the offshore energy industry. The existing global, regional, and small supplier tiers carry over unchanged.
Training Provider: Previously a sub-category of Supplier, Training Provider is now a standalone category covering training schools and training course providers.
Energy Company: Operators and energy companies engaged in offshore energy production and development.
Introducing Groups - The New Administrative Structure
Alongside the updated categories, IMCA is introducing two Groups for administrative and pricing purposes. This is an administrative framework only - your technical divisions, communities, and identity remain exactly as they are.
Group 1: Diving: Covers Diving plus all core IMCA activities, including Lifting & Rigging, Safety, Sustainability, and more.
Group 2: Marine: Covers Marine, including ROV, Offshore Survey, and DP, plus all core IMCA activities including Lifting & Rigging, Safety, Sustainability, and more.
Members can belong to one Group or both, depending on the nature of their work. The practical effects:
- Better document access than under the previous structure.
- Upgrading to full access across both Groups offers better value than under the previous four-division model.
Divisions continue to shape technical participation, events, and engagement - Groups are for administration and pricing only.
Support for Smaller Contractors
A dedicated pathway exists for smaller companies and start-ups within the Contractor category. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis by the IMCA membership team, and Small Contractor status is awarded where appropriate. This route is live from 1 January 2027.
Any queries relating to eligibility should be directed to the membership team - IMCA encourages companies to have that conversation early.
Training Membership - What's Changing
Training is a key development area for IMCA. From 2027, Training Provider becomes a fully established standalone membership category, with a clear distinction drawn between membership and accreditation.
Training Member
A company can join as a Training Member if they offer training in, or related to, offshore construction - including OEMs, schools, universities, and companies. Managed by the Membership team.
Course Accreditation
Any Training Member can apply to have one or more of their courses accredited against IMCA technical documentation. This is optional, except for diving where accreditation remains mandatory.
Accreditation Audits and Fees
The costs and processes for audits, accreditation work, and revalidation will be fully reviewed in 2027, there will be no changes to fees and processes in 2027.
Affiliate Membership - Changes From 2028
From 2028, Affiliate membership will be retired. It will be replaced by a simpler, clearer structure offering additional certificates of membership to eligible Members, or full membership where appropriate.
Recognition under the new approach will be based on how an organisation operates - not on ownership or group affiliation - so the same principles apply consistently to everyone.
Full details will be communicated well ahead of the 2028 implementation date.
The membership team is available to answer any questions in the meantime.
Associate Membership
Associate Membership is designed for organisations that support the offshore construction industry but are not contractors, suppliers, or training providers. It is particularly suited to:
Academic institutions and research organisations involved in commercial research projects - providing safe access to IMCA documents for companies and academics working with commercial organisations and IMCA Members.
Independent consultants - sole practitioners registered as companies who support the industry in an advisory capacity.
As an Associate Member, organisations can:
- Join one or more IMCA divisions, aligned to the areas of the industry that matter most to them.
- Access IMCA documents for each of the divisions they choose to join.
IMCA Partnerships
In April 2026, IMCA launched a new Partner scheme for not-for-profit organisations, NGOs, and regulators that work alongside IMCA to shape industry practice. Two partner types are currently being introduced:
Strategic Partners
Key industry organisations working at senior level with IMCA on shared values and outcomes. Examples include OCIMF, IOGP, and G+.
Technical Partners
Regulators and technical bodies working with IMCA's technical teams on guidance, safety, and committees. Examples include the Brazilian Navy and HSE.
This scheme is for not-for-profit and regulatory organisations only. It does not affect commercial organisations - companies and consultants continue to apply as Contractors, Suppliers, or Training Providers exactly as today.
For Members, the Partner scheme means:
- Clearer relationships and expectations with key external bodies.
- Better alignment with the goals of IMCA Strategy 2030.
- Stronger collaboration on guidance, safety initiatives, committees, SIGs, and events.