International Chamber of Shipping

What International Chamber of Shipping does

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal global trade association for shipowners and operators, founded in 1921 and headquartered in London at Walsingham House, Seething Lane, with branch presences in Singapore and Shanghai (the latter opened in 2019 as the China Liaison Office). ICS is structured as a UK not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, operating through wholly-owned subsidiaries Marisec Ltd (secretariat services) and Marisec Publications (commercial publishing). It holds consultative status with the International Maritime Organization since 1961 — the first shipping industry association granted this status — and parallel status with the International Labour Organization on the Maritime Labour Convention. Membership comprises approximately 40 national shipowner associations from Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe, collectively representing over 80% of the world merchant tonnage.

ICS's product surface spans four interlocking lines: (1) software tools — ISF Watchkeeper for monitoring seafarer work-and-rest-hours compliance with STCW and MLC, and ISF Verify for industry verification; (2) the ICS Academy e-learning platform offering maritime training courses priced from £15 to £95 per module; (3) the ICS Publications catalogue of more than 250 best-practice guidelines, including the Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals, Sixth Edition, £480), ISGOTT, Bridge/Engine Room/Deck Procedures Guides, the Cyber Security Workbook, and industry-standard analytical reports such as the jointly-published BIMCO/ICS Seafarer Workforce Report and the ICS Maritime Barometer; and (4) the ICS Maritime Hub, a corporate meeting venue in the City of London accommodating up to 70 people. Distribution is direct via ics-shipping.org and supplemented by the Witherby Publishing Group for print/ebook sales.

Revenue is generated through four streams: recurring membership dues from national shipowner associations (undisclosed pricing), unit-priced publication sales, per-course e-learning fees, and venue rental. The organization is governed by an annually elected Chairman (currently John Denholm CBE, elected June 2026) and a professional secretariat led by Secretary General Thomas A. Kazakos. Strategic priorities evidenced in 2025-2026 center on decarbonization pathway analysis (OCCS Review), regulatory harmonization (joint EU/IMO Ship Recycling study with ECSA), workforce planning (Seafarer Workforce Report 2026), seafarer welfare and humanitarian maritime cooperation (revised Rescue at Sea Guide with UNHCR and IMO), and convening industry through the annual Shaping the Future of Shipping Summit.

Name

International Chamber of Shipping

Legal name

International Chamber of Shipping Limited

Website

https://ics-shipping.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1921

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The International Chamber of Shipping is the London-based global trade association for shipowners, founded in 1921, representing approximately 40 national associations covering over 80% of world merchant tonnage and holding consultative status with the IMO and ILO. It delivers industry-standard publications, compliance software, e-learning, and policy advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Trade Association Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Ship & Port Security Audits, Inspections & Certification (Flag/Class/PSC Support) (TLAHANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maritime Safety, Security & Compliance (STCW/ISM/ISPS) (EDAOANAD), Classification Society & Flag-State Liaison / Plan Approval Support (IMAJAGAN), Maritime/Port Facility Security (ISPS) Training (BPAKAOAL)

Keywords

• Maritime trade association
• Shipping industry advocacy
• Maritime safety publications
• Seafarer compliance software
• Maritime professional training

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Publications Sales: Sale of maritime best practice publications and guidelines including the Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals) Sixth Edition (£480), Seafarer Workforce Report 2026 (£195), and various operational guides. Revenue from Witherby Publishing Group partnership for publication distribution.
2. ICS Academy E-Learning: Sale of online training courses including Helicopter Operation Procedures (£95), Engine Room Inspections (£95), and various module-based courses ranging from £15-95 per course.
3. ICS Maritime Hub Venue Rental: Corporate meeting venue rental services at the London-based Maritime Hub with various room configurations accommodating 4-70 people, with high-spec AV and video conferencing included.
4. Membership Fees: Revenue from national shipowner association membership representing over 80% of world merchant fleet from approximately 40 countries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ICS is a global trade association for merchant shipowners and operators, providing advocacy at intergovernmental organisations (IMO, ILO, UNCTAD, WTO), industry-standard maritime publications, the ISF Watchkeeper seafarer work-and-rest-hours compliance software, the ISF Verify verification service, the ICS Academy e-learning platform, the ICS Maritime Hub corporate venue in London, and workforce research such as the Seafarer Workforce Report. Its members are national shipowner associations from about 40 countries representing over 80% of the world merchant fleet.

Product overview

The International Chamber of Shipping operates as a global trade association offering a platform-plus-publications model. The core offerings include ISF Watchkeeper (seafarer hours compliance software), ISF Verify (verification service), ICS Academy (e-learning platform), and ICS Publications (comprehensive suite of maritime best practice guides including Tanker Safety Guides, Procedures Guides for Bridge/Engine Room/Deck, Cyber Security Workbook, and Maritime Barometer/Seafarer Workforce analytical reports). The ICS Maritime Hub provides venue services. These publications and tools complement international maritime regulation and serve as recommended reading for companies and seafarers globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ICS Maritime Hub: Corporate meeting venue in the City of London offering professional environment for meetings and events up to 70 people with AV and video conferencing
• ICS Academy
• ISF Watchkeeper
• ISF Verify
• ICS Maritime Barometer

Products and services

• ICS Membership (National Shipowner Associations) Recurring membership programme for national shipowner associations, giving them representation at IMO, ILO and other intergovernmental bodies, access to ICS working groups, and engagement with the ICS Board. Members from approximately 40 countries collectively represent over 80% of the world merchant fleet.
• ICS Publications catalogue (maritime best-practice guides) Range of authoritative maritime best-practice publications sold to shipowners, ship managers, seafarers and flag administrations; titles cover safety, security, compliance, procedures and operational guidance for the global merchant fleet.
• ISF Watchkeeper Proprietary software tool that enables shipowners and operators to monitor seafarers' work and rest hours in compliance with the STCW and the International Labour Organization Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).
• ISF Verify Verification service offered by ICS to support industry compliance activities.
• ICS Academy e-learning platform On-the-go e-learning platform selling individual maritime training courses (pricing GBP 15-95 per course) covering helicopter operations, engine room inspections, emergency response and other operational procedures; training managers can purchase courses, allocate them to learners and monitor progress from a dashboard.
• ICS Maritime Hub (London meeting and event venue) Corporate meeting and event venue in the City of London (within walking distance of Tower Hill, Fenchurch Street and Liverpool Street stations) accommodating up to 70 people across multiple room configurations, with high-spec AV and video conferencing included.
• Seafarer Workforce Report (jointly with BIMCO) Industry-standard research report on global seafarer workforce supply and demand, used for developing crewing and training strategies; published jointly with BIMCO every five years.
• ICS Maritime Barometer Report Annual survey of risk, confidence and impacts among maritime leaders, providing insights into geopolitical, regulatory and economic sentiment in the shipping industry.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80% of world merchant fleet represented
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and moderate.

• BIMCOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Joint development of the Seafarer Workforce Report, the industry standard resource for workforce planning. BIMCO is the world's largest international shipping association with 2,100 members in 120 countries representing two-thirds of world fleet by DWT. The 2026 report forecasts officer shortages and workforce supply/demand dynamics.
• European Shipowners (ECSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Joint study on gaps between EU Ship Recycling Regulation and IMO Hong Kong Convention. The study identifies three key areas of divergence: authorization procedures for recycling facilities, downstream waste management standards, and Inventory of Hazardous Materials scope.
• INTERTANKOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Joint condemnation of attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz region. Represents tanker owners' interests in safety and regulatory matters.
• INTERCARGOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Joint condemnation of attacks on commercial shipping. Represents dry bulk carrier interests in safety and regulatory discussions.
• Asian Shipowners' Association (ASA)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Regional partner with overlapping membership. Relationship confirmed under memorandum of understanding for coordination on shipping industry matters.
• European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Regional partner with overlapping membership. MoU confirmed for coordination on shipping industry policy and regulatory matters.
• WISTA InternationalmoderateGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2026Cooperation at Shaping the Future of Shipping Summit 2026. WISTA president Elpi Petraki emphasized need for stronger cross-sector cooperation on industry challenges.
• Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Malta Maritime MinistersmoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Met at ICS summit sidelines to reinforce quadrilateral cooperation on Mediterranean shipping. Partnership described as established tradition producing results in sector critical to their economies.
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Joint revision of Rescue at Sea Guide providing guidance on legal provisions and practical procedures for disembarkation of rescued persons, particularly refugees and migrants. Guide prepared jointly with IMO and UNHCR.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Joint release of revised Rescue Guide with UNHCR and IMO to strengthen protection for refugees and migrants in distress at sea.
• OCIMFmoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Joint emphasis with Intertanko on workload, fatigue, and communication pressures as safety-critical factors for vessels in the Gulf region.
• World Maritime UniversitymoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021ICS supports the World Maritime University and provides ambassadorial function for the industry. Joint studies on seafarer digital skills training finding over 80% rarely receive such training.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1961ICS holds consultative status with the UN International Maritime Organization since 1961, the first shipping industry association granted this status. ICS represents shipping interests at IMO regulatory discussions including decarbonization, safety, and environmental protection.
• International Labour Organization (ILO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1961ICS holds consultative status with the International Labour Organization, engaging on Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) and seafarer employment standards.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai): One of the world's largest classification societies, providing ship classification, statutory certification, and maritime advisory services. Comparable as a maritime standards and certification body that interacts with ICS on regulatory matters and publishes its own guidance.

Direct peers

• INTERCARGO: International Association of Dry Bulk Shipowners, representing the dry bulk carrier sector. Comparable as a sector-specific trade association that co-issues joint statements with ICS on safety and security issues affecting bulk shipping.
• INTERTANKO: International Association of Independent Tanker Owners, representing the majority of the world's independent tanker fleet. Comparable as a sector-specific trade association that partners with ICS on tanker safety and has jointly condemned attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz region.
• Asian Shipowners' Association (ASA): Regional shipowner association representing Asian national shipowner associations. Comparable as a regional counterpart with MoU-based coordination with ICS, covering the world's largest shipbuilding and crewing region.
• BIMCO: World's largest international shipping association with 2,100 members in 120 countries representing roughly two-thirds of world fleet by DWT. Directly comparable as a global shipowner association that co-publishes the Seafarer Workforce Report with ICS and competes for the same regulatory advocacy mandate at IMO.
• European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA): Confederation of European national shipowner associations representing the European shipping industry at EU institutions. Comparable as a regional trade association with overlapping membership and an MoU with ICS for coordination on shipping policy.
• OCIMF (Oil Companies International Marine Forum): Voluntary association of oil companies with an interest in the shipment and terminal operations of crude oil and related products. Comparable as a maritime safety-focused association that partners with ICS and INTERTANKO on Gulf region safety issues and publishes tanker operational guidance.

Others

• International Maritime Organization (IMO): UN specialized agency responsible for regulating shipping, with which ICS holds consultative status since 1961. Comparable as the primary counterparty regulator and joint publication partner (Rescue at Sea Guide) rather than a direct peer, but defines the regulatory environment in which ICS operates.
• Witherby Publishing Group: Specialist maritime publisher that distributes ICS publications including the Seafarer Workforce Report through Witherby Connect. Comparable as a publishing and distribution partner with overlapping catalog of maritime regulatory and operational guidance titles.

Emerging players

• WISTA International: Women's International Shipping & Trading Association, a global networking and professional development organization for women in maritime. Comparable as an industry association that cooperates with ICS on the Shaping the Future of Shipping Summit and represents a growing segment of maritime leadership.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/shippingics
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@internationalchamberofship4146
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-chamber-of-shipping
• Facebookfacebook.com/shippingICS

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Chamber of Shipping