ICHCA International
ICHCA International is a UK-based not-for-profit NGO, founded in 1952, that convenes global cargo handling stakeholders through tiered memberships, a 90+ document publications library, technical advisory services, and privileged observer access to IMO, ILO, and UNECE regulatory bodies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1952
- HeadquartersTunbridge Wells, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ICHCA International does
ICHCA International (International Cargo Handling Coordination Association) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization founded in 1952 and headquartered in Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom. It operates as a membership-based industry association dedicated to improving the safety, security, sustainability, productivity, and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. Its core activities center on three pillars: (1) a publications library of more than 90 specialist documents across eight series covering health and safety, technical and operational guidance, regulatory requirements, and environmental issues; (2) a Technical Advisory Service and Technical Panel of practitioners, legislators, and consultants who provide confidential expert advice and develop best practice through working groups (Dangerous Goods, Digital & Innovation, Straddle Carrier Safety, Dry Bulk Cargoes); and (3) privileged NGO observer access to IMO, ILO, and UNECE regulatory meetings, which ICHCA extends to its members.
The organization generates revenue primarily through tiered annual membership subscriptions (Premium at £11,658, Corporate at £1,684, Licensed at £1,684 plus per-seat fees, Library at £872, Individual/Student at £161), supplemented by publications sales, discounted training courses (IMDG Code compliance, CTUpack e-learning on CTU Code and VGM), event fees, and a 10% IMO publications discount arranged through a partnership with Exis Technologies. Its GTM motion is community-led, relying on industry networking, events, working group participation, and direct enterprise sales via the secretariat. Customers include global port and terminal operators (APM Terminals, DP World, PSA International, Hutchison Ports ECT, Associated British Ports, SSA Marine), shipping lines (MSC, CMA CGM), insurers (TT Club), and government regulators (Transport Canada), with regional chapters in Australia and Japan extending its reach across key Asia-Pacific cargo handling markets.
ICHCA International firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ICHCA International
- Legal name
- ICHCA International Limited
- Website
- https://ichca.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1952
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- ICHCA International is a UK-based not-for-profit NGO, founded in 1952, that convenes global cargo handling stakeholders through tiered memberships, a 90+ document publications library, technical advisory services, and privileged observer access to IMO, ILO, and UNECE regulatory bodies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ICHCA International industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maritime Cargo Handling Industry Association Services
- NAICS
- National Security and International Affairs (928), International Affairs (92812)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hazardous Materials (IMDG) & Dangerous Goods Compliance Services (TLAHANAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Regulatory & Sanctions Compliance Screening for Maritime Operations (Trade Controls, AML) (TLAHANAL), Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB), Labor, Social Protection & Occupational Safety Standards Cooperation (BPADANAM)
Keywords
Where ICHCA International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tunbridge Wells
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
ICHCA International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees at multiple tiers: Corporate (£1,684/year), Premium (£11,658/year), Individual/Student (£161/year), Licensed (£1,684 + £168.40/additional license), Library (£872/year). Revenue supports NGO operations, publications development, and industry advocacy.
- Publications Sales: Sales of specialist publications including briefing pamphlets, research papers, technical series, and safety guides. Members receive free access; non-members can purchase individually.
- IMO Publications Discounts: 10% discount on IMO publications offered to members through partnership with Exis Technologies
- Event Fees: Discounted rates at ICHCA seminars, conferences, roadshows and networking events for members; premium members receive free places as standard benefit
- Training Courses: Discounted training courses including IMDG Code compliance and CTU packing training
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Corporate Membership - £1,684 per year |
| Subscription | Annual | Premium Membership - £11,658 per year |
| Subscription | Annual | Individual/Student - £161 per year |
| Subscription | Annual | Licensed - £1,684 + £168.40 per additional license (max 50) |
| Subscription | Annual | Library - £872 per year |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
ICHCA International product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ICHCA International is a non-governmental industry association that delivers cargo handling safety, productivity, and efficiency services through a 90+ publication library, a confidential Technical Advisory Service, expert Technical Panel working groups, IMO/ILO/UN meeting observer access, and e-learning courses on IMDG Code and CTU Code compliance. It supplements these core offerings with tiered membership packages, industry events, and advocacy representation before international regulatory bodies.
Product overview
ICHCA International operates as a membership-based non-governmental organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of cargo handling industry services. The core offerings include an extensive publications library with over 90 documents across eight series covering safety, technical, operational, regulatory, and environmental topics; a Technical Advisory Service providing confidential expert guidance; and access to IMO/ILO/UN regulatory meetings. The organization supplements these with e-learning products (CTUpack courses on CTU Code and container VGM) and IMDG Code compliance training. ICHCA serves members through tiered membership packages (Premium, Corporate, Individual/Student, Licensed, Library) that provide varying levels of access to publications, events, technical advice, and working group participation. The Technical Panel coordinates expert working groups focused on dangerous goods, digital innovation, straddle carrier safety, and dry bulk cargoes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ICHCA Publications Library An extensive library of 90+ specialist publications covering health and safety guidance, technical and operational practicalities, regulatory requirements, security, and environmental issues for cargo handling operations. Publications are organized into eight series and are available free to members or for purchase by non-members.
- Technical Advisory Service Confidential expert advice service providing responses to member queries on any aspect of cargo handling practice, policy, and regulations, drawing on an extensive library of past queries and the Technical Panel's first-hand industry knowledge. Available to members via online enquiry form.
- IMO/ILO/UN Meeting Observer Access Privileged observer access to IMO, ILO, UNECE, and other UN agency meetings for ICHCA members, enabled by the organization's NGO Consultative Status and providing direct engagement with international regulatory developments in cargo handling.
- Technical Panel Working Groups Expert working groups including the Dangerous Goods Working Group, Digital & Innovation Working Group, Straddle Carrier Safety Working Group, and Dry Bulk Cargoes Working Group, bringing together experienced practitioners, legislators, and consultants to develop good practice guidelines and publications on cargo handling worldwide.
- CTUpack E-Learning Courses Online e-learning courses covering CTU Code compliance and proper CTU packing, including Introduction to the CTU Code and Introduction to freight container VGM courses, offered to members at discounted rates for online self-paced learning.
- IMDG Code E-Learning Course Online training course on the IMDG Code covering requirements for documentation and markings for dangerous goods transport by sea, offered at discounted rates to ICHCA members.
- IMO/ILO/UN Publications Resale Resale of IMO, ILO, and UN publications to ICHCA members at a 10% discount via the Exis Technologies partnership, covering the IMDG Code and related international regulatory materials.
Companies that use ICHCA International
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
ICHCA International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
ICHCA International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- FEPORTcoreFEPORT represents stevedoring companies and terminal operators at European level. Members employ 220,000 port workers and include top 15 global terminal operators representing 50% of world throughput. Federation addresses port policy, transport, maritime, security, safety, environment, logistics, customs, social policy and R&D.
- TT ClubcoreLeading provider of insurance and related risk management services to international transport and logistics industry. Established 1968, mutual insurer managed by Thomas Miller. Works with largest operators to smaller companies facing similar risks. One-third of membership has insured with Club for over 20 years.
- International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH)coreOnly international organization representing voice of world port industry with Consultative Status as NGO from five UN specialized agencies. Vision: Global Ports' Forum for Industry Collaboration and Excellence. Mission: Promoting port interests worldwide through collaboration and information-sharing.
- World Ports Sustainability Program (WPSP)coreMulti-stakeholder coalition of associations with interests in waterborne transport infrastructure. Guided by 17 UN SDGs, enhances and coordinates sustainability efforts of ports worldwide. Strategic partners include AAPA, ESPO, AIVP, and PIANC.
- Exis TechnologiesminorIMO reseller and ICHCA member providing IMDG Code publications. ICHCA members receive 10% discount on IMDG Code publications through this partnership.
- NavClimateminorLed by PIANC on behalf of Think Climate coalition - multi-stakeholder group of ten associations supporting waterborne transport infrastructure response to climate change. Committed to reducing GHG emissions and strengthening resilience.
- Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN)minorGlobal business network working towards vision of maritime industry free of corruption. Established 2011, grown to over 100 members globally. Works to eliminate maritime corruption through awareness, best practices, and government collaboration.
- Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC)minorVoluntary partnership of companies, industry associations and green freight programs developing GLEC Framework for logistics emissions accounting and reporting.
- Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA)minorLeading representative body for lifting industry worldwide. Joint publication partner on GS4: Organisation of Gear Stores and BP42: Container Lifting Lugs guidance documents.
- Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA)minorIndustry association for port equipment manufacturers. Joint publication partner on GS7: Quay Container Crane Safety Specifications and GS9: Container Yard Equipment Safety.
- Japan Association of Cargo-handling Machinery Systems (JACMS)coreManages ICHCA Japan under its auspices. Supports best practice, knowledge sharing and relationship building for cargo handling community in Japan. Tel: +81 3 5472 4791
- Portcare InternationalminorMedia contact for ICHCA. Contact: Peter Owen, Portcare International. Email: [email protected]
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ICHCA International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- INTERCARGO: International association representing the dry bulk shipping sector at IMO. Comparable NGO advocacy and technical committee structure, but focused on dry bulk carriers rather than container/cargo handling operations more broadly.
- TT Club: Leading mutual insurer and risk management provider for international transport and logistics; an existing ICHCA partner. Comparable in member base and loss-prevention publications, but operates as an insurer rather than a pure industry association.
Direct peers
- Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA): Industry association for port equipment manufacturers, joint publication partner with ICHCA on quay crane and container yard equipment safety. Directly comparable in terms of standards-setting mission within the cargo handling equipment niche.
- World Shipping Council (WSC): Trade association representing the global liner shipping industry on regulatory, safety, and environmental issues. Directly comparable industry-association model serving major container carriers like MSC, CMA CGM, and Hapag-Lloyd — overlapping with several ICHCA premium members.
- Bureau International des Containers (BIC): Neutral non-profit promoting safe, secure and sustainable containerization since 1933; ISO-appointed global container prefix registry with IMO/WCO observer status. Closely comparable standards-setting NGO with similar regulatory access and container-focused mandate.
- BIMCO: The world's largest international shipping association, providing standards, contracts, and regulatory representation to shipowners and operators. Closely comparable to ICHCA's NGO advocacy and standards-development role, though more focused on commercial shipping contracts.
- Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA): Global representative body for the lifting industry and ICHCA's joint publication partner on gear stores and container lifting lugs. Directly comparable in standards-development focus and in adjacent cargo-handling equipment safety.
- International Chamber of Shipping (ICS): Principal international trade association for the merchant shipping industry, representing shipowners and operators at IMO. Comparable NGO advocacy model with similar regulatory access and shipping-line member base.
- International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH): Global NGO representing the world port industry with consultative status at UN agencies. Most directly comparable to ICHCA in mission, member base, and IMO/ILO engagement; ICHCA already partners with IAPH.
- FEPORT: European federation representing stevedoring companies and terminal operators, including the top 15 global terminal operators. Directly comparable membership-driven NGO model serving the same cargo handling community as ICHCA and an existing ICHCA partner.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
ICHCA International social profiles
Digital presenceICHCA International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ICHCA International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
ICHCA International subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
ICHCA International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ICHCA International M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ICHCA International
What does ICHCA International do?
ICHCA International is a non-governmental industry association that delivers cargo handling safety, productivity, and efficiency services through a 90+ publication library, a confidential Technical Advisory Service, expert Technical Panel working groups, IMO/ILO/UN meeting observer access, and e-learning courses on IMDG Code and CTU Code compliance. It supplements these core offerings with tiered membership packages, industry events, and advocacy representation before international regulatory bodies.
Is ICHCA International a public or private company?
ICHCA International is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ICHCA International founded?
ICHCA International was founded in 1952. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is ICHCA International based?
ICHCA International is headquartered in Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does ICHCA International make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Membership Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are publications Sales, IMO Publications Discounts, event Fees and training Courses.
Who are ICHCA International's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are INTERCARGO and TT Club. Direct peers are Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA), World Shipping Council (WSC), Bureau International des Containers (BIC), BIMCO, Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) and FEPORT.
Does ICHCA International have an API?
No public API is recorded for ICHCA International.
What industry is ICHCA International in?
ICHCA International's product category is Maritime Cargo Handling Industry Association Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAHANAH, Hazardous Materials (IMDG) & Dangerous Goods Compliance Services, with a secondary code of TLAHANAL, Regulatory & Sanctions Compliance Screening for Maritime Operations (Trade Controls, AML). Its NAICS code is 928 and its SIC code is 8600.