About us

About IMSF

The International Maritime Statistics Forum (IMSF) has been in existence since the early 1970s' and was started by an informal coalition of statisticians in international maritime-related institutions. Its objective is "to promote harmonisation and improvement in quality and scope of statistics within the international maritime industries, by means of ongoing work programmes and by affiliation with prominent national and international maritime institutions".

IMSF members have organisational ties to government, trade associations, port authorities, shipbrokers, carriers, data providers, universities, research and other international organisations generally interested in the subject of maritime statistics.

The full membership is invited to meet annually to exchange ideas and share the results of their work in relevant areas; smaller groups liaise as required, often on a regional basis, to work on special projects of mutual interest. Recent annual meetings have been held in Naples, Washington, London, Gothenburg Singapore and Gdansk.

The IMSF is responsible for developing a number of recognized standards which have been, or are in the process of being, adopted by governments and international bodies including the European Commission and United Nations. Current projects include the development of a variable, to be incorporated into leading vessel databases, indicating the country obtaining primary economic benefit from the operation of individual ships.

No membership fees are levied on members, the only costs being travel and subsistence for the annual or regional meetings. However, we do ask members to actively participate in the Forum's activities

IMSF CONSTITUTION (ratified at IMSF Conference in April 2007)

• The name of the organisation is the International Maritime Statistics Forum (IMSF).
• Objectives are to promote harmonisation and improvement in quality and scope of information and statistics within the international maritime industry.
• One full meeting of the IMSF takes place each year and is referred to herein as the Annual Meeting
• The Forum is managed by a steering group which comprises the IMSF Chairman and Secretary and at least two other members appointed by the Chairman, Secretary and endorsed by members at the Annual Meeting.
• The Chairman and Secretary are elected at the Annual Meeting by members present at such meeting by a simple majority vote system. The Chairman and Secretary shall each be elected for a three year term after which they may be considered for re-election or alternative candidates elected in their place.
• The steering group will co-ordinate the election of a Chairman and Secretary.
• IMSF Membership is open to organisations actively involved in a maritime industry. Nominations are approved by the steering group.
• An organizational membership list is available on the website, www.imsf.info
• No membership fees are levied with members expected to bear their own travel and subsistence costs and encouraged to participate in the Forum�s activities.
• No changes shall be made to this Constitution without prior written notice being given to members and subject to a majority vote of those present at an annual meeting.