IFSMA

IFSMA The Serving Shipmasters' International Voice. They come from about 65 different countries either through their National Associations or as individual members.

IFSMA, the International Federation of Shipmasters' Associations, was formed in 1974 when eight national Associations of Shipmasters decided to unite the world's serving Shipmasters in a single professional co-ordinated body. This non-profit apolitical organisation dedicates itself solely to the interests of the serving Shipmaster, more than 16,000 of whom make up this federation. IFSMA exists to

uphold international standards of professional competence for seafarers commensurate with the need to ensure safe operational practices, preservation from human injury, protection of the marine environment and safety of life and property at sea. IFSMA maintains its headquarters in London, close to the IMO, the International Maritime Organisation. IFSMA gained Consultative Status as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) at IMO in 1975, which enables it to represent the unfiltered views of its members and protect their interests in an unfettered way. A Secretary General and a team of active or former shipmasters represent IFSMA at IMO and help the federation to function effectively there. These agents of IFSMA attend the five main IMO committees, namely the Maritime Safety Committee, Marine Environmental Protection Committee, the Legal Committee, the Technical Cooperation Committee and the Facilitation Committee. This team is also active in the nine Sub-Committees of IMO, the organisation’s working and drafting groups, Council Meetings and Assemblies. IFSMA was placed on the International Labour Organization's (ILO) Special List of Non-Governmental International Organisations in 1993.

New International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships
04/06/2026

New International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships

02/06/2026

IMO has adopted a new International Code of Safety for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships to support the safe integration of AI-enabled and remotely operated commercial ships into global shipping.

New International Framework to Regulate MASS
02/06/2026

New International Framework to Regulate MASS

New industry guidance highlights operational and navigational risks for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz during h...
29/05/2026

New industry guidance highlights operational and navigational risks for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz during heightened regional security conditions. The document outlines risks related to congestion, electronic interference, mines, drones, and vessel readiness, while emphasising that safety of life at sea remains the overriding priority.

26/05/2026

Strait of Hormuz Transit Guidance. Download Guidance document from News in ifsma.org

Strait of Hormuz Transit Guide
26/05/2026

Strait of Hormuz Transit Guide

The State of Maryland has finalized a $2.25 billion settlement following the M/V Dali bridge collapse.This case highligh...
22/05/2026

The State of Maryland has finalized a $2.25 billion settlement following the M/V Dali bridge collapse.
This case highlights the scale of impact and ongoing legal actions.

20/05/2026

A major legal settlement has been reached following the M/V Dali bridge collapse.
The case highlights the scale of impact and ongoing claims.
The full article is available on the IFSMA website.

MV Dali final settlement
19/05/2026

MV Dali final settlement

Session 111 of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 111) has started at IMO. IFSMA is represented by the following team (...
15/05/2026

Session 111 of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 111) has started at IMO. IFSMA is represented by the following team (L to R):

Captain Andy Cook - IFSMA Secretary General
Captain Stanislav Nezavitin from Odessa Ship Masters’ Association
Captain David Appleton from Nautilus International
Captain Morten Kveim from Norwegian Maritime Officers’ Association

The IFSMA team will represent our broader membership at the main MSC Committee and two Working Groups looking at MASS (Marine Autonomous Surface Ships) and GHG Safety.

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