IMCA passes 500 members worldwide
A major milestone has been reached by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), the global trade association that represents offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies, with the announcement that the association now has over 500 member companies based in over 50 countries.
"It seems like only yesterday that we reached the 400-mark. Indeed it almost is, as that was only ten months ago!" says Hugh Williams, IMCA's chief executive. "The past year has seen faster growth in terms of number of member companies (25% in less than a year) and geographical reach than ever before. We reached 200 member companies in 2002; we passed the 300 mark in April 2006; and then last September celebrated the fact that we had 400 members; and now we have hit and are rapidly moving beyond the 'half century'. We are delighted to be able to serve the interests of so many companies responsible for playing a key role in the ever-developing and expanding $20bn pa industry.
"It is very much the international aspects of IMCA that have helped the membership numbers increase so rapidly; the global spread of our message has generated growth across all membership categories from International Contractors, through Contractors, Suppliers, to Corresponding Members. The current and planned growth in terms of numbers and size of the supply vessel fleet has, in particular, been responsible for a marked increase in the number of owners and operators who have now become members. We are delighted that this is the case, for we have a very definite role to play helping to ensure safe operations within the expanding fleet."
