Ifsma

The Serving Shipmasters' International Voice.

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. They come from about 65 different countries either through their National Associations or as individual members.

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 four main IMO committees, namely the Maritime Safety Committee, Maritime Environmental Protection Commit-tee, the Legal 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.