Chris Charman
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has launched its ‘new-look’ website at www.imca-int.com, and is taking a more proactive role in promoting the work of its 900+ members in over 60 countries, highlighting the importance of marine contracting to the industries it serves, and to the global economy.
“A new-look website is hardly news, but this launch is part of a plan to alter perspectives of IMCA, its aims, objectives, and services on behalf of the global membership, ” says IMCA Chief Executive, Chris Charman. “Our members are a vital component of the offshore oil and gas, marine renewable and telecoms industries, with initial indications showing an aggregated global worth in excess of USD$150bn.
“We recognise the need to raise our profile, as we should be known as the global force of one of the most powerful and important industries in the world. Oil, gas, electricity all flow from offshore because of the work of our members. As memberships are initiated or reviewed, we are asking for confirmation of turnover, employee numbers and fleet sizes so we can home in on hard facts to emphasis just what a key role they play.’
At the moment the website highlights four of IMCA’s key roles:
• Promoting safety as good business – We provide a structured approach to managing safety – through risk assessment, toolbox talks, supervision, competent personnel, management of change and feedback. • IMCA guidelines available for free download or purchase. We have over 200 guidance documents in our online library, which also contains safety flashes, factsheets and key third-party documents. • Contracting guidance and contract templates – Our contracting principles and standard contracts benefit all industry parties, from operating companies to contractors and suppliers.
• IMCA membership supports the bidding process – IMCA membership is increasingly required by client organisations as part of the bidding process.
“In addition to a much more proactive use of the website as a means of ‘spreading the word’, we are instigating discussions and feedback through use of social media via our LinkedIn group http://www.linkedin.com/company/imca-international-marine-contractors-association-; our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/pages/IMCA-International-Marine-Contractors-Association/155555511263740;and by use of Twitter https://twitter.com/IMCAint with our Twitter ‘handle’ @IMCAint. . “We know that users of our website will appreciate the cleaner and less cluttered look, and improved ease of navigation. All the old features and facts are still there, but far easier to locate, while a new and more powerful search facility will help users find just what they are looking for in seconds. We look forward to feedback and will continually add to, and improve this vital means of communication, ” adds Chris Charman.
About IMCA
• IMCA is an international association with more than 915 members over 60 countries representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies. IMCA has four technical divisions, covering marine/specialist vessel operations, offshore diving, hydrographic survey and remote systems and ROVs, plus geographic sections for the Asia-Pacific, Central & North America, Europe & Africa, Middle East & India and South America regions. As well as a core focus on safety, the environment, competence and training, IMCA seeks to promote its members’ common interests, to resolve industry-wide issues and to provide an authoritative voice for its members.
• IMCA publishes some 200 guidance notes and technical reports – many are available for free downloading by members and non-members alike. These have been developed over the years and are extensively distributed. They are a definition of what IMCA stands for, including widely recognised diving and ROV codes of practice, DP documentation, marine good practice guidance, the Common Marine Inspection Document (CMID) – now available electronically as eCMID, safety recommendations, outline training syllabi and the IMCA competence scheme guidance. In addition to the range of printed guidance documents, IMCA also produces safety promotional materials, circulates information notes and distributes safety flashes
