The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal international trade association for shipowners and operators, representing more than 80% of the world’s merchant fleet across all sectors – tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, and more.
Founded in 1921, ICS speaks with a unified industry voice to governments, international regulators, and the wider public. Its mission is to advocate for high operational standards, fair global regulation, and sustainable maritime trade.
With its headquarters in London and member associations in over 40 countries, ICS is a vital bridge between the commercial practice of shipping and the regulatory world of institutions like the IMO and UN.
ICS focuses on three main areas:
1. Policy and Representation:
2. Sustainability and Innovation:
3. Knowledge and Capacity Building:
Over the years, ICS has produced a wealth of reference material widely used by maritime professionals, including:
• Guidelines on Maritime Security, Ballast Water, and Cyber Risk
• Flag State Performance Table – A widely trusted comparative tool
• The ICS Shipping Policy Principles
• Publications on maritime labour law, decarbonisation strategy, and crew health
It also coordinates the global Day of the Seafarer campaigns and actively supports maritime education and cadetship programmes worldwide.
ICS represents the shipping industry at intergovernmental negotiations, including:
• IMO (maritime safety, pollution, and GHG reduction)
• ILO (maritime labour and seafarers’ rights)
• WTO and UNCTAD (trade facilitation, fair competition)
Its strength lies in its coalition of national shipowners’ associations, who elect a board and committees that steer ICS priorities. This model ensures a bottom-up representation of the industry's operational realities.
ICS also works with regional bodies, such as the European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA), and with private maritime clusters to align strategies across continents.
ICS is at the forefront of shaping the future of shipping, with key priorities including:
• Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, aligned with IMO strategies
• Managing the energy transition: fuels, finance, and fleet renewal
• Ensuring seafarer welfare, mental health support, and fair recruitment
• Supporting autonomous ship frameworks and emerging tech regulation
It also engages with climate finance institutions to support the shift toward greener fleets, especially for developing country operators.
In a sector where regulation is increasingly complex and global stakes are high, the ICS ensures that the commercial voice is not only heard – but trusted.
It helps regulators understand the real-world impact of policy decisions, while empowering shipowners to navigate legal, environmental, and labour expectations with clarity.
In essence, ICS makes sure shipping remains not just a business – but a respected, responsible global actor.
How can the ICS help ensure that the green transition in shipping is both economically viable and globally inclusive – especially for operators in developing regions?
