Institute Profile    

What is the IMarEST?

The international membership body and learned society for all marine professionals. The IMarEST is a registered charity and is the first Institute to bring together marine engineers, scientists and technologists into one international multi-disciplinary professional body. It is the largest marine organisation of its kind with a worldwide membership based in over 100 countries.

What is the purpose of the IMarEST?

To work with the global marine community to promote the scientific development of marine engineering, science and technology, providing opportunities for the exchange of ideas and practices and upholding the status, standards and expertise of marine professionals worldwide.

Who are the IMarEST's members?

The IMarEST has categories of membership for everyone with an interest in the marine world: for those who are seeking professional recognition (Corporate Membership), for those who are currently studying or just starting out in their careers or those who simply have a general interest in the IMarEST, its work, membership, events, publications or facilities (non-Corporate Membership).

IMarEST members include those working in:

    Commercial Shipping
    Fishing, Aquaculture & Biotechnology
    Ship Design, Construction, Maintenance & Decommission
    Marine Finance, Insurance & Risk
    Ports & Harbours
    Marine Law, Governance & Regulation
    Defence and Naval Engineering
    Marine Renewable Energy
    Marine Engineering Systems & Equipment
    Marine Safety & Security
    Power & Propulsion
    Oceanography, Climatology & Marine Meteorology
    Coast & Ocean Mapping & Hydrography
    Natural Hazards Assessment
    Navigation & Communication
    Offshore Oil & Gas
    Marine Environmental Protection & Pollution Prevention
    Underwater Technology & Operations
    Coastal & Shelf Seas
    Marine Leisure

...plus additional marine science, engineering and technology disciplines and applications.


What is the IMarEST's international standing?


The IMarEST is a respected authority in every maritime country. It is a Non-Governmental Organisation at the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO), has special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) and is a nominated and licensed body of the Engineering Council (UK), a member of the Science Council and has significant links with many other maritime organisations worldwide.

The IMarEST's international dimension is reinforced by the activities of its divisions and branches located across the globe:

    European Division - 24 branches
    ANZSPAC (Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific) Division - 12 branches
    Middle East Division - 6 branches
    South East Asia Division - 3 branches
    Americas Division - 3 branches
    North East Asia Division - 2 branches

These branches play a vital role in providing a local focus for activities, networks, conferences, meetings and events, and for developing and maintaining links and partnerships with people and organisations in key regions in the maritime world.



institute History       


The atmosphere of the 1880s was one of major developments in engineering science as steam ships rapidly displaced sailing ships and steel overtook iron as shipbuilding's raw material. For young marine engineers there was little in the way of literature to learn about the innovations, and marine engineers recognised the need to present and discuss practical papers written for and by them. The lack of corporate professional status was another key issue of the time. These developments led to the formation of a Marine Engineers Union in 1887.

In 1888 ten members of the Poplar Branch of the Union were expelled for issuing a circular announcing a meeting to discuss the administration of Union funds and three of those expelled then proposed that an association should be set up which would be completely separate from trade unionism. A circular was sent to the Chief Engineers of every steamer in the Port of London in which they were invited to join what was to be called the Institute of Marine Engineers.
The inaugural meeting of the new Institute was held on 12 February 1889 at the Workmen's Hall in Stratford East London, and the first Council meeting was held four days later at which point the membership numbered just 284.

At that time, the first President was elected - Asplan Beldam, and the first Honorary Secretary - James Adamson, the President expressed the hope that the Institute would become a power, not only in London but throughout the world. Had he been alive today he would not only have great pride in the fact that his confidence was justified, but would have been astonished that the Institute's growth had probably vastly exceeded all his expectations. From the meetings in the Langthorne Rooms, the Institute moved in 1891 into premises at 58 Romford Road, Stratford which it occupied until the outbreak of the First World War, and thereafter to 85-88 Minories at Tower Hill. By then the second Secretary had taken office, Mr B C Curling.

James Adamson
1st Honorary Secretary


During World War Two the Institute re-housed temporarily in High Wycombe, and returned to the Minories in 1945 to find the building had suffered little structural damage apart from blown out windows; membership at the time numbered some 5,500. The building was renovated and it remained the HQ until the late 1950s; by this time Mr Curling had retired and Mr J Stuart Robinson had become Secretary. He oversaw the move to the ultra-modern building in Mark Lane; over 700 people attended the opening of The Memorial Building in 1957.

During the 1950s and 1960s many overseas branches were formed and membership rose to 22,000 but this was long before the international marine industry suffered the massive effects of the oil price hikes and restrained world economies. It was Jolyon Sloggett, only the fourth holder of the position of Secretary, who had to face the challenges of maintaining membership and services in an era of financial austerity, minimum manning, and massive changes in ship operation.

The Institute then moved to 80 Coleman Street in 1999, overseen by the then newly appointed fifth Secretary of the Institute, Keith Read CBE. He was the prime mover in broadening the Institute as an international organisation, embracing science and technology alongside marine engineering, and promoting the close interactions of marine engineers, scientists and technologists.

In May 2009 Marcus Jones, previously the Chief Operating Office, took over as Chief Executive and continued to strengthen the Institute as an internationally renowned learned and professional body, developing the Institute's vision statement of 'A world where marine resources and activities are sustained, managed and developed for the benefit of humanity.'

In August 2011, the Institute re-located to Aldgate House in Aldgate High Street, allowing for a more flexible and useable working environment and placing the IT infrastructure at the visible forefront of development plans with the server room designed as a key feature in the new office layout.

David Loosley was appointed Chief Executive of the IMarEST in November 2011, joining the Institute from the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) where, as Head of Operations, he has been responsible for the operational delivery of maritime safety information to the British Government and the world-wide maritime community since his appointment in April 2007.

The Institute's first
purpose built premises
in the Minories


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