Maritime Directory

Montreal,, PQ,, Canada

The Shipping Federation of Canada is the pre-eminent voice of shipowners and agents involved in Canada's overseas trade. The Federation has a core membership of eighty-five Canadian companies that own, operate or act as agents for some 300 steamship lines throughout the world. The Federation also has a significant number of affiliated members who are either directly involved in the maritime industry or work in areas closely related thereto. The Federation's mandate is to promote and protect the interests of its members by forging consensus on emerging issues, and working with governments to develop policies, laws and regulations that enable the industry to flourish as a key contributor to the Canadian economy. The Federation's main activities include the dissemination of information to members on general and technical matters, representation of members' interests before government and other regulatory authorities, monitoring of relevant policy and legislative developments, communicating with media and other maritime organizations, development and delivery of training courses and educational programs, and provision of advice / support on technical and operational matters.

Williamsport, PA, United States

e-Maritime provides essential industry-specific federal regulatory information in a fully integrated and searchable reference database. It consists of the following CFR titles, in whole or in part; 19, 29, 30, 33, 35, 40, 46, 47, 49 and 50, and United States Code (USC) Titles, plus Coast Guard forms and guidance documents.

New London, Connecticut, United States

The Thames Maritime Coalition has wide membership, comprising of any member of the Thames River maritime community with an interest in the safety, security, environmental well being, recreational uses and commercial viability of the Thames River. This includes local pilots, harbormasters, state and federal regulatory agencies, vessel agents, pilots, facility operators, shipyards, fishermen, longshoremen, educational/research organizations, yacht/beach clubs, and ferry, tug and charter boat operators.

Solon, OH, United States

Swagelok provides fluid system components to the chemical, power, oil and gas, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical/bioprocessing (biopharm), chemical, oil and gas, and power industries worldwide.

New York, NY, United States

TRADEPAQ provides rules based documentation and settlement automation solutions that help companies get paid faster, increase capital efficiency, decrease fulfillment lead times, and reduce operating costs.

Fairfax, VA, United States

The Cornell Group is a management consulting firm providing Privatization assistance, Port Planning, Institutional and Regulatory Restructuring, Economic Restructuring, Investment Planning and Infrastructure Development advice to senior management in the Port, Waterways, Aviation, Rail and Intermodal Transportation Industries.

London, United Kingdom

Formation IFSMA was formed in 1974 by Eight European Shipmasters' Associations to unite the World's serving Shipmasters into a single professional co-ordinated body. It is not a trade union. It is a non-profit making, apolitical organisation dedicated solely to the interest of the serving shipmaster. Over 8000 Shipmasters from more than 40 Countries are affiliated to IFSMA either through their National Associations (36) or as Individual Members (55). Purpose IFSMA is a Federation established 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. IMO Status IFSMA was Granted Consultative Status at IMO in 1975. This Consultative Status enables the Federation to represent the views and protect the interests of the serving Shipmasters unfettered and unfiltered either by National Governments or by Labour Organizations. To enable IFSMA to function effectively at IMO, it is represented in the Four Main Committees (MSC-MEPC-LEG-FAL) by the General Secretary and a team of former Shipmasters who also attend the Nine Sub-Committees (BLG - COMSAR - DE - DSC - FP - FSI - NAV - SLF - STW). When needed serving Shipmasters provide additional expertise in the various Working and Drafting Groups. IMO Involvement Top of Page IFSMA provided a Consultant to assist in the Comprehensive Review and Revision of the 1978 STCW Convention, and actively participated in the Joint ICAO/IMO Group of Experts on the Harmonization of Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue. IFSMA also sat on the Steering Committee on Ro-Ro Ferry Safety which supervised the work of the Panel of Experts and made recommendations to MSC 65. This was without cost to IMO and was, for some two years an additional commitment to our normal work of representing Shipmasters' views on this International Platform. IMO Missions Top of Page IFSMA has now provided TWO MARITIME SPECIALISTS, each forming part of an IMO NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND PROGRAMMING TEAM within the framework of IMO's Integrated Technical Co-Operation Programme (ITCP). The first Mission was to Bulgaria (Black Sea) in December 1995 and the second Mission was to Ukraine and Georgia (CIS/Eastern Europe) in January/February 1996. IMO Studies Top of Page IFSMA prepared papers on the safety of double-hull tankers for both IMO and the USCG when discussions on this subject were at their peak in 1991. It submitted with IMPA a Joint Paper on Bridge Information Display to NAV38 and, with the Government of the Bahamas, it amended Towing Guidelines which had been proposed earlier in 1992 by Germany. In 1993 IFSMA devised a Bulk Carrier Ship-Shore Checklist for MSC62 and submitted a BESMA Paper on Quality Management in Seafarers' Training to STW25. IMO Papers Top of Page In 1994 IFSMA submitted 12 separate Papers on various aspects of Loading and Unloading Bulk Cargoes for the attention of BC33. These produced four MSC Circulars. At the end of 1995 IFSMA, Co-Sponsored by ICS and ICFTU, submitted a paper on Black Sea Search and Rescue to COMSAR 1 while a second paper on amendments to the IMOSAR and MERSAR Manuals was submitted jointly by ICS and IFSMA. A comprehensive ACOMM Technical Paper on Modifications to the Freeboard and Stability Rules of medium sized ships will be submitted to IMO in the Spring of 1996 for discussion at SLF 40 in September this year. IMO and IFSMA Objectives Top of Page IFSMA is a strong supporter of IMO in its quest for safer shipping and cleaner oceans. It is the desire of The Federation to assist IMO in achieving a truly global implementation and rigorous enforcement of its International Treaties so that there is no need for any Country to resort to Regulatory Measures on either a National or a Regional basis. IFSMA has much approved of the Secretary-General's initiative to speed up Entry into Force and Amendment procedures, and continues to fully support his initiatives for a thorough and comprehensive review of Bulk Carrier Safety and Ro-Ro Ferry Safety in all their aspects. Policy Top of Page IFSMA has long held the firm belief that Shipowners and Ship Management Companies should hold a Safety Management Document of Compliance issued by the Flag State Administration before being permitted to operate ships, that increased scrapping of antiquated and sub-standard ships should be speeded up, and that world wide regional Port State Control is now top priority. In particular there should be a total ban, effective world wide, on the re-registration of ships for commercial trading once they have been sold for scrap and demolition. Shipmasters Defined Top of Page IFSMA defines Shipmasters as those who are in possession of an Internationally recognised Certificate of Competency, issued by the Government of an established Maritime Nation who are serving or have previously served, in Command of Seagoing Ships whether or not engaged upon International or Domestic Trade. Shipmaster's Status in IFSMA Top of Page Once a man has risen to the rank of Shipmaster he is forever entitled to belong to IFSMA and there is no requirement in our Statutes for the periodic revalidation of his Certificate of Competency (as there is in the STCW Convention). But if he were to lose his licence due to negligence, incompetence, or misconduct then he would no longer qualify for membership of the Federation. Other Organisations Top of Page Trade Unions, National Associations, Professional Institutes and Learned Societies are all equally welcome as Shipmasters Organizations in affiliation with IFSMA and there is no distinction made between them. 21st March 1996

Arlington, VA, United States

The National Industrial Transportation League was formed in 1907 to represent the interests of shippers before government regulatory agencies. With the advent of deregulation and globalization, however, the League has evolved into a broad-based advocacy organization for freight transportation. Earlier this year, the membership adopted Vision 2020, a sweeping proposal to change the structure of the organization. Now all companies involved in freight transportation are eligible for full, voting membership in the League. The roles of carriers, shippers and intermediaries are increasingly blurred and intertwined, so the League membership has been expanded to allow for more cooperative efforts, because through the promotion of a safe, efficient freight transportation industry, the needs of shippers, and the entire economy, are best met. It is anticipated that the new organization will become the forum where issues of mutual interest will be discussed and new creative solutions will be formed to benefit the entire U.S. economy. The League also has added a membership category for Affiliates, which includes, individuals who are interested in matters connected with the shipment or receipt of commodities and/or the purchase of transportation services. To receive information on becoming a League member; getting a copy of the Annual Report; exhibiting at TransComp; advertising in League publications; ordering a list, labels, or diskette containing the names and addresses of League members and affiliates; or ordering the Rail Users' Manual, please contact the League at (703) 524-5011 or via e-mail at info@nitl.org.

Arlington,, VA, United States

The Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services (RTCM) is an international non-profit scientific, professional and educational organization. RTCM members are organizations (not individuals) that are both non-government and government. Although started in 1947 as a U.S. government advisory committee, RTCM is now an independent organization supported by its members from all over the world. We keep our members informed about regional and international maritime radionavigation and radiocommunication policy issues, regulatory changes, and technical standards development. Our Special Committees provide a forum in which government and non-government members work together to develop technical standards and consensus recommendations in regard to issues of particular concern.

Washington, D.C., United States

The multi-modal Transportation Practice Group at Troutman Sanders assists clients with legal issues that arise anywhere on the supply chain. The group’s core consists of 24 transportation law attorneys located in Washington, D.C., Richmond, Norfolk, and Atlanta. Their broad experience in all modes of transportation representation includes aviation, customs and international trade, maritime, motor, third party logistics, and rail. The depth of that experience encompasses regulatory advice and counsel, general commercial and financial advice, and state and federal lobbying. In addition, the group’s litigators have represented clients successfully in administrative litigation and in civil litigation of all kinds in all levels of federal court.

North Kingstown,, Rhode Island, United States

Vibtech Inc. specializes in design of vessels and ship's systems to military and commercial specifications.

Washington, DC, United States

The World Shipping Council is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing more than forty liner shipping companies serving America's international trade. Council members include the largest container lines in the world as well as smaller niche carriers, and carriers providing roll-on/roll-off and heavy-lift services. In addition to ocean transportation, they provide a wide range of intermodal and logistics services to American importers and exporters. The Council's goal is to provide a coordinated voice for the liner shipping industry in its work with policymakers and other industry groups interested in international transportation issues, including: maritime security, regulatory policy, tax issues, safety, the environment, harbor dredging and upgrading the infrastructure needed to handle America's booming trade. Partners in America's Trade The liner shipping industry is a vital, contributing partner in America's foreign trade and economic growth. Over the past ten years, U.S. international trade in goods has doubled and rapid growth is expected in the next decade as well. Last year, U.S. oceanborne trade amounted to more than $700 billion. Liner shipping, with its network of vessels, containers, port terminals and information systems, handled two-thirds of that trade and did so smoothly, efficiently and at rates lower than those fifteen years ago. These low rates enhance the competitiveness of U.S. products in world markets and bring a variety of quality goods to our homes at low cost. Your VCR was carried from Hong Kong for about one dollar; ocean shipping services from Asia added about 40 cents to the price of the sneakers you're wearing; and it cost three cents to put that bottle of German beer in your refrigerator. The liner shipping industry is a constant innovator- linking American businesses directly and efficiently with their customers around the world on a door-to-door basis. The industry is also an essential investor in the transportation system that carries the United States' international commerce. Liner carriers have invested over $150 billion in transportation assets currently in service worldwide and, if trade projections are accurate, they will need to invest billions of dollars more in ships and equipment to service trade growth over the next ten years. With confidence in how public policy will affect our industry, members of the World Shipping Council can build on this partnership in serving America's trade and keeping the country's economy strong and growing.