There are a large number of international organisations directly or indirectly connected with the business of shipping. Some of them are intergovernmental but by far the majority are in the private sector, many of these depending upon elected honorary officers. Some of the more important and influential are included below. Probably the simplest to consider them in the following categories:
Shipowners’ Organisations:
- International Chamber of Shipping
- INTERCARGO
- INTERTANKO
- Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO)
Brokers’ and Agents’ Organisations:
- The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
- The Baltic Exchange
- The Federation of National Associations of Shipbrokers and Agents (FONASBA)
- The International Federation of Forwarding Agents’ Associations (FIATA)
United Nations Organisations:
- The International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
- UNITED NATIONS COUNCIL FOR TRADE & DEVELOPMENT (UNCTAD)
Other Shipping-related Bodies
- Chambers of Commerce
- The International Chamber of Commerce
- The International Maritime Bureau (IMB)
- The Corporation of Lloyds (“Lloyds of London”)
- Lloyd’s Agents
- International Association of Classification Societies (IACS)
- The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)
It must be borne in mind that these are dynamic organisations, working in a fast-moving business and an ever-changing world.