ICMA mailing address: [new address as of 6 Sept 2022]: ICMA c/o The Mission to Seafarers, First Floor, 6 Bath Place, Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3JE, UNITED KINGDOM
The International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA) is a free association of Christian not-for-profit organisations working for the welfare of seafarers around the world.
Member organisations represent various Christian churches and communities. Each member organisation retains its independence and autonomy. ICMA defines seafarers as people who work in merchant shipping, fishing and on passenger ships. Through its members, ICMA currently represents more than 400 seafarers’ ministries and 750 chaplains and ship visitors in approximately 90 countries.
Origins of ICMA
ICMA was founded in 1969 to encourage ecumenical collaboration and mutual assistance among organisations. Such collaboration works at local level, in port, and at national and international level. In a fragmented and divided society, it is the mission of ICMA to promote unity, peace and tolerance. It is the duty of every ICMA chaplain and welfare worker to serve seafarers, fishers and their dependants regardless of nationality, religion, culture, gender or ethnic origin.
Objectives of ICMA
The objectives of ICMA are the promotion of the spiritual, social and material welfare of all seafarers and the relief of need, hardship and distress among them. This practice is reflected in a variety of different ministries. Some work from seafarers’ centres, while others sail with seafarers on ships. ICMA members may work from international seafarers’ centres at which all seafarers are welcome. In addition, some ICMA members provide national centres which serve as the Church abroad for nationals of different professions. Meeting seafarers where they are, is important to ICMA. Therefore, ship visiting is almost always done, in every port where ICMA-members operate.
Legal status of ICMA
ICMA is registered as a Charity in England and Wales. ICMA’s charity number is 1176633. ICMA complies to the laws governing Charitable Incorporated Organisations. The ICMA Constitution is its governing document. Other basic documents provide guidance for good governance and procedures. These documents are available from the ICMA Secretariat upon request. For more information on the governance of Charitable Incorporated Associations, please see the website of the Charity Commission of England and Wales.
ICMA Strategic Plan 2022-2025
ICMA approved a Strategic Plan for the future at the October 2022 meetings. The Executive Committee is currently working to implement the plan. A copy of the Strategic Plan is available by clicking here: ICMA Strategic Plan 2022-2025
ICMA Code of Conduct
The ICMA Code of Conduct states that chaplains and staff of all ICMA member societies, working at local, national and international level, must:
Show unconditional love to the seafarer as a human being, created in the image of God, and a sincere respect for her/his personal values and beliefs;
Serve seafarers and their dependents of all nationalities, religions, cultures, language, sex o race;
Fight prejudice, intolerance and injustice of any kind;
Respect the diversity of ICMA members and Churches and develop that which unites them;
Respect the loyalty of those engaged in maritime ministry to their particular ecclesiastical discipline and tradition and refrain from proselytising seafarers;
Co-operate with persons, organisations and institutions, Christian or non-Christian, which work for the welfare of seafarers
Click below for a full-text copy of the ICMA Code of Conduct.
ICMA constitution
Click here to download a copy of the Constitution updated September 2017.
Trustees
The ICMA Trustees consist of representatives of the founding organisations of ICMA and one co-opted member. It acts as the governing body of ICMA. Current trustees include:
- Sara Baade – Sailors’ Society
- Fr. Sergio Massironi, Stella Maris (formerly Apostleship of the Sea (AOS), Pontifical Council Integral Human Development.
- Rev. Jeffrey Huseby; Nordic Council of Seamen’s Missions – Sjømannskirken – Norwegian Church Abroad
- Rev. Matthias Ristau – Deutsche Seemannsmission e.V. (DSM)
- The Rev Canon Andrew Wright – Mission to Seafarers (MtS)
- Deacon Paul Rosenblum – North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA)
- Hilbert Penninga – Nederlandse Zeevarendencentrale
- The Rev’d Mark Nestlehutt – The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI)
Joining ICMA
ICMA welcomes membership applications from Christian organisations engaged in seafarers’ welfare work and committed to our principles of ecumenical working.
Applications for membership are considered by the Annual General Meeting held each year.
Societies wishing to be considered for membership of ICMA should submit the following documentation:
- formal letter of application addressed to the Chairman of ICMA
- completed application form
- signed copy of the ICMA code of conduct indicating your acceptance of ICMA principles
- a copy of your society’s constitution in English accompanied by any relevant documentation stating your organisational aims
- one year’s financial membership contribution
The membership contributions are arranged on a sliding scale according to ability to pay. At this time, there is a minimum requirement of £500 annually. The annual membership contribution is payable in advance and is required to be paid upon application for membership. This is to demonstrate the commitment of your society to attain and to use ICMA membership. If the AGM decides that an application for membership must be refused for whatever reason, the membership contribution will be repaid in full.
Download the relevant documents here:
Representatives of societies considering applying for membership of ICMA are invited to contact us for an informal discussion.