About 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.

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.

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 approved a Strategic Plan for the future at the January 2026 meetings. A copy of the Strategic Plan is available by clicking here: ICMA Strategic Plan 2026-2029.

The ICMA Code of Conduct (revised, 2024) states that chaplains and staff of all ICMA member societies, working at local, national and international level, must:

• A. Show an unconditional love to seafarers as human beings, created in the image of God, conveying a sincere respect for their personal values and beliefs, while refraining from proselytism, which is a coercive imposition of religion;
• B. Serve seafarers and their dependants, regardless of nationality, political opinion, religion, culture, language, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnic origin;
• C. Respect the diversity of ICMA Members’ ecclesiastical traditions and endeavour to celebrate and elevate that which unites its membership;
• D. Cooperate with persons, organisations and institutions, both faith-based and secular, which work to enhance the well-being of seafarers; and
• E. Advocate on behalf of seafarers utilising appropriate channels, e.g., ILO, IMO, governmental entities, and other bodies, to advance seafarer welfare.

Click here for a full-text copy of the ICMA Code of Conduct (2024).

Click here to download a copy of the Constitution Updated September 2024.

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. Ritchille Salinas, S.V.D. – Apostleship of the Sea (Apostolatus Maris)
• Rev. Selma Ravn – Nordic Council of Seamen’s Missions (Danske Sømands-og Udlandskirker)
• Rev. Matthias Ristau – Deutsche Seemannsmission e.V. (DSM)
• The Ven Dr Peter Rouch – Mission to Seafarers (MtS)
• Dcn. Paul Rosenblum – North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA)
• Capt. Martin van Belle – Nederlandse Zeevarendencentrale
• The Rev’d Mark Nestlehutt – The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI)