The International Harbour Masters' Association is the professional body for those with responsibility for the safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sound conduct of marine operations in port waters. Worldwide there are approximately 3,000 merchant ports and the work of the Harbour Master can vary widely from country to country and from port to port, even within the same country. For this reason, the Association strives to bring together all those who hold a managerial position in aspects of the control of Marine Operations within a port or its approaches, whatever their job title. Furthermore, the Association seeks to develop and foster good relations between its members world-wide through its regular communications and meetings for members and by representing the professional views of its members internationally, regionally, and nationally. The International Harbour Masters’ Association also has non-governmental, consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The IHMA holds a biennial Congress. The next biennial Congress will take place in Hobart, Australia from 23 – 26 March 2020 and will address the theme ‘The Next Wave – Navigating Towards the Digital Future’. IHMA’s Congress provides a unique forum in which formal Association meetings are combined with a conference, extensive networking program and an exhibition – displaying equipment, services and technical developments relevant to the ports and harbour sector and providing both local and international sponsors and exhibitors with a unique marketing platform. For more information regarding membership of IHMA or our biennial Congress, please contact the IHMA Secretary at secretary.ihma@harbourmaster.org.