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About ICMA

Welcome to the World of ICMA: Pioneering Maritime Arbitration Excellence

The International Congress of Maritime Arbitrators (ICMA) is a cornerstone event for maritime and commercial arbitrators, legal experts, and the global shipping industry. This prestigious occasion provides a platform for insightful deliberations, fostering knowledge exchange and professional engagement.

ICMA is not a conventional organization; it's a series of conferences that convene every 2 to 3 years with the unified objective of advancing maritime arbitration practices worldwide. We have evolved to encompass delegates from an average of 26 countries, with approximately 50 thought-provoking papers presented at each event.

Our international maritime conferences draw a diverse audience, comprising arbitrators, legal professionals, ship owners, charterers, and industry leaders, along with their esteemed guests. Beyond scholarly discourse, ICMA enhances the experience with social programs, including the time-honored black-tie dinner and convivial cocktail gatherings.

What sets ICMA apart is its dynamic structure. Unlike traditional organizations, we operate in an ad-hoc manner, orchestrated by the host organization. The ICMA Permanent Steering Committee, comprising delegates from New York, London, and previous and current ICMA organizing committees, meticulously selects venues and appoints the chairman of the ICMA Topics Committee.

The ICMA Topics Committee plays a pivotal role, proposing discussion themes, collecting delegate papers, and orchestrating the productive working sessions of the Congress. Our commitment to knowledge dissemination is reflected in the publication of all presented papers in the Congress Proceedings.

In summary, ICMA stands as a cornerstone for professionals in maritime arbitration and related sectors to convene, exchange insights, and elevate the standards of maritime arbitration on a global scale. Experience the unique character of ICMA, driven by its commitment to excellence and the diverse community of experts it assembles. Join us on this extraordinary journey today

History
Maritime Arbitration Associations

The International Congress of Maritime Arbitrators (ICMA) was established in 1972 to provide a forum for maritime arbitrators and lawyers from around the world to exchange views and news of professional interest.

The following conferences have taken place so far

ICMA I Moscow, 1972
ICMA II Athens, 1974
ICMA III Santa Margarita, 1976
ICMA IV London, 1979
ICMA V New York, 1981
ICMA VI Monte Carlo, 1983
ICMA VII Casablanca, 1985
ICMA VIII Madrid, 1987
ICMA IX Hamburg, 1989
ICMA X Vancouver, 1991
ICMA XI Hong Kong, 1994
ICMA XII Paris, 1996
ICMA XIII Auckland, 1999
ICMA XIV New York, 2001
ICMA XV London, 2004
ICMA XVI Singapore, 2007
ICMA XVII Hamburg, 2009
ICMA XVIII Vancouver, 2012
ICMA XIX Hong Kong, 2015
ICMA XX, Copenhagen, 2017
ICMA XXI, Rio de Janeiro, 2020

The origins of ICMA are intriguing. The first conference was conceived in Moscow in 1972. Michael van Gelder, then president of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Cedric Barclay and Clifford Clark, two future presidents of the London Maritime Arbitrators Association, and Roger Jambu-Merlin, then president of the Chambre Arbitrale Maritime de Paris were all attendees at an International Congress of Commercial Arbitrators which was being held in Moscow. They decided there and then to stage their own impromptu Congress, the first International Congress of Maritime Arbitrators (ICMA). Professors Sergei Lebedev and George Maslov of Moscow provided the place and a large audience.

Cedric Barclay, a vibrant and talented multi-linguist with a great sense of humor and a true "hands-on" arbitrator, decided that this sort of exchange of ideas should be expanded to include maritime arbitrators and lawyers from all over the world. Building on the Moscow Congress as the "original" ICMA, Cedric Barclay pursued the idea and organized the second ICMA Congress in 1974 at a beach hotel, a few miles outside of Athens. It was the first organized, exclusively maritime-focused arbitration Congress with papers prepared in advance, and was attended by maritime arbitrators and lawyers from twenty countries.

In tribute to Cedric Barclay's vision in organizing ICMA and since his death in 1989, every Congress has held the Cedric Barclay Memorial Lecture, in his memory. His late widow, Mrs. Cora Barclay was an honoured guest. Past speakers all have been highly respected as masters in dispute resolution.

[The above is an excerpt from an article written by Lucienne Bulow, former President of the Society of Maritime Arbitrators.]

There are many associations around the world promoting arbitration in maritime disputes. Some of these associations are listed below. Please use the links for further information.

Australia:	Australian Maritime and Transport Arbitration Commission [AMTAC]	Website
Brasil	Centro Brasileiro de Mediação e Arbitragem (CBMA)	Website
Canada:	Association of Maritime Arbitrators of Canada (AMAC)
Canada:	Vancouver Maritime Arbitrators Association (VMAA):	Website
China:	China Maritime Arbitration Commission (CMAC):
China:	Shanghai International Shipping Arbitration Court (SISAC):
Denmark:	The Danish Institute of Arbitration	Website
France:	Chambre Arbitrale Maritime de Paris (C.A.M.P.):	Website
Germany:	German Maritime Arbitration Association (GMAA):	Website
Greece:	Piraeus Association for Maritime Arbitration (PAMA)	Website
Hong Kong:	Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group (HKMAG)	Website
Nigeria:	Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN):	Website
Singapore:	Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration (SCMA)	Website
Spain:	Spanish Maritime Arbitration Association (IMARCO)
The Netherlands:	UNUM (Arbitration & Mediation)	Website
United Arab Emirates:	Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC)	Website
United Kingdom:	London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA):	Website
United States of America:	Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc. (SMA):	Website
United States of America:	The Maritime Arbitration Association of the United States (MAA):	Website

If you are aware of any other national or regional maritime arbitration association which should be listed here, please contact Clive Aston ( cliveaston@cliveaston.com). Thanks.

"We look forward to greeting you at ICMA XXII, our first historic Congress held in the vibrant Middle East at Dubai's elegant Jumeirah Emirate Towers from March 5-11th. Delegates from over 25 countries will present outstanding papers on a great variety of topical subjects and issues involving international maritime arbitration, beginning with the presentation of the Cedric Barclay Memorial Lecture by the Hon. Sir Bernard Eder, Former Barrister and English High Court Judge. You are sure to experience a unique and enjoyable professional and social opportunity to meet and discuss what we do with leading international maritime arbitrators, attorneys and industry leaders. We will see you there!"
David Martowski
Chairman of the ICMA XXII Steering Committee