About IMPA

The International Maritime Pilots' Association (IMPA) is the global representative body for maritime pilots. It brings together pilots' associations from around the world behind a single goal: professionally sound, safe pilotage as an essential public service.

Today, IMPA represents more than 8,200 maritime pilots across 53 countries — around 70% of the world's licensed pilots, who together carry out over two million acts of pilotage every year.

IMPA was formed on the initiative of pilots' associations from five continents, whose representatives first met in Kiel, Germany, in June 1970. The Association was officially launched in Amsterdam in May 1971.

A non-profit organisation with a genuinely international outlook, IMPA pursues its mission in two ways.

First, it unites pilots worldwide. IMPA gives member associations a forum to raise shared concerns, compare experiences, and pool expertise. That collective knowledge shapes policies that are both credible and practical to implement — helping pilots everywhere practise their profession with confidence.

Second, it carries a formal voice into the international maritime arena. Since 1973, IMPA has held accredited consultative status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) — the United Nations agency, now with 176 Member States, responsible for setting global standards on ship safety and the prevention of pollution from vessels. IMPA delegates contribute to this work year-round through active participation in the IMO's committees, sub-committees and working groups.

Our Mission

IMPA represents the international community of maritime pilots. We draw on the collective resources of our membership to deliver effective safety outcomes in pilotage — an essential public service.

What We Believe

IMPA holds that:

The public interest is best served by a fully regulated, cohesive pilotage service that is free of commercial pressure.
There is no substitute for a qualified pilot on the bridge of a ship.
The IMO is the prime authority on the safety of international shipping.
Every state should ground its pilotage regulations, standards and procedures in proven safety strategies.
Current and emerging technologies can strengthen maritime pilots' on-board decision-making.

Our Vision

IMPA will:

Provide leadership within the maritime community on every matter related to pilotage.
Seek out the best available knowledge and share it with our members — advancing the profession and keeping it relevant to a changing world.
Remain the only global representative body for maritime pilots.
Grow our membership until every maritime nation is represented.
Keep strengthening communication between member organisations.
Endeavour to ensure every state recognises IMPA as the international authority on pilotage — to weigh our policies and resolutions, and to seek our expertise.
Keep improving pilots' working environment to reduce the risk of personal injury.

More information

For more information about IMPA and our work, contact office@impahq.org

For more information on IMPA membership, our latest membership brochure is available here.