Ships and Boats Trade Associations

American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC)

Develops voluntary safety standards for small craft and provides technical training and certifications to marine professionals; widely referenced by manufacturers and the U.S. Coast Guard. Approx. 3,000 members.

https://abycinc.org/ Membership: 3,000

American Boat Builders & Repairers Association (ABBRA)

U.S. trade group for boat building, refit, repair and service businesses, offering advocacy, training and best‑practice resources. Represents 250+ member companies.

https://abbra.org/ Membership: 250

American Waterways Operators (AWO)

National advocate for the U.S. tugboat, towboat and barge industry, providing regulatory, safety and policy leadership for carrier and supply‑chain members. 300+ member companies.

https://www.americanwaterways.com/ Membership: 300

Association of Marina Industries (AMI)

U.S.-based association serving marinas, boatyards, yacht clubs and vendors with training (including marina manager certification), advocacy and industry research. 1,000+ members.

https://marinaassociation.org/ Membership: 1,000

Association of Ship Brokers & Agents (ASBA)

U.S. trade association for shipbrokers and ship agents promoting professional conduct, education and certification across brokerage and agency practices. Around 130 member firms.

https://www.asba.org/ Membership: 130

BIMCO (Baltic and International Maritime Council)

Global shipping association best known for standard contracts/clauses and regulatory advocacy; members span owners, managers, brokers and agents in 120 countries. About 2,100 members.

https://www.bimco.org/ Membership: 2,100

British Marine

UK national trade association for the leisure marine, superyacht and small commercial sectors, providing technical, legal and market support. Roughly 1,200 member businesses.

https://www.britishmarine.co.uk/ Membership: 1,200

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)

The world’s largest cruise industry trade association, supporting cruise lines, suppliers and travel trade with policy advocacy, safety and training. About 60 member cruise lines globally.

https://www.cruising.org/ Membership: 60

European Boating Industry (EBI)

Represents Europe’s recreational boating and marina sector at EU level on issues from single market and trade to environment and tourism. 32 national/sector members across 21 countries.

https://www.europeanboatingindustry.eu/ Membership: 32

ECSA – European Shipowners

Voice of European shipowners’ associations on competitiveness, trade and decarbonization, engaging EU institutions and regulators. 22 national member associations.

https://www.ecsa.eu/ Membership: 22

International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH)

Global alliance of ports focused on policy, sustainability and best practice exchange; recognized NGO at multiple UN agencies. Membership totals about 357 (≈190 ports plus 167 port‑related businesses).

https://www.iaphworldports.org/ Membership: 357

International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)

Worldwide trade association for the global shipping industry via national shipowner associations; represents ~80% of world merchant tonnage. 34 full (national association) members.

https://www.ics-shipping.org/ Membership: 34

International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA)

International federation of national marine industry associations for the recreational boating sector, providing technical guidance, market intelligence and global advocacy. 38 national associations.

https://www.icomia.org/ Membership: 38

International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA)

Trade association for offshore marine contractors (oil, gas and renewables) advancing safety, technical standards and contracting best practice worldwide. ≈822 member companies.

https://www.imca-int.com/ Membership: 822

International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO)

Dry bulk shipowners’ association advocating for safety, environmental performance and fair regulation; tracks fleet performance and best practices. 265 members (158 Full, 107 Associate as of Dec 2024).

https://www.intercargo.org/ Membership: 265

International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO)

Association of independent tanker owners promoting safe, efficient and environmentally sound tanker shipping; active on regulation and best practice. About 400 members (≈180 Full, ≈220 Associate, Jan 2025).

https://www.intertanko.com/ Membership: 400

National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)

North America’s leading recreational boating manufacturers’ association, providing advocacy, market expansion, statistics and trade events. Roughly 1,400 member companies.

https://www.nmma.org/ Membership: 1,400

Passenger Vessel Association (PVA)

U.S. association for operators of Coast Guard‑inspected passenger vessels (ferries, excursions, dinner boats, small‑ship overnight), offering safety programs, compliance tools and advocacy. About 600 member companies.

https://www.passengervessel.com/ Membership: 600

Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA)

National trade association for the U.S. shipyard industrial base—builders, repairers and key suppliers—advancing policies that strengthen commercial and government shipbuilding/repair. 140+ member companies.

https://shipbuildersusa.org/ Membership: 140

United States Superyacht Association (USSA)

U.S. trade association for the superyacht sector, promoting the industry through advocacy, marketing and events, and connecting businesses serving large yachts. Nearly 400 members.

https://www.ussuperyacht.com/ Membership: 400