Water Transportation Trade Associations

American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)

Trade association of seaport authorities in the Americas providing advocacy, training, and networking for port leaders; represents 130 port authorities plus 200+ industry solution providers.

https://www.aapa-ports.org/ Membership: 130

American Pilots’ Association (APA)

National association of state‑licensed maritime pilots in the U.S.; about 60 pilot groups guide more than 95% of oceangoing vessels in U.S. waters.

http://www.americanpilots.org/ Membership: 60

American Waterways Operators (AWO)

U.S. tugboat, towboat, and barge industry’s national trade group, advocating on safety, infrastructure, and policy for carrier and affiliate companies; has over 300 member companies.

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

Association of Marina Industries (AMI)

Nonprofit serving marinas, boatyards, yacht clubs and suppliers, offering training (CMM/CMO), advocacy, and research; counts about 1,250 active member businesses.

https://marinaassociation.org/ Membership: 1,250

BIMCO

One of the world’s largest international shipping associations, providing contracts, standards and advocacy for owners, operators, managers, brokers and agents; 2,100 members in 120 countries.

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

Central Dredging Association (CEDA)

European–Africa–Middle East dredging association within WODA; membership includes 100+ corporate and 200+ individual members across 30+ countries, focused on best practice and knowledge‑sharing.

https://www.dredging.org/ Membership: 300

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)

Global cruise industry association uniting ocean, river and specialty cruise lines with ports, destinations and partners; 59 cruise line members plus 350+ executive partners and 70,000+ travel advisors.

https://cruising.org/ Membership: 59

Inland Rivers, Ports & Terminals (IRPT)

Nationwide trade association for inland waterway ports, terminals and related businesses focused on advocacy and market development across U.S. river basins; over 350 members.

https://www.irpt.net/ Membership: 350

Interferry

Global association for the ferry sector advocating on regulation and safety and facilitating networking; membership exceeds 280 companies representing 40+ countries.

https://interferry.com/ Membership: 280

International Association of Classification Societies (IACS)

Association of 12 leading classification societies that set and harmonize technical standards for ship design, construction and maintenance, covering >90% of world tonnage.

https://iacs.org.uk/ Membership: 12

International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH)

Global ports association (HQ Tokyo) representing over 200 ports and national port bodies with consultative status at multiple UN agencies.

https://www.iaphworldports.org/ Membership: 200

International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)

Global shipowners’ association representing national shipowners’ associations and over 80% of the world merchant fleet; 34 national associations are full members.

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

International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA)

Trade association for offshore marine contractors across oil & gas and renewables, providing technical guidance, safety flashes, and advocacy; more than 800 member companies worldwide.

https://www.imca-int.com/ Membership: 800

INTERCARGO

International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners representing bulk carrier owners/operators; as of end‑2024 had 158 full and 107 associate members (265 total) with 3,253 vessels entered.

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

INTERTANKO

Independent Tanker Owners’ association advocating safe, responsible and competitive tanker shipping; as of January 2024 had 175 full members and ~226 associate members.

https://www.intertanko.com/ Membership: 175

Lake Carriers’ Association (LCA)

U.S. Great Lakes shipping association advocating for U.S.-flag vessel operators; represents 13 member companies operating 43 lakers.

https://lcaships.com/ Membership: 13

Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA)

U.S. offshore service vessel industry trade association advocating on Jones Act, safety and regulatory issues; represents about 170 member companies and 12,000 employees.

https://offshoremarine.org/ Membership: 170

Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA)

Pacific Northwest regional trade association of ports, businesses and public agencies advocating for navigation, energy, trade and economic development; 150+ entities in membership.

https://www.pnwa.net/ Membership: 150

Western Dredging Association (WEDA)

Non‑profit association in the Americas promoting best practice in dredging via conferences, training and guidance; has 593 registered members.

https://www.westerndredging.org/ Membership: 593

World Shipping Council (WSC)

Primary global liner shipping trade association whose member companies operate about 90% of global container capacity; includes 20 carrier members.

https://www.worldshipping.org/ Membership: 20