The Royal Institution of Naval Architects has been awarded Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Consultative Status by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The Institution has formed an IMO Naval Architectural Group of those professional institutions and societies which represent the global naval architecture profession, and wish their views to be represented at the IMO. Through this informal grouping, the Institution will inform and represent the consensus view of these organizations.

The Chief Executive of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, Mr. Trevor Blakeley, says “In awarding Consultative Status, the IMO recognized the Institution is an international organisation which, through its own membership and the collective memberships of the national professional institutions with whom it has links, is best able to represent the global naval architecture profession. The Institution considers that it holds its Consultative Status on behalf of the international naval architecture profession.”

The Institution will undertake to inform and seek the views of members of the Group on naval architectural related matters being considered by the Maritime Safety Committee, the Marine Environment Protection Committee and their relevant sub-committees and working groups. Mr. Trevor Blakeley concludes “It is believed that the NGO Consultative Status awarded to RINA will provide an opportunity for the international naval architecture profession to make a positive contribution to the work of the IMO, and to the improvement of safety at sea.”