The Institute of Marine Engineers (IMarE) has received official approval from HM Privy Council to change its name to The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology - IMarEST. The change heralds the first significant move by any UK-based learned body to broaden its scope of activity and widen its membership to professionals engaged in all sectors of the marine industry.All qualified individuals in the marine science and marine technology fields can now join an internationally respected professional learned body alongside their professional engineering counterparts and have their qualifications and experience formally recognised by designatory letters.

The 112-year old IMarE has been forcing the pace of change amongst the professional institutions. The new IMarEST name and new Royal Charter and By-Laws are the culmination of a number of visionary ideas by marine engineers to bring together professionals and develop a world-class maritime professional and learned body for the benefit of the Marine Industry. Marine scientists and technologists will now have access to the major IMarEST information base, access to its 46 branches throughout the world and have a vehicle to present scientific and technical papers to a wide international professional audience.

The change of name is coupled with the formation of new professional categories, decoupling membership requirements from the UK Engineering Council and placing a greater emphasis on competence to practise. Existing Institute members may be eligible to revise their current membership category and a much greater number of the marine community will now have the opportunity to join the Institute. It is the first global membership body to adopt an all-embracing approach for the whole industry. The membership service and learned society activities will focus on meeting the needs of the different marine sectors, which include offshore, shipbuilding, oceanography, marine ecology, and sub sea technology. In addition to continuing membership of the Engineering Council the Institute has become a member of the Science Council.The official launch of Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology is planned for next spring.