The IMarEST is an international membership body and learned society bringing marine engineers, scientists and technologists together. The largest marine organisation of its kind, it spans 128 countries and works to promote the scientific development of marine disciplines, providing opportunities for the exchange of ideas and practices and upholding the status, standards and expertise of marine professionals worldwide.

It is an NGO with consultative status at the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO), observer status at the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, International Hydrographic Organization, the London Convention/London Protocol (LC/LP) and GESAMP and it has special consultative status with ECOSOC.