Established in 1921, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the principal global trade association for shipowners and operators, concerned with all regulatory, operational and legal issues, as well as employment affairs. The ICS comprises national shipowners associations from Asia, Europe and the Americas, whose member shipping companies operate over 80% of the world merchant fleet.

In addition to representing the interests of shipowners and operators at bodies such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), the production and revision of maritime publications is one of the most important tasks that ICS undertakes on behalf of the shipping industry.

Many of these industry guides are an essential complement to international regulations, and are required reading by companies and seafarers involved in maritime operations.