News: IMarEST opens office in China as membership grows

The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), the world’s largest global marine and maritime professional body, has today announced that it has opened an office in Shanghai, China.

Following a steady growth of members, and various meetings with Chinese government, associations, industry and press, the IMarEST has taken up an office presence in the Maritime and Finance Excellence Center (MFE Center) in Pudong, Shanghai and is also close to launching an IMarEST Branch in Shanghai.

Dr Jane Smallman, IMarEST’s 114th President commented: “We have had an excellent reception in Shanghai with some extremely positive meetings with the government in the Pudong District and the Shanghai Municipal Transport Commission. We were welcomed to support the local marine and maritime cluster with access to knowledge and professional development, and I am pleased that the IMarEST is able to provide a platform for further learning in China.”

With a growing number of IMarEST members in China, the Institute met with a number of key government officials and associations, as well as Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Company, China’s largest shipyard, with interest from the local media.

David Kelly, Director of Asia Pacific for IMarEST added: “We have some brilliantly engaged members and a number of industry professionals who are keen for the IMarEST to expand and launch a branch in China. Shanghai is certainly a strong hub for marine and maritime commerce, operation, construction and education, and I am delighted that we have opened an office in the MFE Center to support this activity.”

Michael Sun, a Fellow of the IMarEST involved in setting up the branch, and managing director of Altaships added: “It has been excellent to have the support of the IMarEST President and executive team with our ambition to launch a branch in Shanghai. There is a real desire and thirst for information and knowledge sharing and the IMarEST would provide a fantastic support for local members to share their experiences and technical knowledge for the benefit of the marine and maritime community. It really is the right time to develop high standards of professionalism for the right emerging marine community in the right city.”