ICS develops and promotes shipping industry best practices and guidance through a wide range of publications and free resources that are used by ship operators globally.
You can download most publications from the list below for free and purchase the paid-for publications from our ICS bookshop.
The ICS Diversity Tracker looks into the state of diversity and inclusion in the global shipping labour force. The Tracker, which surveyed more than 200 shipping companies across the world, sets baseline targets for improved corporate diversity and inclusion policies in the coming years.
Guidance for the global shipping industry to help combat the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The comprehensive 48-page document has been produced in collaboration with prominent international bodies.
Aim to safeguard the health of seafarers and guarantee the safe operations of maritime trade – offering governments and the general public reassurance that seafarers can embark and disembark ships safely. Published by ICS, IMHA and INTERTANKO.
Guidance to support all types of ships which operate in international waters. Note: This second version from May 2020 has been replaced by an updated version 'Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance for Ship Operators for the Protection of the Health of Seafarers, v3'
Age discrimination is no joke and can affect individuals of all ages in any field of work, including the shipping industry. It can lead to decreased motivation and increased sickness and can compromise cohesive and effective teamwork. It can also negatively affect companies resulting in potential organisational, economic and legal consequences. These new guidelines will help ship operators understand the different types of age discrimination, whether direct or indirect, and show how this can be avoided with respect to recruitment, training, pay and promotion, as well as redundancy and retirement.
This ICS publication is the comprehensive and definitive guide to MLC compliance for anyone involved with the employment of seafarers, including shipping companies, ship managers and crewing agents.
ICS and ITF have jointly published these guidelines to assist governments, welfare agencies and other relevant parties in drafting their own guidelines for implementing the welfare provisions of the MLC.
All seafarers have the right to work without suffering harassment and bullying. ICS and ITF have together produced this guidance for shipping companies, seafarers and seafarers’ organisations and other parties on what they can do to eliminate harassment and bullying.
ICS led shipowner representation in the negotiations for the text of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). This brochure explains the measures which port state control officers are entitled to take following the entry into force of the MLC on 20 August 2013, and offers advice to shipowners to help them pre-empt port state control problems.
The competence of seafarers is the most critical factor in the safe and efficient operation of ships, and has a direct impact on the safety of life at sea and the protection of the marine environment. This short brochure summarises what seafarers can expect from the updated Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention), which entered into force on 1 January 2012.