IME Marine Group: marine surveys, registration and training

Credentials, networks and independence

A loaded container vessel alongside the quay at dusk, gantry cranes working over her deck

Container vessel alongside, Panama

ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation, Type A inspection body

Held by International Marine Experts. Issued by Panama's National Accreditation Council (CNA), DGNTI-COPANIT ISO/IEC 17020:2014, OI-068. Scope: inspection of hazardous gases on ships (NFPA 306-2024) and in confined spaces (NFPA 350-2022). Accredited since 1 March 2021.

Marine Chemist Surveys, authorised by the Panama Maritime Authority

Held by International Marine Experts. Issued by Panama Maritime Authority. Scope: gas-free certificates and hot-work and confined-space entry permits in Panamanian waters.

Listed surveyor for CESAM, DPS and TNM

Held by International Marine Experts. IME is named on the surveyor panels of all three.

Member of the TIC Council

Held by International Marine Experts. The international association for the testing, inspection and certification industry.

An IME surveyor standing at the bottom of an empty cargo hold, dwarfed by its steel walls

Hold inspection, bulk carrier

IME attends as an independent surveyor. Findings are recorded as they are, and reports are prepared to stand on their own before third parties. IME's surveys and Bierman Pautt's legal work are contracted, staffed and reported separately.

See all credentials and authorisations

Maritime services

A surveyor in a white helmet and overalls checking the main engine in a vessel's engine room

Marine surveys, inspections and certificates

Pre-purchase and condition, bunker, draft, cargo, casualty and damage surveys, marine chemist and gas-free inspections, PCSOPEP and Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM), attended by IME.

See pre-purchase and condition surveys

The bow of a loaded container ship under way at dusk

Ship registration, legal and corporate services

Crew endorsements and seafarer certification, corporate formation and management, and maritime legal advice, handled by Bierman Pautt & Associates.

See ship registration

Satellite communication dishes and masts on the superstructure of a vessel

Accounting authority, Inmarsat activation and LRIT

Accounting authority (AAIC) for satellite communications charges, Point of Service Activation (PSA) for Inmarsat terminals, and the LRIT conformance test, handled by Bright North.

See accounting authority, Inmarsat activation and LRIT

Seafarers in life jackets on a rescue boat drill at sea

STCW training and crew certification

Thirteen courses recognised by the Panama Maritime Authority under Resolution DGGM-CFM-028-2025, valid 2025 to 2027, delivered by the International Seafarers Training Institute (ISTI).

See STCW courses and dates

1
Marine surveys, inspections and certificates
Pre-purchase and condition, bunker, draft, cargo, casualty and damage surveys, marine chemist and gas-free inspections, PCSOPEP and Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM), attended by IME.
See pre-purchase and condition surveys
2
Ship registration, legal and corporate services
Crew endorsements and seafarer certification, corporate formation and management, and maritime legal advice, handled by Bierman Pautt & Associates.
See ship registration
3
Accounting authority, Inmarsat activation and LRIT
Accounting authority (AAIC) for satellite communications charges, Point of Service Activation (PSA) for Inmarsat terminals, and the LRIT conformance test, handled by Bright North.
See accounting authority, Inmarsat activation and LRIT
4
STCW training and crew certification
Thirteen courses recognised by the Panama Maritime Authority under Resolution DGGM-CFM-028-2025, valid 2025 to 2027, delivered by the International Seafarers Training Institute (ISTI).
See STCW courses and dates

Panama City
Istanbul
Dubai
Shanghai
Hai Phong
Las Palmas

The companies

01 / 04
International Marine Experts
Survey and inspection. Attends the vessel and signs the report. Incorporated in Panama in 2004.
About IME
02 / 04
Bierman Pautt & Associates
Maritime law. Acts as resident agent and files before the administration. Panama City, since 2006.
About Bierman Pautt
03 / 04
Bright North Corp.
Satellite communications. Holds the accounting authority code that a vessel’s radio licence requires. Panama, since 2011.
About Bright North
04 / 04
International Seafarers Training Institute
Seafarer training. Issues the course certificates that go into a seafarer’s endorsement file. Panama City, since 2024.
About ISTI