The IMarEST – The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology was established in 1889 and is the largest international membership body and learned society for marine professionals with over 15,000 members worldwide. 

The atmosphere of the 1880s was one of major developments in engineering science as steam ships rapidly displaced sailing ships and steel overtook iron as shipbuilding’s raw material. For young marine engineers there was little in the way of literature to learn about the innovations, and marine engineers recognised the need to present and discuss ‘practical’ papers written for and by them. The lack of corporate professional status was another key issue of the time. These developments led to the formation of a Marine Engineers Union in 1887. 

In 1888 ten members of the Poplar Branch of the Union were expelled for issuing a circular announcing a meeting to discuss the administration of Union funds and three of those expelled then proposed that an association should be set up which would be completely separate from trade unionism. A circular was sent to the Chief Engineers of every steamer in the Port of London in which they were invited to join what was to be called the Institute of Marine Engineers. 

The inaugural meeting of the new Institute was held on 12 February 1889 at the Workmen’s Hall in Stratford East London, and the first Council meeting was held four days later at which point the membership numbered just 284. 

At that time, the first President was elected – Asplan Beldam, and the first Honorary Secretary – James Adamson, the President expressed the hope that the Institute would become a power, not  only in London but throughout the world.  Had he been alive today he would not only have great pride in the fact that his confidence was justified, but would have been astonished that the Institute’s growth had probably vastly exceeded all his expectations.  From the meetings in the Langthorne Rooms, the Institute moved in 1891 into premises at 58 Romford Road, Stratford which it occupied until the outbreak of the First World War and thereafter to 85-88 Minories at Tower Hill.  By then the second Secretary had taken office, Mr B C Curling.

During World War Two the Institute re-housed temporarily in High Wycombe, and returned to the Minories in 1945 to find the building had suffered little structural damage apart from blown out windows; membership at the time numbered some 5,500.  The building was renovated and it remained the HQ until the late 1950s; by this time Mr Curling had retired and Mr J Stuart Robinson had become Secretary.  He oversaw the move to the ultra-modern building in Mark Lane; over 700 people attended the opening of The Memorial Building in 1957.

During the 1950s and 1960s many overseas branches were formed and membership rose to 22,000 but this was long before the international marine industry suffered the massive affects of the oil price hikes and restrained world economies.  It was Jolyon Sloggett, only the fourth holder of the position of Secretary, who had to face the challenges of maintaining membership and services in an era of financial austerity, minimum manning, and massive changes in ship operation.

The Institute moved to its current location, 80 Coleman Street in 1999 overseen by the newly appointed fifth Secretary of the Institute, Keith Read CBE.  He was the prime mover in broadening the Institute as an international organisation embracing science and technology alongside marine engineering, and promoting the close interactions of marine engineers, scientists and technologists.

In May 2009 Marcus Jones, previously the Chief Operating Office took over as Chief Executive and continues to strengthen the Institute as an internationally renowned learned and professional institute. His remit is to improve the profitability of the Institute so more charitable works can be done and to create strong global networks of Marine Professionals who can deliver the Institute's Vision "A world where Marine resources and activities are sustained, managed and developed for the benefit of humanity."