Promoting contact and cooperation between maritime lecturers of all disciplines and developing a body of professional expertise – IMLA
Invitation – Call for Abstracts
École Nationale Supérieure Maritime (French Maritime Academy) is delighted to invite you to attend the 31st International Maritime Lecturers Association (IMLA31) Conference, to be held in Le Havre, France, from 27 to 30 October 2026.
“The Revised STCW and the Future of Maritime Education and Training”
2026 represents a significant milestone for the STCW Convention and for maritime education and training worldwide. In accordance with this, IMLA31 provides a timely opportunity to focus on the implications of the revised STCW Convention.
In line with this theme, we particularly welcome papers addressing, but not limited to, the following topics:
- Gender-based and sexual harassment and assault,
- Artificial intelligence,
- Development of new courses,
- Major changes in officer training,
- Continuing education,
- Role of simulators in maritime training.
Involving IMLA’s three SIGs (Special Interest Groups):
International Navigation Simulator Lecturers Conference-INSLC24
International Conference on Engine Room Simulators-ICERS18
International Maritime English Conference-IMEC36
This year IMLA31 invites you to choose a category for your contribution to the conference. You may select an option in line with your interests from the following: academic research, funded project, my practice (showcase a lecture plan), workshop, round table. We encourage participants to select a topic within the context of the IMLA31 dedicated theme.
Please send your abstract to the following email address imla31@supmaritime.fr
Publication of articles
IMLA is delighted to announce that academic papers submitted to IMLA31 may be eligible for publication in WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs.
If you are submitting under the category « Academic Papers » and would like your paper to be considered for review and potential publication, please could you indicate this.
Important deadlines
Abstract submission by April 10th 2026
Full paper submission by June 26th 2026
For any queries or further information, please do not hesitate to contact the Local Organising Committee via email at imla31@supmaritime.fr
À bientôt au Havre!
IMLA Committee
IMLA31 Local Organising Committee
- Gersende Le Dimna, Head of International Relations and Academic Partnerships
- Capt. Octavian Postolache AFNI, Maritime Lecturer
- Edward Melaert, Maritime English Lecturer
- Valentine Lesoudier, Head of Communication
- Anna Boscaro, Communication and Event Manager
- Tisha Tientcheu, International Relations and Academic Partnerships Apprentice
Keynote speakers
Under construction
Conference topics
Maritime Education and Training (MET) and Technology: Traditional and online MET, distant simulation learning, STCW and MET, technological innovation in training, simulator-based industrial research…
Simulation and Immersive Learning: Navigation and engine-room simulators, green operations through simulation, VR/AR-based MET, emerging and specialized simulator technologies, energy management through simulation…
Human factors and Educational Competences: Prevention of gender-based and sexual violence, Human factors in training, Maritime English and communication, soft skills in the maritime domain, teaching skills for bridge simulation and maritime education…
Maritime Safety, Security, and Regulation: Maritime safety and security, maritime cyber security, international rules and regulations, navigation aids…
Maritime Economy, Policy, and Management: Maritime policy and strategies, logistics, maritime economy, business and administration, decarbonisation and energy management in the maritime sector…
Conference programme
Under construction
Conference fees and registration
The pre-registration form is already available at this link :
Individuals who have completed the pre-registration form will receive an email.
The registration form will be available in May.
To participate in the Conference, participants must complete the payment process when submitting the registration form. Registrations without payment will not be confirmed.
Prices
| Early Registration (Deadline September 4th 2026) |
Registration | VAT | |
| Non-IMLA member | € 560 | € 660 | +10% (to be confirmed) |
| IMLA member | € 460 | € 560 | +10% (to be confirmed) |
| PhD student | € 250 | € 350 | +10% (to be confirmed) |
| Bsc/Msc student | Free of charge | Free of charge | — |
| Accompanying person | € 280 | € 380 | +20% (to be confirmed) |
Services included in the registration fee
- Admission to all sessions,
- Conference materials,
- Certificate of attendance,
- E-proceedings with full texts,
- Coffee breaks, lunches, cocktail, one dinner and a gala dinner.
Accommodation and transportation
Le Havre, a UNESCO World Heritage city, offers a wide range of accommodation options, from modern hotels in the rebuilt city centre to convenient apartments close to the docks.
Hotel accommodation benefits from specially negotiated rates; depending on the establishment, please follow the specific booking procedure indicated.
Hotel Accommodation
4-Star Hotels
- Hilton Garden Inn Le Havre Centre
128 boulevard Clémenceau, 76600 Le Havre.
Price: €165 per night for 1 person / €185 per night for 2 persons.
Booking through the hotel’s sales department by telephone: (+33) 2 79 42 00 63, quoting the code ENSM 2026.
Prepayment: First night payable in advance. The balance of your stay, including subsequent nights, tourist tax and any extras, is payable on site.
Cancellation: Free of charge up to 30 days before arrival; beyond 30 days prior to arrival, the full stay is payable.
Tourist tax: €2.86 per person per night, payable on site.
- Novotel Le Havre Centre Gare
Cours La Fayette & Quai Colbert, 76600 Le Havre.
Price: €84 per night (until 01/07/2026) / €100 per night (from 02/07/2026).
Booking via email h5650-sb@accor.com or by phone (+33) 2 35 26 37 90, quoting the code ENSM-2026.
Cancellation: Free of charge up to 24 hours before arrival
Breakfast included
Tourist tax: €2.86 per person per night.
- Best Western Plus Hotel Le Havre Centre Gare 23 Cours de la République, 76600 Le Havre
Price: €118 per night.
Booking via email reservations@bwpluslehavrecentregare.com or by phone (+33) 2 35 25 42 48, quoting the code IMLA2710.
Cancellation: Flexible – free of charge up to 2 days before arrival
Breakfast included
Tourist tax: €2.86 per person per night.
- Mercure le Havre Bassin du Commerce
Chaussée Georges Pompidou, 76600 Le Havre.
Price: €125 per night.
Booking via email h0341-sb@accor.com or by phone (+33) 2 35 19 50 55.
Breakfast included
Cancellation: Free of charge up to 60 days before arrival
Tourist tax: €2.86 per person per night.
3-Star Apartment Hotels
- Odalys City Le Havre Centre Les Docks
95 Quai Colbert, 76600 Le Havre.
Price: €70 per night (until 01/07/2026).
Booking via email centrelesdocks@odalys.fr or by phone (+33) 2 32 73 95 53, mentioning “IMLA” in your message.
Cancellation: Free of charge up to 30 days before arrival
Breakfast: €17 per day / per person
Tourist tax: €1.87 per person per night.
- Odalys City Le Havre Centre
Cours Commandant Fratacci, 76600 Le Havre.
Price: €75 per night (until 01/07/2026).
Booking via email lehavrecentre@odalys.fr or by phone (+33) 2 32 73 73 73, mentioning “IMLA” in your message.
Cancellation: Free of charge up to 30 days before arrival
Breakfast: €17 per day / per person
Tourist tax: €2.86 per person per night.
How to reach Le Havre
By plane
Le Havre does not have a major international airport, so attendees should fly into Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Paris Orly (ORY). From CDG, you can reach Paris Saint-Lazare station by taking the RER B to Gare du Nord and then transferring to the RER E (station: Magenta). Direct coaches (Flixbus / BlaBlaCar Bus) also depart from Terminal 3 to Le Havre, with a journey time of approximately 3 hours 15 minutes. From ORY, the fastest and most convenient option is Metro Line 14, which runs directly from Orly Airport to Paris Saint-Lazare station in about 30 minutes.
By train
All trains to Le Havre depart from Paris Saint-Lazare station, with a journey time of between 2 hours 10 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes. Timetables and tickets are available on SNCF Connect. If you arrive in Paris at another station, convenient connections are available: from Gare du Nord (Eurostar/Thalys), take the RER E directly to Haussmann Saint-Lazare; from Gare de Lyon, take Metro Line 14 directly to Saint-Lazare (around 15 minutes); and from Gare Montparnasse, take Metro Line 13 directly to Saint-Lazare (around 20 minutes). ENSM campus is located about 700 metres from Le Havre train station, and the walk from the station to the campus takes approximately 10 minutes.
By ferry
Direct ferry links from the UK are available on the Portsmouth–Le Havre route, operated by Brittany Ferries. The ferry terminal is located about a 20‑minute walk or a short taxi ride from the conference venue.
Getting around Le Havre
Public transport (LiA Network)
Le Havre has a reliable tramway and bus network operated by LiA. Tram lines A and B connect the beach, the city centre and the train station. Tickets can be purchased at tram stops or via the LiA app, and a single ticket costs approximately €1.80. More information is available on the LiA website: www.transports-lia.fr
Taxis and ride-sharing
Taxis are available throughout the city, and ride‑sharing services such as Uber and Bolt also operate in Le Havre. A local taxi can be booked by calling Taxis Le Havre on +33 (0)2 35 25 81 81.
Other useful information
Le Havre Etretat Tourism Board:
www.lehavre-etretat-tourisme.com
Emergency number:
112 (European emergency number)
Currency:
Euro (€)