ICMM brings maritime museum professionals together from all over the world for regular conferences, creating a strong network of maritime museums and people.

ICMM organises a week-long International Congress every other year, at maritime sites around the world. Lectures, workshops, discussions, and site visits cover a variety of issues of concern to maritime museums. Companionable after-hours sessions and excursions add to the strength of networking contacts formed at the conferences.

ICMM is a service provider for maritime museum professionals. ICMM provides a focal point of contact and professional help for museums large and small. ICMM offers technical assistance on ship and boat preservation; opportunities to exchange collections or staff; loan exhibitions; planning, research, educational programming, and public relations; and procurement of supplies for maritime preservation projects.

ICMM supports the flourishing international network of maritime museums with a website, newsletter and social media presence to inform members and the public of maritime museum events and developments worldwide.

ICMM is an ICOM-affiliated organisation and has the status to represent and support member museums in matters of common professional interest.

ICMM Full Member museums appoint their own Congress delegates, with no specific limit on the number of representatives an institution may send to a biennial Congress.

The ICMM Constitution is available in English and Dutch.