The first International Congress on Marine Corrosion and Fouling (ICMCF) was held in France in 1964. Up until 2002 (San Diego meeting) the Congress was held every 3 to 4 years, but the pace of change in this field has warranted more frequent meetings (every 2 years).

The previous 17th Congress was held in Singapore. Since its inception the Congress has become the foremost international scientific conference on fouling and corrosion of materials in the sea, and brings together scientists and technologists from academia, industry, defense and other government organizations to present and discuss recent scientific developments in understanding and combating the fouling and corrosion of materials, structures and the performance of vessels in the marine environment.

Like its predecessors, this 18th ICMCF is being convened on behalf of the Comité International Permanent pour la Recherche sur la Préservation des Matériaux en Milieu Marin (COIPM).