In 1988, the five major ship reporting companies in North Europe joined forces to form the INTERNATIONAL SHIP REPORTERS ASSOCIATION (ISRA). In 1999 Lloyd's Marine Intelligence Unit (formerly Lloyd’s of London Press) joined the group and in 2006 MISNA (Maritime Information Service of North America) became associated member.

These companies all have taken up strategic positions at the gateways of significant North European seaports, including Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Bremen, Zeebrugge, ... and through LMIU world wide.