For the first time the conference of the International Association of Maritime Economist (IAME) was be hosted in Italy and it was taken place at the Istituto Universitario Navale of Naples on 13-15 September 2000.

The conference is organised jointly by the Naples Research Institute on Service Activities (IRAT) of the National Research Council (CNR) and the Centre for International Transport Management of the London Guildhall University (UK).

The main aim of the conference has been to further the dialogue between industry and academia. It has contributed to have an exchange of business practice and the most recent research developments on some issues which seem to be crucial to the industry.

The event, attracted  a number of researchers, academics, consultants and industrialists from all over the world.