Update on relevant high priority items from SSE 10

The 10th session of the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE 10) was held from 4 March to 8 March 2024 at the IMO. SSE works under the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) and considers technical and operational matters about: Systems and equipment including machinery and electrical installations Fire protection and life-saving appliances. The following are some of the important updates which are of relevance to BIMCO members.

Sanctions Clause for Contracts of Affreightment (GENCOA) 2022

The sanctions landscape has grown increasingly complex. International sanctions regimes are constantly changing with new restrictions being added and new persons and entities being listed. A violation of sanctions restrictions can have severe consequences and in the worst cases can lead to parties being listed as sanctioned parties. Therefore, carefully worded sanctions clauses in contracts of affreightment are vital for internationally trading companies to help them manage and mitigate their sanctions risk and to enable them to continue to do business while remaining compliant with the various sanctions regimes.

War Risks Clause for Time Chartering 2013 (CONWARTIME 2013)

War Risks Clause for Voyage Chartering 2013 (VOYWAR 2013)

Sanctions Clause for Voyage Charter Parties 2020

The sanctions landscape has grown increasingly complex since BIMCO published its Sanctions Clause for Time Charter Parties in 2010 and the Designated Entities Clause for Charter Parties in 2013. International sanctions regimes are constantly changing with new restrictions being added and new persons and entities being listed. A violation of sanctions restrictions can have severe consequences and in the worst cases can lead to parties being listed as sanctioned parties. Therefore, carefully worded sanctions clauses in charter parties and other contracts are vital for internationally trading companies to help them manage and mitigate their sanctions risk and to enable them to continue to do business while remaining compliant with the various sanctions regimes. The absence of a standard BIMCO sanctions clause for voyage charter parties has resulted in owners and charterers amending the BIMCO Sanctions Clause for Time Charter Parties or drafting bespoke clauses. BIMCO has therefore developed this sanctions clause for use in voyage charter parties so that there is an industry standard clause. It is intended to provide a balanced allocation of the risks posed by sanctions as between owners and charterers. This clause is intended for use in all trades except for container trades. A separate sanctions clause for the container trades is under development. This clause was published on 19 December 2019. It is a sanctions clause that also covers issues related to designated entities previously found in BIMCO’s Designated Entities Clause for Charter Parties 2013. This new sanctions clause should be used instead of the old Designated Entities Clause.

War Cancellation Clause 2004

Sri Lanka, Galle - Customs

The Glossary of Climate Change Definitions referenced on the new IMO-backed website

BIMCO's Glossary of Climate Change Definitions is now featured on the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) new website, developed for the “Future Fuels and Technology for Low- and Zero- Carbon Shipping Project'” The glossary, developed with BIMCO’s partners, provides clear, concise definitions of key climate change terms and concepts aiming to facilitate clear communication and informed decision-making in relation to shipping.

Closing brief PPR 4

The fourth session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 4) met in London from 16 to 20 January 2017. This report gives a brief overview of most important items, which were debated.

Revised emergency response procedures for ships carrying dangerous goods

Revised emergency response procedures for ships carrying dangerous goods was one of the many items discussed at IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 99). Autonomous ships, security and adoption of amendments to mandatory instruments were also on the agenda.