SYNACOMEX 2000 is a grain voyage charter party. It was drafted by the French Union for Grain and Seeds Trade (Syndicat National du Commerce Extérieur des grains et graines oléagineuses – SYNACOMEX) and the Comité Central des Armateurs de France (French Shipowners’ association - CCAF), with the assistance of the Chambre Arbitrale Maritime de Paris (Maritime Arbitration Chamber of Paris - CAMP) and the Chambre Syndicale des Courtiers d’Affrètement Maritime et de Vente de Navires de France (the French Shipbrokers’ Association). It has been approved by BIMCO. The latest edition of this contract is SYNACOMEX 2000.
Sample copy of SYNACOMEX 2000
Download nowA comparison of SYNACOMEX 2000 and SYNACOMEX 90
The new A4 format and the BIMCO-style box layout lend themselves to the requirements of modern means of communication and the reproduction of documents. The boxes in Part I provide a convenient method for entering the form’s variable information, thereafter providing a useful summary of all the important terms - although additional clauses may be required to complete the agreed terms, as regards, for example, an extensive description of the ship.
The clauses in Part II may be amended to fit the negotiations concluded, which will be facilitated by the use of an electronic editing system such as BIMCO’s IDEA (Internet document editing application).
The drafting group responsible for the new revision has presented the following observations and comments on the more salient points of the revision:
The addition of “howsoever assessed” in the second paragraph broadens the basis of the taxes which may be levied on the ship at port and should avoid disputes about Quay dues or Wharfage levied on the ship but assessed from the quantity and nature of the cargo or, eventually, disputes about freight taxes also levied on the ship.
An anomaly has been removed from the second paragraph dealing with disputes: from now it will be “the party in the wrong” - i.e. the party that the surveyor contradicts about the readiness of the ship to load - which will bear the costs of the survey.
It is important to note that in the case of a fixture concerning one of the countries that adhere to the Hamburg Rules, many of whom are active in the grain trade, the Charterer should be aware that he runs the risk that the Owner may claim an indemnity from him for the loss or damage the Owner may have had to pay out to the bill of lading holder by virtue of the Hamburg Rules (which would not be the case under the Hague/Hague-Visby Rules - in consequence of a nautical error of the Master, as an example of the best known difference between both Conventions).
Such a risk is probably rare but cannot be ignored. That risk must be assumed knowingly or must be insured against if it cannot be negotiated with the Owner. Some owners may accept it after they have agreed, for instance, to carry a cargo destined to Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, or Tunisia, all signatories of the Hamburg Rules.
VOYWAR 1950 has been replaced by BIMCO’s VOYWAR 1993 which is better adapted to the nature of modern conflicts.
Otherwise the SYNACOMEX charter party has been updated with the new address of the Chambre Arbitrale Maritime de Paris (Clause 28) now refers to the York Antwerp Rules 1994 and any subsequent modification thereof.
Supplies of the SYNACOMEX 2000 Charter Party may be obtained via IDEA or from:
Syndicat National du Commerce Extérieur des Céréales
Bourse de Commerce
F-75040 Paris Cedex 01
France
The one-stop digital shop for all the standard maritime contracts and clauses you’ll ever need.
There is a new version of SmartCon and it combines the fast, simple and easy approach from the online version, together with the track changes and comments from Word. The editor is online based and you don't need to install anything, only requirement is that you have the latest version of a modern browser like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
Version 6.0, Date: 1 November 2023.
BIMCO’s Documentary Committee has approved a revised version of the Continent Grain Charter Party, SYNACOMEX, to reflect changes in the geopolitical landscape following events including the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The revised charter party now includes BIMCO’s anti-corruption clause and updated versions of the war risks and sanctions clauses.
BIMCO has published a revised and updated version GENCON 2022 - one of its flagship contracts within its portfolio of standard contracts for the maritime industry. The revisions reflect significant changes in the regulatory landscape since the contract was last updated.
In the event that you require IT security details.
BIMCO's Holiday Calendar covers general holidays in over 150 countries, plus local holidays and working hours in more than 680 ports around the world.
Access information on national, regional or port tariffs, taxes and charges.
For general guidance and information on cargo-related queries.