Our regulatory work

BIMCO’s regulatory work provides the basis for developing transparent and non-discriminatory standards for the shipping industry - a level playing field.

We provide expert advice in the pursuit of feasible and practicable solutions that support the achievement of internationally agreed goals - such as the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships and the broader UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

The practical voice

Representing shipping interests across the regulatory spectrum is an important benefit for our members and of value to the industry more broadly.

BIMCO specialists monitor and actively contribute to the complex discussions within all relevant international policy-making forums, representing our members’ interests and our policy position statements.

Our contributions to relevant bodies (such as the International Maritime Organization and the European Union) provide policymakers with information to help ensure that resulting regulation is fair, effective and practically implementable.

We use our specialist knowledge of the regulatory landscape to support and feed into our contractual work as well as provide our members with updates, explanations and training courses about regulatory matters and developments.

BIMCO’s Maritime Safety and Security Committee and Marine Environment Committee play a vital role in overseeing the regulatory work programme. These member-led committees ensure topics are prioritised and policy positions represent member interests.

Industry expertise

Knowledge and expertise within BIMCO's membership is utilised to contribute to the formulation of regulations, guidelines, and standards that enhance the safety, security, and efficiency of ships throughout their life cycle and which also protect the environment.

The expertise of our members is gathered through networks, taskforces and panels but at the heart of our regulatory work are our Maritime Safety and Security Committee (MSSC) and our Marine Environment Committee (MEC) who direct our work in this area.

Our regulatory work takes place across the United Nations and it’s associated bodies agencies – in particular the International Maritime Organization (IMO). And we also work with European Institutions and other intergovernmental organisations who govern ships, trade and broader use of the sea and who influence industry practices.

Our focus is on understanding regulatory priorities on a regional and global scale, the current and future policy-making landscape, the processes and triggers for new regulation, and identifying where and how we can make a difference. Our fundamental goal is to ensure that any new international agreements do not compromise relevant existing legal instruments and frameworks, especially those under the IMO.

Intergovernmental engagement

Ocean governance is extremely complex. Shipping operates in a framework determined by both national and international priorities. Currently, the ocean and shipping face challenges that need collaboration across multiple government entities, non-governmental organisations, and industries.

Intergovernmental engagement is pivotal in addressing these complex issues that span national interests, regional boundaries, and sectors.

Working on behalf of our members we engage with nearly 45 intergovernmental organisations (IGOs), with over 50 international conventions under the auspices of these organisations.

Additionally, there are more than 50 regional seas organisations and at least as many multilateral environmental agreements that influence how the ocean, and its resources are used or conserved. Relationships with other industry associations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations also form a significant part of our regulatory affairs work.

A level playing for shipping is impossible without work to develop capacity in least developing countries and small island developing states. At BIMCO we are proud to be a strategic partner to many of the Glo-X projects under the purview of the IMO.

Glossary of Climate Change Definitions

Helping to clarify and harmonise definitions and terminology around climate change and potential solutions for the shipping industry.

Glossary of Climate Change Definitions