05 February 2020
In response to a rising number of enquiries from members, BIMCO is constantly updating its website with contractual and practical advice regarding the outbreak of the Coronavirus, which has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). Please find our designated content page here.
29 March 2017
Some advice in respect of the new wood pellet entries in the IMSBC Code, Amendment 03-15 (2016 Edition) based on a recent enquiry from a member.
23 February 2018
As an additional aide to the advice promulgated on 9 February 2018, BIMCO urges all members to note the guidance and advice contained in the following security notice for ships operating in the Gulf of Guinea region.
29 March 2019
Shipowners have a role to play, and responsibility to take, in the transitional period before the Hong Kong Convention enters into force. In this context BIMCO recommends to its members to use facilities that live up to requirements of the Hong Kong Convention already before its entry into force.
23 May 2019
These Q&As have been produced jointly by INTERTANKO and BIMCO with the assistance of the North of England P&I Club. They focus on the potential contractual issues that parties should be aware of when chartering scrubber-fitted ships. The objective is to highlight and address the relevant clauses and concepts charterers and owners should take into consideration during their negotiations.
Much has been written about the introduction of the ‘Global Sulphur Cap’ of 0.50% m/m (mass for mass) for fuel oil under MARPOL Annex VI which comes into force on 1 January 2020; also the 0.10% m/m sulphur limit within emission control areas. Many owners have also already chosen their route to MARPOL Annex VI Regulations 14.1, 14.3 and 18 compliance which can be achieved in one of two ways:
By using fuel oil with a sulphur content that does not exceed 0.50% m/m, or 0.10% m/m while the ship is operating (‘low sulphur fuel oil’).
By using ‘equivalents’ which are alternative methods that are at least as effective in terms of emission reductions as using low sulphur fuel oil. ‘Equivalents’ includes the installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems, or ‘scrubber(s)’. See MARPOL Annex VI Regulation 4 and the 2015 Guidelines for exhaust gas cleaning systems, adopted by resolution MEPC.259(68) (currently under review). Fuel oil cleaned by scrubbers will have a sulphur content above 0.50% m/m (‘high sulphur fuel oil’).
Both BIMCO and INTERTANKO are neutral as to which option should be chosen. It is up to each individual owner to decide which option is best for their ship’s operation after conducting a proper assessment of the pros and cons of each option including safety and operational issues, price differentials between low and high sulphur fuel oil, fuel availability, capital investment, payback time, trading patterns and charter rates. International, regional and national regulatory requirements may also play a part in this decision.
However, both Associations have been faced with a series of questions from Members who have fitted or are contemplating fitting scrubbers concerning how the use of a scrubber may impact on their contractual arrangements. These questions on both time and voyage chartering issues form the basis of the Q&A section below. They do not address questions relating to the technical and operational impact of installing a scrubber. Such information is available from numerous online sources.
Both Associations have decided, for the time being at least, not to develop a “standard” scrubber clause for time or voyage charter parties. The decision to install and operate a scrubber is seen primarily as a matter of commercial negotiation between owners and charterers relating to the division of costs and benefits. The need for a clause will, however, be kept under regular review.
We suggest that you consider the recommendations in this document to assess the need for a bespoke scrubber clause and/or any amendments to existing charter party terms. You may need to seek independent legal advice on a case-by-case basis to suit your particular chartering arrangements and trading patterns.
This document will be updated to include any new Q&As which will affect the contractual issues for scrubber-fitted ships.
BIMCO and INTERTANKO - 23rd May 2019
16 September 2019
Safety at Sea and BIMCO have published a white paper containing advice based on results and findings from Cyber Security Surveys produced over the last four years, as well as on feedback and knowledge from experts at roundtable events.
21 January 2020
After the killing of General Qassem Soleimani by a US drone in early January 2020, and the following retaliation by Iran, BIMCO is publishing its view of the escalated tension in the Persian Gulf, as well as advice regarding the new sanctions clauses, and encourages owners, operators and charterers to follow the operational and contractual guidance set out in this article.
08 October 2015
Organisations representing the global shipping and oil industry have announced that the size of the ‘High Risk Area’ for piracy in the Indian Ocean has been reduced and issued new advice to merchant ship operators.
03 April 2019
On 6 April 2019, the maritime GPS-SPS system will undergo a week counter roll over which may affect some GPS receivers.
20 November 2017
Information about the plague outbreak in Madagascar and any advice needed.
