Bulk Shipping Quality Clause for Voyage Charter Parties 2000

In November 1998, BIMCO was approached by the European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA) to discuss the possibility of developing a Recommended Quality Clause that would encourage the practical implementation of the European Shippers Council (ESC) “Voluntary Code of Best Practice”. The ESC’s Code was published as a self-regulatory measure in support of the European Community’s Quality Shipping Campaign. In recognition of BIMCO’s role as the shipping industry’s lead organisation in the development of standard clauses, ECSA and ESC felt that BIMCO was the most appropriate body to produce such a clause. As a signatory of the Maritime Industry Charter on Quality, BIMCO was keen to demonstrate its support for the initiative to promote a quality culture throughout the industry by all participants. Of paramount importance to BIMCO was to ensure that by developing a Standard Quality Clause for the industry, the risk of a proliferation of charterer-inspired quality-related clauses was kept to a minimum.

New bunker terms now available for use

The new BIMCO Bunker Terms 2018 that were approved by the Documentary Committee last week in New York have now been published. Sample copies of the BIMCO Bunker Terms 2018 together with comprehensive explanatory notes are available from BIMCO’s website. Secure and authenticated Word copies are available from BIMCO’s contract editing systems IDEA and SmartCon.

Help BIMCO and EPA catch bad bunker suppliers

Based on a request from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), BIMCO is doing a so-called “Bad Bunker Survey”. We ask members for their experiences and data with bad bunkers in order to collect data for EPA to potentially be used as evidence in cases against bad bunker suppliers.

Supplier boost for cross-industry bunker contract project

The team of cross-industry bunker experts tasked with reviewing BIMCO’s standard bunker contract has been expanded to include a major physical bunker supplier.

IBIA and BIMCO survey confirms a desire for bunker supplier licensing schemes

The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), with support from BIMCO, launched an extensive online survey in February 2022 to identify to which extent the maritime industry stakeholders believe there is a need for a wider adoption of bunker licensing schemes, mass flow metering (MFM) and transparency to improve market conditions. The answer – for the most part – is yes.

Cross industry group sets new standard with revised bunker contract

BIMCO’s Documentary Committee approved a new set of standard bunker terms, developed by a cross-industry group, in New York on 2 May. The BIMCO Bunker Terms 2018 improve on the previous edition with a maximum limit of the parties’ liabilities – a key change that will lead to wider adoption of the contract.

eBook explanatory notes for BIMCO Bunker Terms 2018

This eBook includes a sample copy of the BIMCO Bunker Terms 2018 contract and the related explanatory notes in the latest version.

P. & I. Bunker Deviation Clause, 1948

Cross industry group sets new standard with revised bunker contract

BIMCO’s Documentary Committee approved a new set of standard bunker terms, developed by a cross-industry group, in New York on 2 May. The BIMCO Bunker Terms 2018 improve on the previous edition with a maximum limit of the parties’ liabilities – a key change that will lead to wider adoption of the contract.

BIMCO’s analysis shows significant geographical differences when it comes to VLSFO sulphur compliance and ISO 8217 quality problems

BIMCO, together with the other industry organisations, acquired data on all commercial fuel samples tested by Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) during 2020. This VPS data clearly shows the geographical differences between the standard of the fuels delivered to ships. Europe and the US seem to have the poorest performance. This is both in relation to sulphur compliance which may lead to increased air pollution, and ISO 8217 quality parameters, which may impact the safety of ships. BIMCO is providing IMO with data on very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) sulphur compliance and ISO 8217 fuel quality problems. The submissions include an invitation to countries to consider implementing and enforcing a licensing scheme for bunker suppliers operating within their jurisdiction. Such a measure should help combat the high level of problems in some of the poorer performing geographical regions.