Voyage Charters Masterclass

Voyage chartering stands as a fundamental aspect of commercial shipping operations. With its contractual arrangements and complex logistical considerations, voyage chartering plays a pivotal role in facilitating the movement of goods worldwide. This is reflected in the wide range of voyage charter parties and stand-alone clauses produced by BIMCO for all aspects of shipping. The BIMCO Voyage Chartering Masterclass is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, practices, and challenges inherent in voyage chartering. Over the course of just two days, we will cover a wide range of aspects, both for the dry and wet side of the business. What we also aim to provide is a valuable networking platform for participants to connect and exchange ideas. To facilitate this, we will use group case studies to help participants gain a deeper understanding of how disputes and claims can be argued and resolved.

Time Charters Masterclass

The BIMCO Masterclass is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the principles of time chartering. The course will use case studies as the primary learning tool to allow you to develop a knowledge of the practical aspects of time chartering and its application in the daily operation of vessels. On the first day, we will begin with a general introduction to the practical aspects of time chartering seen from both the perspective of the owners and charterers. We will discuss how to identify and negotiate the best terms for a particular charter, and how to create and manage the charter party before and during the fixture. This part of the course will also cover disputes related to various daily issues, including seaworthiness and the obligation to issue and comply with voyage and employment orders. One of the key areas of dispute is the description of the vessel. The charter party will include a description of the vessel, and if the vessel does not meet these specifications, the charterer may claim damages from the owner. Another area of dispute is performance claims. The charter party will typically include provisions relating to the vessel's performance, such as speed and fuel consumption. If the vessel fails to meet these performance targets, the charterer may claim damages from the owner. Finally, we will discuss the disputes concerning the duration of the charter, especially in relation to redelivery, where disputes and discussions often occur concerning the vessel's last voyage. On the second day, we will look at common disputes related to the payment of hire. These include failure to meet the pre-agreed terms and conditions, unexpected delays or cancellations, failure to pay hire on time, disagreements over the amount of hire due, and failure to comply with any of the charter party terms and conditions on payments. All time charter parties contain an off-hire clause providing exceptions from the strict obligation for charterers to pay hire from delivery until redelivery. The specific terms of the off-hire clause will determine whether any particular event entitles the charterers to place the ship off-hire, and for how long. The course will conclude with a review of all the topics covered as a case study, enabling you to consolidate your understanding of the principles, practical aspects, and legal framework of a time chartering agreement.

Time Charters Masterclass

The BIMCO Masterclass is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the principles of time chartering. The course will utilise case studies as the primary learning tool to allow you to develop a knowledge of the practical aspects of time chartering and its application in the daily operation of vessels. On the first day, we will begin with a general introduction to the practical aspects of time chartering seen from both the perspective of the owners and charterers. We will discuss how to identify and negotiate the best terms for a particular charter, and how to create and manage the charter party before and during the fixture. This part of the course will also cover disputes related to various daily issues, including seaworthiness and the obligation to issue and comply with voyage and employment orders. One of the key areas of dispute is the description of the vessel. The charter party will include a description of the vessel, and if the vessel does not meet these specifications, the charterer may claim damages from the owner. Another area of dispute is performance claims. The charter party will typically include provisions relating to the vessel's performance, such as speed and fuel consumption. If the vessel fails to meet these performance targets, the charterer may claim damages from the owner. Finally, we will discuss the disputes concerning the duration of the charter, especially in relation to redelivery, where disputes and discussions often occur concerning the vessel's last voyage. On day 2, we will look at common disputes related to the payment of hire. These include failure to meet the pre-agreed terms and conditions, unexpected delays or cancellations, failure to pay hire on time, disagreements over the amount of hire due, and failure to comply with any of the charter party terms and conditions on payments. All time charter parties contain an off-hire clause providing exceptions from the strict obligation for charterers to pay hire from delivery until redelivery. The specific terms of the off-hire clause will determine whether any particular event entitles the charterers to place the ship off-hire, and for how long. The course will conclude with a review of all the topics covered as a case study, enabling you to consolidate your understanding of the principles, practical aspects, and legal framework of a time chartering agreement.

How changes to Ukrainian holidays could cause laytime disputes

With effect from 1 September 2023, Ukraine has adopted the Revised Julian calendar for religious purposes. This new calendar changes the dates of orthodox religious holidays, notably Christmas. This will have an impact on laytime.

Time Charters Masterclass

The BIMCO Masterclass is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the principles of time chartering. The course will use case studies as the primary learning tool to allow you to develop a knowledge of the practical aspects of time chartering and its application in the daily operation of vessels. On the first day, we will begin with a general introduction to the practical aspects of time chartering seen from both the perspective of the owners and charterers. We will discuss how to identify and negotiate the best terms for a particular charter, and how to create and manage the charter party before and during the fixture. This part of the course will also cover disputes related to various daily issues, including seaworthiness and the obligation to issue and comply with voyage and employment orders. One of the key areas of dispute is the description of the vessel. The charter party will include a description of the vessel, and if the vessel does not meet these specifications, the charterer may claim damages from the owner. Another area of dispute is performance claims. The charter party will typically include provisions relating to the vessel's performance, such as speed and fuel consumption. If the vessel fails to meet these performance targets, the charterer may claim damages from the owner. Finally, we will discuss the disputes concerning the duration of the charter, especially in relation to redelivery, where disputes and discussions often occur concerning the vessel's last voyage. On the second day, we will look at common disputes related to the payment of hire. These include failure to meet the pre-agreed terms and conditions, unexpected delays or cancellations, failure to pay hire on time, disagreements over the amount of hire due, and failure to comply with any of the charter party terms and conditions on payments. All time charter parties contain an off-hire clause providing exceptions from the strict obligation for charterers to pay hire from delivery until redelivery. The specific terms of the off-hire clause will determine whether any particular event entitles the charterers to place the ship off-hire, and for how long. The course will conclude with a review of all the topics covered as a case study, enabling you to consolidate your understanding of the principles, practical aspects, and legal framework of a time chartering agreement.

Safety Warranty Prevails: US Supreme Court Rules that Owners can Rely on Absolute Warranty in Frequently Used Safe Berth Clauses

BIMCO, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO welcome the ruling by the highest court in the United States on 30 March 2020 concluding that the plain meaning of the safe-berth clause in the Athos I dispute includes an unambiguous warranty of safety.

Explanatory notes

New BIMCO Law & Arbitration clause will clarify arbitration processes

If a contractual dispute escalates and one of the parties want to involve arbitrators, it is essential that notices of commencement of proceedings and the appointment of arbitrators are properly served to the right people. BIMCO’s new Law & Arbitration Clause will address these issues with a provision requiring parties to a contract to clearly identify who are authorised to receive arbitration notices and communication.

Cathal Leigh-Doyle

Cathal is a managing associate at Stephenson Harwood LLP. An international dispute resolution lawyer with a broad range of contentious experience especially within the energy and natural resources sectors. Cathal advises a range of industry leaders on disputes in the English courts and international arbitration. Cathal also frequently assists clients on non-contentious matters in relation to negotiating and drafting contractual documentation on high value, international and complicated projects.

Jean Koh

Jean is a partner at HFW in London and specialises in shipping litigation, focusing on contractual shipping disputes including charter parties, bills of lading, cargo claims, commodities/trade disputes, ship sale and purchase disputes, bunker disputes and shipbuilding disputes. She represents owners, charterers, shipyards and their insurers based internationally but has a geographical focus on the Japanese market, having worked in Tokyo for 6 months there. On the casualty side, Jean also handles wet shipping disputes, in particular fire and explosions on container vessels due to undeclared dangerous cargoes and/or engine explosions, groundings on reef, unsafe port disputes, crane collapses, damage caused by sulphur cargo, liquefaction of cargo and general average incidents. Jean has worked at the HFW in Shanghai and Pireaus.