This BIMCO 180 course is designed for staff new to the shipping industry and professionals working within national or international maritime administrations who would like to gain a better understanding of the maritime regulatory framework and how it interacts with the commercial and practical realities of the shipping industry.
The course provides an essential foundation in understanding the key regulatory frameworks that govern international shipping and their practical implications on the shipping industry. Participants will explore the most important maritime conventions and regulations that directly impact the operation and chartering of vessels engaged in global trade. With a focus on compliance and practical application, this course will equip attendees with the knowledge required to navigate the complex landscape of international maritime law, ensuring they are well-prepared to manage the rules and regulations that govern the maritime sector.
Day 1: Overview of Key Maritime Conventions and instruments (90 minutes)
Regulatory Bodies and Enforcement: Who makes regulations in the maritime field?
- Overview of IMO, ILO and other regulatory bodies and their roles in developing maritime rules and regulations.
- The role of flag states, Port State Control (PSC) and Classification Societies in enforcing maritime rules and regulations
- National legislators - national legislation concerning harbours, docks, piers and pilotage. Autonomous shipping - e.g. Maritime and Coastguard Agency in the UK
- Safety Regulations:
SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea)
STCW (International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers)
International Convention on Load Lines (LL Convention)
International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships (ITC)
Environmental Regulations:
- MARPOL 73/78 (Marine Pollution) Annexes I - VI
- International Convention on Ballast Water Management (BWM Convention)
- Civil Liability Convention
- BUNKERS Convention
- Hong Kong Convention on Ship Recycling
- FuelEU Maritime
- EU ETS regime
Labour Standards:
- MLC (Maritime Labour Convention)
Cargo and Other Commercial Conventions
- Hague/Hague-Visby Rules
- Hamburg Rules
- Rotterdam Rules
- Limitation of Liability (Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims (LLMC) 1976)
- Salvage Convention 1989
Understanding Compliance:
- What does compliance mean in the context of shipping? Why is it important that shipping companies and maritime administrations understand the commercial interplay between the conventions and commercial shipping contracts?
Day 2: Practical Implications of Shipping Regulations on Operations (90 minutes)
Impact on commercial operations:
- A global industry requires global rules. Individual legal regimes that are not aligned can create inconsistencies and complications in commercial operations.
Legal and Financial Risks:
- Potential liabilities arising from non-compliance with SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC and other conventions.
- Importance of uniform, practical and cost-effective implementation of conventions in national legal systems with fair and realistic notice periods.
Translating shipping regulation into a commercial context:
- How is shipping impacted commercially when the regulatory framework changes over time?
- What happens if the contractual parties do not take steps to include contractual solutions in their contracts?
- Why the difference between labour, safety and environmental regulations’ influence on the contractual approach
- The role of P&I Clubs
Drafting contractual solutions, enforcement and dispute resolution
- Translating compliance requirements into a commercial context
- Drafting standard contracts and clauses and how this helps the shipping industry navigate by reducing negotiation time and avoiding disputes
- The difference between enforcement of regulations and contractual dispute resolution
Starting time (for both session 1 and 2)
14:00 UTC
15:00 CET
See the time in your local time zone.
Why choose to participate?
This 180 course is an invaluable opportunity for those employed in the shipping industry and within maritime administrations to understand the interplay between the regulatory frameworks that shape the global shipping landscape and the practical shipping world. Participants will gain valuable knowledge of key maritime conventions such as SOLAS, MARPOL, and the MLC and how these regulations and other relevant rules impacting the shipping industry affect the operation and chartering of vessels engaged in international trade. This course equips attendees with practical knowledge on ensuring compliance with these rules and regulations and their direct impact on commercial shipping contracts. It provides insight into the commercial interplay between regulatory obligations and operational needs, helping participants understand how to mitigate legal and financial risks through effective risk management and strategic contract drafting.
How will this course help your professional development?
The BIMCO 180 seminars are an efficient and focused way to enhance your professional development in just two short sessions of 90 minutes each. Despite the condensed format, you will gain a solid understanding of key maritime rules and regulations that directly impact global shipping operations. Through these sessions, you will learn how shipping companies manage compliance with conventions like SOLAS, MARPOL, and the MLC, and how these regulations influence commercial shipping contracts. You will also gain insights into mitigating legal and financial risks and drafting contracts that ensure regulatory adherence. This compact course offers immediate, practical value by equipping you with the tools to navigate the complexities of international maritime law, operational efficiency and compliance, all in a time-efficient format perfect for busy professionals.