The 180 Seminar on Trade Wars and Geopolitics is designed to give participants an essential understanding of the current global trade landscape. The seminar will provide an up-to-date overview of the geopolitical situation and introduce the fundamental aspects and dynamics of trade wars and similar restrictions, including their commercial and practical implications for the maritime industry, key elements of relevant regulatory developments and potential application of related clauses.
Recently, the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) Notice of Actions to impose fees on Chinese related ships calling US ports and China's Special Port Fees on US Vessels have emerged as significant developments with major potential impact for the maritime industry. The seminar will introduce the USTR Notice and the Chinese countermeasures, their potential consequences for shipping stakeholders as well as the BIMCO USTR Clause for Time Charter Parties 2025 developed as a contractual response to the USTR Notice and ongoing work to develop a clause addressing the Chinese countermeasures.
Discounts
A 10% group discount is available for registering three or more participants from the same company.
What will you learn?
Day 1: Understanding Geopolitical and Regulatory Dynamics (90 minutes)
Introduction: The first day of the seminar will focus on understanding the broader geopolitical and regulatory dynamics that shape global trade. Participants will gain insights into the complexities of trade wars, including tariffs and other trade barriers, and how geopolitical shifts and regulatory developments influence global trade dynamics and impact on contractual arrangements in shipping.
Content Overview:
-
Introduction to the geopolitical and regulatory environment: Overview of the current global trade landscape and its complexities
-
Impact on global trade dynamics: How geopolitical shifts and regulatory changes reshape the maritime industry, influencing trade routes, market access and overall cost structures.
-
Chartering and cargo flow disruptions: Effects on traditional cargo patterns, including delays and cost increases and how risk is allocated between owners and charterers in volatile markets
-
Strategic planning and market adaptation: Strategies for navigating geopolitical shifts and adapting to new market conditions
-
Contractual provisions as a hedge against geopolitical risk and uncertainty, including war and war risks clauses, as well as force majeure
-
The extent and limits of the doctrine of frustration as a means to exit contractual arrangements
-
Q&A
Day 2: Understanding USTR, China's Special Port Fees on US Vessels and their Practical Applications (90 minutes)
Introduction: The second day of the seminar will focus on the USTR Notice, the Chinese Special Port Fees and their impact on the maritime industry. The session will cover the status and key elements of the USTR Notice and Chinese Special Port Fees, strategic planning and market adaptation, and contingency plans. Participants will also be introduced to the BIMCO USTR Clause for Time Charter Parties 2025 and its application in charter parties, implications of the USTR for ship management contracts, the potential consequences of not using the BIMCO USTR Clauses and work to develop a clause addressing the Chinese Special Port Fees.
Content Overview:
- Understanding the USTR Notice and the Chinese Special Port Fees and their impact on the maritime industry
- Status and key elements of the USTR Notice, including Annexes I and II, and of the Chinese Special Port Fees
- Strategic planning and market adaptation, including potential diversification in response to geopolitical shifts
- Contingency plans, including possible use of contractual clauses, scenario planning and legal and operational readiness for sudden regulatory changes
- BIMCO USTR Clause for Time Charter Parties 2025, including key features and objectives, and its application in charter parties
- Work to develop a BIMCO clause addressing the Chinese Special Port Fees
- Implications of USTR and the Chinese Special Port Fees for ship management contracts and need for additional contractual measures
- Potential consequences of not using the BIMCO USTR Clause and upcoming clause addressing the Chinese Special Port Fees or similar clauses
- Q&A
Starting time (for both sessions 1 and 2)
14:00 UTC
15:00 CET
Why choose to participate?
Participating in the Trade Wars and Geopolitics 180 Seminar offers a unique opportunity to obtain a better understanding of the current global trade landscape and navigate the commercial and contractual complexities resulting from geopolitical developments. Given the current geopolitical and regulatory environment, understanding the implications of trade wars and the need for strategic planning is crucial. By taking part in this course, you will gain practical guidance for mitigating risks and adapting to geopolitical shifts in your day-to-day operations.
Understanding the implications of the USTR Notice of Actions to impose fees on Chinese related ships calling us ports as well as the Chinese countermeasures and the need to consider contractual solutions is crucial. The course is designed to enhance your understanding of the USTR Notice and the Chinese Special Port Fees, and you will gain an essential understanding of how these measures can impact shipping operations, from operational adjustments to contractual obligations.
How will this course help your professional development?
By participating in this course, you will gain an overview of the current global trade landscape, with particular focus on trade wars and geopolitical developments and their consequences for the maritime industry. A particular focus of the seminar will be the recent USTR Notice of Actions to impose fees on Chinese related ships calling us ports and Chinese countermeasures, the resulting need for contingency planning and potential contractual solutions such as the BIMCO USTR Clause for Time Charter Parties 2025 and the upcoming clause addressing the Chinese Special Port Fees.
The course will enhance your ability to plan strategically and adapt to new market conditions resulting from geopolitical shifts and regulatory developments by developing and implementing compliance strategies within your organisation and safeguard contracts using provisions such as the BIMCO USTR Clause and the upcoming clause addressing the Chinese Special Port Fees. Additionally, the course will address the potential consequences of not using the BIMCO Clauses or similar clauses, highlighting the risks and challenges that may arise.
By attending this seminar, you will be better prepared to respond to geopolitical developments, improve your decision-making processes and contribute to the integrity of your company and the broader maritime transport chain.
Course materials
BIMCO issues electronic course files as an Adobe PDF file enabling you to make personal notes. All documentation and presentations will be in English. Course access details will be provided a week before the course start date if the registration is completed.
