This one-day course provides a clear and practical introduction to the shipbuilding and newbuilding contract process. It covers the main standard forms used in ship construction projects, the scope of work under a shipbuilding contract and key elements such as technical specifications, drawings, class requirements, and change procedures. You will also learn about financial security arrangements, delay mechanisms including liquidated damages and force majeure, as well as sea trials, delivery and acceptance procedures. The programme further addresses post‑delivery obligations such as warranties and liability limitations and the available dispute resolution options, including arbitration. By the end of the day, participants will have a solid understanding of the contractual, legal and practical considerations involved in negotiating and managing newbuilding contracts.
Discounts
A 10% group discount is available for registering three or more participants from the same company.
Participants signing up to both the Offshore Construction Contracts Seminar on 1 June 2026 and Shipbuilding Contracts Seminar on 2 June 2026 will be able to benefit from a 10% discount (in addition to a group discount, if applicable). If you wish to sign up for both courses, please send an email to training@bimco.org and we will sign you up and ensure that you receive the applicable discount.
What will you learn?
Some of the topics the course will cover are:
- The nature and formation of Shipbuilding Contracts, including an introduction to the main standard forms (NEWBUILDCON, SAJ, AWES, SHIP2000, SHIP25)
- The scope of work under a shipbuilding contract, including technical specifications, drawings and drawing approval processes, hierarchy of documents, class requirements, design risk, modifications/ change orders, and buyer supplied items
- Financial security arrangements, including refund guarantees, parent company guarantees, and assignment to lenders
- Delay mechanisms, liquidated damages, permissible delays, force majeure, the prevention principle, and rights of rescission for excessive delay
- Sea trials, delivery and acceptance procedures, including deliverability standards, the effect of rejection, protocol of delivery and acceptance, and punch list items
- Post delivery considerations, including the nature and limitations of builder warranties, exclusions, and liability caps
- Applicable law and dispute resolution options, including standard arbitration provisions, technical vs. non technical arbitrations, and alternative dispute resolution
- Practical application through a case study
Why choose to participate?
This one day course demystifies the complexities of negotiating and managing shipbuilding and newbuilding contracts, providing participants with a clear, structured overview of the key standard forms, essential procedures and the critical legal and practical considerations involved throughout the contracting and construction process. By highlighting the most important elements relating to shipbuilding, the course enables attendees to manage projects and contractual risks with greater confidence and expertise.
You will be taught by hand picked industry experts with extensive experience in drafting, negotiating and troubleshooting shipbuilding contracts. They will share practical insights into issues such as refund guarantees, permissible delays and liquidated damages, change procedures, sea trials and post delivery warranties, helping you apply best practice solutions directly in your daily work.
The course also supports networking among international shipbuilding professionals, enabling participants to exchange operational experiences and build long term industry relationships.
The seminar is designed for all practitioners involved in shipbuilding projects whether from a legal, commercial, technical or project management background who wish to deepen their understanding of newbuilding contracts and strengthen their capabilities in navigating the entire process from contract formation to delivery and beyond.
How will this course help your professional development?
Understanding shipbuilding contracts is essential in a field where the financial stakes are high and disputes are common. A clear grasp of how risks and responsibilities are allocated helps prevent unnecessary disagreements.
This course will equip you to recognise key challenges early on and ask the right questions, enabling you to understand and explain your own risks and exposures.
By the end of the course, you will have a stronger understanding of the core issues in newbuilding projects, the flow of documentation and practical ways to mitigate risk – making you better prepared to navigate the process from contract formation to delivery.
Course materials
BIMCO issues electronic course files as a PDF file enabling you to make personal notes using a computer or tablet. Please bring a computer or tablet! All documentation and presentations will be in English.
Note
Lunch and coffee breaks are included in the course fee.
Accommodation and transportation are not included and must be arranged individually.
