180 Seminar on managing contract disruption in shipping – force majeure, frustration and practical response strategies
The 180 Seminar on managing contract disruption in shipping will provide an overview of the commercial, legal and contractual principles relevant to disruption events in connection with voyage and time chartering which are essential aspects for safeguarding contractual relationships in today’s volatile geopolitical climate. With increasing risks of sudden disruptions – such as armed conflicts, sanctions, pandemics, and supply chain interruptions – understanding these principles is crucial for parties to anticipate, manage and mitigate the impact of unforeseen events that may lead to the cancellation, suspension or frustration of contracts.
The seminar will cover key concepts and response strategies for managing contract disruption in shipping, including the definition and scope of force majeure and frustration. This will include an overview of the commercial, legal and contractual implications of disruption events, their scope in relation to charter parties and the connection with the underlying commodity sales contract. Common examples of disruption that may arise in connection with chartering, such as natural disasters, war, strikes, etc. will be introduced and it will be discussed how and to what extent parties can protect themselves from the effects of force majeure, frustration and other disruptive events through contractual provisions.
Participants will gain practical advice on how to deal with contract disruption events, including strategies for minimising losses or damages caused by these events. This will be linked with case studies and examples to illustrate how courts have interpreted the legal principles of force majeure and frustration in connection with chartering and how this can be used to support both contractual decision-making and commercial response strategies in advance of a potential event.
Discounts
10% group discount is available for registering 3 or more participants from the same company.
What will you learn?
Day 1: Commercial and legal foundations for managing disruption risk (90 minutes)
- Understand how force majeure and frustration can affect contractual performance, commercial exposure and risk allocation under voyage and time charter parties
- Identify the key differences between force majeure and frustration, and when each concept may become relevant in a chartering context
- Assess how disruption events may affect parties’ rights, obligations and available response options under charter parties
- Examine how force majeure and frustration issues in chartering may interact with the underlying commodity sale contract and wider trading chain
- Explore common disruption scenarios, including war, sanctions, strikes, pandemics and natural disasters, and the commercial questions they raise for owners, charterers and traders
Day 2: Applying the BIMCO Force Majeure Clause in practice (90 minutes)
- Understand how the BIMCO Force Majeure Clause operates in practice and how it can be used as a contractual tool to manage disruption risk
- Consider when parties may be entitled to rely on the clause, and what commercial and legal consequences may follow from doing so
- Assess the importance of notices, evidence and supporting documentation when seeking to establish a force majeure position
- Review case studies and recent examples of disruption events affecting charter performance, including sanctions, geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruption and the aftermath of COVID-19
- Identify practical strategies for reducing contractual exposure, supporting commercial decision-making and avoiding unnecessary disputes when disruption events arise
Starting time (for both sessions 1 and 2)
14:00 UTC
15:00 CET
See the time in your local time zone.
Why Choose to Participate?
The 180 Seminar on managing contract disruption in shipping offers maritime professionals a focused and practical introduction to the commercial and legal issues that arise when disruptive events affect contractual performance. The seminar provides a structured framework for understanding how force majeure, frustration and contractual drafting can shape parties’ rights, obligations and commercial options.
Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how disruption events such as war, sanctions, strikes, pandemics and supply chain interruptions may affect voyage and time charter parties, and how these issues may interact with the underlying sale contract and wider trading chain. The seminar will also examine how the BIMCO Force Majeure Clause may be used in practice, what parties should consider before relying on it, and how to approach notices, evidence and response strategies when disruption occurs.
Designed for professionals involved in chartering, trading and contract management, the seminar will help attendees strengthen their ability to anticipate disruption risk, assess contractual exposure and respond more confidently to rapidly changing circumstances. By combining legal principles with practical commercial insights, it supports better decision-making, improved contractual preparedness and a more resilient approach to managing uncertainty in the shipping industry.
How Will This Course Help Your Professional Development?
The 180 Seminar on managing contract disruption in shipping is a valuable investment in strengthening your professional understanding of the commercial and legal issues that arise when disruptive events affect contractual performance. By attending, you will deepen your knowledge of force majeure, frustration and contractual risk allocation in voyage and time chartering, and gain practical insight into how these issues can influence rights, obligations and response options in a rapidly changing operating environment.
The seminar will strengthen your ability to assess disruption risk, make more informed contractual decisions and respond more effectively when performance is affected by events such as war, sanctions, strikes, pandemics or supply chain disruption. A stronger understanding of the BIMCO Force Majeure Clause and the surrounding legal and commercial considerations will enhance your ability to support your organisation with greater confidence, credibility and commercial awareness.
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.
