Baltic and International Maritime Council

BIMCO is one of the largest of the international shipping associations representing shipowners.[1][2] BIMCO states that its membership represents approximately 60 percent of the world's merchant shipping tonnage and that it has members in more than 130 countries, including managers, brokers and agents.[3] BIMCO states that its primary objective is to protect its global membership through the provision of information and advice, while promoting fair business practices and facilitating harmonisation and standardisation of commercial shipping practices and contracts.[4]

BIMCO Headquarters seen from its entrance at 2880 Bagsværd near Copenhagen, Denmark

BIMCO's headquarters is in Bagsværd, a suburb of Copenhagen, Denmark.[2] The current President is Nikolaus H. Schües, who took over as the 46th President of BIMCO in May 2023. The current Secretary General and CEO is David Loosley, who was previously CEO at IMarEST.[5]

To support the development and refinement of maritime regulations, BIMCO is accredited as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) with all relevant United Nations organs, specifically the International Maritime Organization. In an effort to promote its agenda and objectives, the association maintains a close dialogue with governments and diplomatic representations around the world, including maritime administrations, regulatory institutions, and other stakeholders within the areas of EU, the United States, and Asia. BIMCO also conducts various training programmes around the world for the Maritime community.[6]

History

BIMCO was founded in 1905 in Copenhagen by a group of shipowners who came together to agree timber freight rates.[1] In 1913, the organisation created the first draft of a standard charter party agreement.[1] By 2016, the organisation had 2,200 member companies.[1]

Publications
The rear of BIMCO headquarters in Bagsværd near Copenhagen, Denmark

BIMCO produces industry guidance and publications in partnership with the Witherby Publishing Group.[7] For example, cyber security has come under increased focus in the maritime industry since the IMO required cyber security to be addressed under the International Safety Management Code and in 2019, BIMCO, the International Chamber of Shipping, and Witherbys published the Cyber Security Workbook for Onboard Ship Use.[8][9] The second edition of the nautical workbook was published in 2021.[10][11]

In 2021, with Witherbys, BIMCO published an updated guidance title on contractual risks entitled Check Before Fixing.[12][13]

BIMCO publishes industry standard contracts for ocean towage, including TOWCON and TOWHIRE which were updated in 2021.[14] The organisation also publishes shipbuilding contracts.[15]

In August 2022, in partnership with Witherbys and ICS, BIMCO issued a guidance title for the shipping industry on biofouling entitled Biofouling, Biosecurity and Hull Cleaning.[16][17]

References
  1. "BIMCO". Maritime Executive. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  2. "BIMCO". Wartsila. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  3. "Members". BIMCO. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  4. "Baltic and International Maritime Council | Den Store Danske Encyklopædi". Denstoredanske.dk. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  5. "IMarEST boss David Loosley takes on Bimco CEO role". Tradewinds. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  6. BIMCO Maritime Training
  7. "BIMCO STEPS UP FOCUS ON PUBLICATIONS". Sea News. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  8. "Book Review: Cyber Security Workbook for On Board Ship Use". Maritime Executive. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  9. "How to ensure VSAT modems cannot be hacked". Riviera Maritime. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  10. "ICS unveils new initiatives in shipping's digitalisation". Ship Insight. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  11. "Cyber Security Workbook". BIMCO. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  12. "New Check Before Fixing 2021". Hellenic Shipping News. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  13. "New BIMCO Check Before Fixing published". Ship Insight. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  14. "BIMCO publishes updated ocean towage agreements". Riviera Maritime. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  15. "BIMCO publishes new standalone Refund Guarantee for Shipbuilding Contracts". Hellenic Shipping News. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  16. "Biofouling, Biosecurity and Hull Cleaning, First Edition". Tanker Operator. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  17. "Biofouling: A multi-layered ESG problem". Lloyd's List. Retrieved 22 August 2022.(subscription required)
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