Tag: BIMCO

BIMCO have  launched a new, multi-part guidance resource to support ship owners and operators in improving their environmental performance and the efficiency of their ships. BIMCO’s Guide to Maritime Environmental & Efficiency Management, developed in partnership with maritime efficiency specialists Fathom, and supported by ClassNK, provides a resource to facilitate compliance with environmental regulations and assist owners and operators in the development of an environmental and efficiency management system. This first-of-a-kind, comprehensive resource allows ship owners and operators to develop an all-encompassing environmental and efficiency management system. The need for this sort of independent, fit for purpose resource is greater than ever, given the complexity of the regulations governing the impact of shipping operations on the environment and the ever-present need to drive ship efficiency. That is why this Guide has been developed with the industry for the industry. BIMCO’s Marine Committee, in addition to a selection of ship owners, operators and industry experts, were fundamental in shaping the structure and content of the Guide. This industry expertise ensures that it is of high practical use to ship owners and operators, both in terms of navigating the different environmental regulations and establishing a company-specific environmental and efficiency management system. Claude ...

A member recently informed BIMCO that their ship, being employed on time charter, had been granted what appeared to be an exemption from the regulations on sulphur content of fuel on its arrival to an EU emission control area (ECA) port. The charterer of the ship had applied for and seemingly received an exemption from an authority, the wording of which they had quoted to the owners in an e-mail. The exemption stated that the ship was allowed to arrive without low sulphur MGO on board, provided it stemmed enough of this grade at its destination port to navigate out of the ECA burning low sulphur MGO only. The owners had not accepted the charterers attempt to avoid stemming compliant fuel prior to entering the ECA and had neither been involved in, nor approved the charterers’ application for an exemption due to non-availability. BIMCO investigated the issue of exemptions from the low sulphur requirements in general and for this case specifically. It turns out that the authority having provided the charterers with the exemption had no authority in this matter, not to mention that they obviously could not issue an exemption for a ship, which destination was in an entirely different country (as in ...

BIMCO has begun on a project to produce two standard novation agreements

With the amount of LNG traded on the spot market continuing to grow, BIMCO is developing a new contract for the transportation of LNG under voyage charter terms. This will add additional flexibility to the spot market and give parties alternative means to manage their risks and control costs. Because of the nature of LNG cargo and its common use as propulsive fuel, it creates a number of challenges when carried under conventional voyage charter party terms. Among the key issues that are addressed are the use of cargo as fuel; heel; boil off; and how to deal with delays. The charter party is also being worded and structured to retain familiarity for users with current time charter practice, where possible. The key issues all stem from the fact that the LNG cargo continuously “boils-off” and that time is of the essence in the sense that arrival at loading and discharging berths has to run like clockwork due to the infrastructure of the LNG business. This has called for a delicate balancing act on the way to find solutions that are acceptable to both owners and charterers under voyage terms. By way of example, a ship can use the natural ...

Reminding that the region has become extremely dangerous BIMCO issued an advisory to highlight recent events in the region and reinforce guidance.As reported by BIMCO last weekend armed pirates boarded and hijacked a fishing vessel underway off Togo. The Togo Navy responded and engaged the pirates. Twenty crew jumped overboard in an attempt to escape, and were rescued by the patrol boat. The remaining seven crew were taken hostage as the pirates fled heading out to sea. The pirates later left the ship and the crew sailed towards a safe port. One crew has been reported as killed in the incident.On Wednesday, 4 February, night it is reported by IMB that armed pirates attacked a Greek-owned tanker while it was waiting to load off Nigeria, killing its Greek deputy captain and taking hostage three other crew. The attack on the ship Kalamos, which had a crew of 23 and was sailing under a Maltese flag, took place at Qua Iboe. Members would want to know BIMCO has further heard that the Master activated the SSA and made a distress call which was received on channel 16, requesting for medical assistance as a result of injuries sustained from the pirate attack ...

No increase of Suez Canal tolls announced the Suez Canal Authorities

BIMCO has drawn attention to concern about the activities of PMSCs who may be operating contrary to GUARDCON

BIMCOs Gypsy Moth Clause takes balanced approach to risk

BIMCO has received reports that a small minority of PMSCs may be operating contrary to the provisions of GUARDCON.

BIMCO is now calling on shipping companies to participate in its new vetting system