Autonomous ships

In recent years, the prospect of autonomous ships has become a hot topic for commercial shipping. The same fast-paced advances in technology that have led to projects to automate vehicles in every other sector of the transportation industry have also found their way to the shipping industry. Advances in camera technology, sensors, electromechanical actuators, and satellite technology appear to promise a world in which ships will traverse the oceans without a human on board.

War in Ukraine: Guidance regarding maritime security implications

Russia appears to have launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and maritime security will likely be affected.

24 Feb Ukraine situation – contractual implications

This short guide highlights some of the key issues that may affect the obligations and rights of contracting parties following developments in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, with a focus on BIMCO clauses. In all circumstances, parties should carefully review their contractual terms for current and future fixtures and, if in any doubt, seek legal advice before acting.

Ukraine situation – contractual implications

This short guide highlights some of the key issues that may affect the obligations and rights of contracting parties following developments in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, with a focus on BIMCO clauses. In all circumstances, parties should carefully review their contractual terms for current and future fixtures and, if in any doubt, seek legal advice before acting.

24 Feb Ukraine situation – contractual implications

This short guide highlights some of the key issues that may affect the obligations and rights of contracting parties following developments in the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, with a focus on BIMCO clauses. In all circumstances, parties should carefully review their contractual terms for current and future fixtures and, if in any doubt, seek legal advice before acting.

Sanctions Clause for Time Charter Parties 2020

The sanctions landscape has grown increasingly complex since BIMCO published its Sanctions Clause for Time Charter Parties in 2010. International sanctions regimes are constantly changing with new restrictions being added and new persons and entities being listed. A violation of sanctions restrictions can have severe consequences and in the worst cases can lead to parties being listed as sanctioned parties. Therefore, carefully worded sanctions clauses in charter parties and other contracts are vital for internationally trading companies to help them manage and mitigate their sanctions risk and to enable them to continue to do business while remaining compliant with the various sanctions regimes. This clause is intended for use in all trades except for container trades. A separate sanctions clause for the container trades is under development. This clause was published on 19 December 2019. It replaces the Sanctions Clause for Time Charter Parties 2010 and the Designated Entities Clause for Charter Parties 2013 (which have been combined to make a new single clause for ease of incorporation).

Ship recycling: Time for Change

First ever standard contract for autonomous ship operation underway

BIMCO is adapting the currently used SHIPMAN 2009 agreement for use with autonomous ships, but the lack of actual autonomous ships currently in operation will mean ongoing adjustments as the industry forges ahead with its pioneering projects. Publication of the first version is expected in 2021.

Shipowners encouraged to take part in ship generated waste survey

The EU is carrying out an online survey which is relevant to all shipowners irrespective if they operate ships on EU-flag or not. The outcome of the survey will be used to establish criteria for determining that a ship produces reduced quantities of waste and manages its waste in a sustainable and environmentally sound manner. The outcome could result in reduced fees for delivering waste to a port reception facility, and BIMCO encourages all shipowners to take part in the survey.

Are autonomous ships on the horizon?

Millions of dollars are invested into the research and trials of systems needed to expand autonomous shipping. The question is: will it pay off?