27 March 2024
The BIMCO Masterclass is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the principles of time chartering. The course will use case studies as the primary learning tool to allow you to develop a knowledge of the practical aspects of time chartering and its application in the daily operation of vessels. On the first day, we will begin with a general introduction to the practical aspects of time chartering seen from both the perspective of the owners and charterers. We will discuss how to identify and negotiate the best terms for a particular charter, and how to create and manage the charter party before and during the fixture. This part of the course will also cover disputes related to various daily issues, including seaworthiness and the obligation to issue and comply with voyage and employment orders. One of the key areas of dispute is the description of the vessel. The charter party will include a description of the vessel, and if the vessel does not meet these specifications, the charterer may claim damages from the owner. Another area of dispute is performance claims. The charter party will typically include provisions relating to the vessel's performance, such as speed and fuel consumption. If the vessel fails to meet these performance targets, the charterer may claim damages from the owner. Finally, we will discuss the disputes concerning the duration of the charter, especially in relation to redelivery, where disputes and discussions often occur concerning the vessel's last voyage. On the second day, we will look at common disputes related to the payment of hire. These include failure to meet the pre-agreed terms and conditions, unexpected delays or cancellations, failure to pay hire on time, disagreements over the amount of hire due, and failure to comply with any of the charter party terms and conditions on payments. All time charter parties contain an off-hire clause providing exceptions from the strict obligation for charterers to pay hire from delivery until redelivery. The specific terms of the off-hire clause will determine whether any particular event entitles the charterers to place the ship off-hire, and for how long. The course will conclude with a review of all the topics covered as a case study, enabling you to consolidate your understanding of the principles, practical aspects, and legal framework of a time chartering agreement.
04 November 2020
Voyage Charters Masterclass Online is a series of 10 sessions each lasting 60 minutes. This course highlights key VC issues, presents ways for parties to allocate risks and gives an overview of the relevant legal principles.
08 May 2024
Voyage chartering stands as a fundamental aspect of commercial shipping operations. With its contractual arrangements and complex logistical considerations, voyage chartering plays a pivotal role in facilitating the movement of goods worldwide. This is reflected in the wide range of voyage charter parties and stand-alone clauses produced by BIMCO for all aspects of shipping. The BIMCO Voyage Chartering Masterclass is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, practices, and challenges inherent in voyage chartering. Over the course of just two days, we will cover a wide range of aspects, both for the dry and wet side of the business. What we also aim to provide is a valuable networking platform for participants to connect and exchange ideas. To facilitate this, we will use group case studies to help participants gain a deeper understanding of how disputes and claims can be argued and resolved.
07 December 2023
07 December 2023
10 November 2017
20 February 2017
Work on revising the UN voyage charter party WORLDFOOD continued with a two days meeting at the World Food Programme’s headquarters in Rome earlier this month.
17 October 2016
The Anti-Corruption Clause for Charter Parties 2015 provides market users with a regime for responding to unlawful demands for gifts in cash or kind, such as cigarettes or alcohol. It is designed for use in both voyage and time charters and sets out a series of steps with the contracting parties working together to resist such demands but if this fails, owners’ rights to hire or uninterrupted laytime and demurrage are protected. Termination, by either party, is the ultimate sanction but a high threshold has been set so that it cannot be easily used as an exit from an inconvenient charter. This clause was published on 7 December 2015.
07 December 2023
In 2021 BIMCO initiated a project to develop a suite of LNG fuel clauses for time charter parties. The number of LNG fuelled ships in operation is growing steadily and the suite reflects the need to have bespoke clauses in time charters for these ships. The LNG clauses cover matters related to the LNG quality, delivery/redelivery, gas-freeing and cooling down and an operational clause. For dual-fuel ships the clauses are intended to be used together with the existing BIMCO bunker clauses for conventional fuel oils. The current suite of LNG fuel clauses for use in time charter parties also consists of: LNG Bunker Operational Clause for Time Charter Parties LNG Fuel Gas freeing and Cool down Clause LNG Fuel Quality Clause
18 April 2024
Voyage chartering stands as a fundamental aspect of commercial shipping operations. With its contractual arrangements and complex logistical considerations, voyage chartering plays a pivotal role in facilitating the movement of goods worldwide. This is reflected in the wide range of voyage charter parties and stand-alone clauses produced by BIMCO for all aspects of shipping. The BIMCO Voyage Chartering Masterclass is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, practices, and challenges inherent in voyage chartering. Over the course of just two days, we will cover a wide range of aspects, both for the dry and wet side of the business. What we also aim to provide is a valuable networking platform for participants to connect and exchange ideas. To facilitate this, we will use group case studies to help participants gain a deeper understanding of how disputes and claims can be argued and resolved.
