BIMCO – short for the Baltic and International Maritime Council – is the largest international shipping association in the world. With members in over 130 countries, it represents around 60% of the world’s merchant fleet by tonnage.
Founded in 1905 in Copenhagen, BIMCO was created to support shipowners with practical tools to operate safely, efficiently, and fairly. It is best known for its globally used standard contracts and clauses – but its impact extends to maritime education, policy, digitalisation, and decarbonisation.
BIMCO is where commerce meets clarity: it helps shipping professionals avoid disputes and navigate global trade with legal precision and operational confidence.
At its core, BIMCO focuses on four main areas:
1. Contracts and Documentation:
2. Policy and Advocacy:
3. Digital Tools and Resources:
4. Training and Capacity Building:
Some of BIMCO’s most widely used standard forms include:
• GENCON – A widely used general cargo charter party
• BARECON – For bareboat charters
• SHIPMAN & CREWMAN – For ship and crew management agreements
• CONGENBILL – Standard bill of lading
• SUPPLYTIME – For offshore support vessels
These documents are developed by expert drafting committees made up of lawyers, shipowners, brokers, and insurers, ensuring that each reflects the real-life complexity of maritime operations.
In recent years, BIMCO has stepped into new territories:
• Green clauses for decarbonisation compliance
• Sanctions clauses and guidance for geopolitically sensitive trade routes
• Cyber security contracts to manage digital risks
• Autonomous shipping frameworks in development
Its approach is always pragmatic: provide practical, legally sound tools that shipping companies can implement immediately.
BIMCO’s membership includes:
• Shipowners
• Operators
• Managers
• Brokers
• P&I clubs
• Law firms
This broad base allows BIMCO to understand the entire commercial chain – and serve as a neutral source of guidance and consensus.
It partners closely with other international organisations such as ICS, CMI, and INTERTANKO, and regularly co-develops standards in areas of shared concern.
Contracts are the backbone of maritime trade – they define responsibility, protect relationships, and reduce risk. BIMCO ensures that contracts are standardised, fair, and future-ready.
Whether you're chartering a ship, managing a crew, or preparing for low-emission compliance – BIMCO provides the tools to do it right.
In short, BIMCO gives the global shipping industry a shared language of trust.
How do standardised maritime contracts, like those developed by BIMCO, help reduce legal disputes and improve operational efficiency across international shipping?
