The practical voice of shipping

We help our members keep world trade moving. 

See what BIMCO can offer you and your business.

Supporting shipping since 1905

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Contracts

We’ve been creating contracts and clauses since 1905. We believe that standardised terms create equality, fairness and support business, and we believe this matters.

BIMCO sign on the desk at the International Maritime Organization in London
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Regulation

We work to promote transparent and non-discriminatory standards and harmonisation within the shipping industry.

Merete L. Greisen of BIMCO using a headset in a phone call
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Expert knowledge

Being the practical voice of shipping means we are more than an industry association. We offer members practical tools and expert knowledge to help them commercially navigate to a sustainable future.

A global shipping community in 120 countries

BIMCO's 2,100 members cover 64% of the world's tonnage and consist of local, global, small, and large companies. 

From our offices in Athens, Brussels, Copenhagen, Houston, London, Shanghai and Singapore we aim to help build a resilient industry in a sustainable future whilst protecting world trade. We do this by finding practical solutions for our members to help them manage risk in a changing world.

Latest news & video

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Icebreaker breaking the ice sheet

Latest ice conditions and Polar Code updates

NYT Article

Are we witnessing the end of global trade?

Biofouling 001

Findings from the latest BIMCO Biofouling Survey

Upcoming training

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Shipbuilding Contracts Online 1920X1080
20 Jan

Shipbuilding and Offshore Construction Contracts 180 Seminar

Legal and practical aspects of shipbuilding and offshore construction contracts. For legal and contract professionals, covering key contract forms (SAJ, NEWBUILDCON, SHIP25), negotiation strategies, and project-specific approaches under English law. Ideal for those working with cargo ships, offshore, conversions, etc.

Online
20 Jan 2026 - 21 Jan 2026 2 days
09:00 - 10:30 UTC
BIMCO Training Contact us
180 Seminar
EUR 240 BIMCO members
EUR 330 Non-members
3 Available seats
Supply vessel moving away from an offshore construction platform for oil and gas production
21 Jan

SUPPLYTIME Masterclass

The masterclass examines different versions of the SUPPLYTIME contract. During the course, we will also examine the practical and legal differences using SUPPLYTIME for other purposes than OSV/AHTS.

London, UK London, United Kingdom
21 Jan 2026 - 22 Jan 2026 2 days
BIMCO Training Contact us
Masterclass
GBP 1200 BIMCO members
GBP 1630 Non-members
10 Available seats
person in orange safey vest typing on a computer
26 Jan

Bills of Lading Masterclass Online

Bills of Lading Masterclass Online is a series of 10 online sessions delivered over 5 days. Each day will run for 120 minutes with a short break in between.

Online
26 Jan 2026 - 30 Jan 2026 5 days
09:00 - 11:00 UTC
BIMCO Training Contact us
Masterclass
EUR 1450 BIMCO members
EUR 1930 Non-members
13 Available seats

Shipping explained

Discover the interrelationships between the commercial and regulatory sides of shipping, and see where BIMCO fits into the picture.

Shipping Explained infographic

Latest market analysis

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SNOW 2025 Wk50 Plain

African appetite for cement drives 13% jump in shipments

SNOW 2025 Wk49 Plain

Bulker newbuilding contracting drops 54% to five-year low

2025 11 SMOO Tanker Plain

Tanker – November 2025

Geopolitics again take centre stage

Contract editing made easy

SmartCon is the secure and best way of working with BIMCO contracts

Laptop screen superimposed on an image of the sea