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

Ship Is1018384676 3440Px
01

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
02

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
03

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

View all
Digital Network

BIMCO to launch new Maritime Digitalisation Network

BIMCO's Grant Hunter at computer

Mining companies reflect on the 25 by 25 eBills of Lading campaign

Logo of IPOC Funds

IOPC Funds Meeting in London

Upcoming training

View all
Container ship on the sea with a sunrise/sunset on the horizon
11 Dec

Voyage Charters Masterclass

This course highlights key VC issues, presents ways for parties to allocate risks and gives an overview of the relevant legal principles.

Novotel Rotterdam Brainpark K.P. van der Mandelelaan 150, 3062 MB, Rotterdam, Netherlands
11 Dec 2025 - 12 Dec 2025 2 days
BIMCO Training Contact us
Masterclass
EUR 1380 BIMCO members
EUR 1835 Non-members
7 Available seats
LOI_F2F 1920X1080
16 Dec

Letters of Indemnity Compact Seminar

Understand the principles of laytime and demurrage for both dry and wet trades. The course covers the key legal concepts and a step-by-step approach to effectively use the knowledge to work strategically with laytime calculations to boost profitability.

INSA Office 22 Maker Tower-F, 2nd Floor, Cuffe Parade, 400 005, Mumbai, India
16 Dec 2025 - 16 Dec 2025 1 day
09:00 - 13:00
BIMCO Training Contact us
Training Course
EUR 150 BIMCO members
EUR 175 Non-members
11 Available seats
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
7 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

Browse all
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

SNOW 2025 Wk48 Plain

Coal shipments to advanced economies expected to fall 2% to 23-year low

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