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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China US Trade Restrictions

China Imposes Special Port Fees on US Vessels: Key Details for BIMCO Members

BIMCO Liquid Cargo Database Decyl Alcohol

Liquid cargo of the month October 2025 – Decyl Alcohol (All Isomers)

MOU HK Chamber Of Shipping BIMCO

BIMCO and the Hong Kong Chamber of Shipping sign strategic MoU

Upcoming training

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Charter Party Workshop Tankers Online 1920X1080 (1)
20 Oct

Tanker Charter Party Workshop Masterclass

The BIMCO Charterparty Workshop Masterclass on tankers is an in-depth, expert-led training on voyage and time charterparty contracts. Over two days, we will explore the key obligations of the parties, the disputes often arising, and industry standards focusing on tanker industry charterparties

Online
20 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025 5 days
08:00 - 10:30 UTC
BIMCO Training Contact us
Training Course
EUR 1380 BIMCO members
EUR 1835 Non-members
7 Available seats
close-up of man sitting on a bench working on a laptop computer, tablet on the bench and the background shows a container ship on the sea with a sunrise/sunset on the horizon
20 Oct

Voyage Charters Masterclass Online

Voyage Charters Masterclass Online is a series of 10 online sessions delivered over 5 days. Each day will run for 2x60 minutes with a short break in between. This course highlights key VC issues, presents ways for parties to allocate risks and gives an overview of the relevant legal principles.

Online
20 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025 5 days
12:00 - 14:00 UTC
BIMCO Training Contact us
Training Course
EUR 1320 BIMCO members
EUR 1750 Non-members
9 Available seats
laptop on wooden table showing a close-up of barbed wire over a collage of a tanker ship and paper money
20 Oct

Sanctions in Shipping 180 Seminar

For shipping professionals, the challenge lies not only in complying with legal requirements but also in recognising how deeply sanctions can affect every facet of maritime operations.

Online
20 Oct 2025 - 21 Oct 2025 2 days
13:00 - 14:30 UTC
BIMCO Training Contact us
Training Course
EUR 225 BIMCO members
EUR 310 Non-members
15 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 Wk41 Plain

Rate increases unlikely but USTR fees could impact 35% of key sectors' ships

2025 09 SMOO Container

Container – September 2025

Demand bolstered by trade lanes not bound for the US

SNOW 2025 Wk38 Plain

More than 500 alternatively-fuelled container ships now on order

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