Calculation of deviation costs debated at TOWCON revision meeting
Overview
There are a variety of circumstances where a tug and tow may need to deviate from the intended course or delay the voyage. This poses a number of questions, which were debated at meetings on 21-22 April by the TOWCON/TOWHIRE revision subcommittee.
BIMCO’s TOWCON 2008 agreement entitles the tugowner not only to deviate or slow steam the tug during the course of the towage, but also to claim compensation from the hirer for any additional time used.
The assumption is that the tugowner will act reasonably in deciding to deviate or slow steam. But TOWCON provides no guidance on how the tugowner should calculate the additional time used. This can give rise to disputes with the hirer. Should a formula for the calculations be included in the new edition of TOWCON or should it be left to the accompanying explanatory notes to provide example calculations?
This was one of the interesting topics for discussion during the recent meeting of the subcommittee. The revision of BIMCO’s ocean towage agreements is due to be finalised this year and BIMCO is grateful to the drafting team for their engagement and good work:
Mr Dirk Kwantes, LKL Oceantrade, Ms Charo Coll, Boluda Towage (ISU), Mr Maurice Schreurs, Boskalis, Mr Nick Jeffery, Ostensjo Rederi, Mr Adrian Goodger, Clarksons, Mr Ivar Brynildsen, Gard, Mr John Croucher, The Standard Club.
Feedback or a question about this information?
Posted:
06 May 2020
VPS Bunker Alerts
Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) publish regular Bunker Alerts based entirely on fuel samples and have kindly permitted BIMCO’s Members to access this information.
The Bunker Alerts are not intended to be an evaluation of overall bunker quality in the port or area concerned, but usually highlight a specific parameter within the fuel which has raised a quality issue.
Latest ice reports for members
Latest piracy reports
Latest industry releasable threats
Related publication
Ship Management Contracts
The handy guide contains explanatory notes to all of BIMCO’s current standard ship management contracts.
Related training
Commodity Trading & Chartering Masterclass Online
- Online, Online
- 03 February, 2025
Commodity Trading & Chartering Masterclass Online is a series of 10 online sessions delivered over 5 days. Each day will run for 2x75 minutes with a short break...
ELSEWHERE ON BIMCO
Contracts & Clauses
All of BIMCO's most widely used contracts and clauses as well as advice on managing charters and business partners.
Learn about your cargo
For general guidance and information on cargo-related queries.
BIMCO Publications
Want to buy or download a BIMCO publication? Use the link to get access to the ballast water management guide, the ship master’s security manual and many other publications.
About a new business partner
We can help members check new business partners. We also help to recover millions of USD (undisputed) funds every year.
