BIMCO is the world’s largest international shipping association. We provide a wide range of services to our global membership – which includes shipowners, operators, managers, brokers and agents.
BIMCO’s core objective is to facilitate the commercial operations of our members by developing standard contracts and clauses, and providing quality information, advice and education.
BIMCO promotes fair business practices, free trade and open access to markets and we are a strong advocate for the harmonisation and standardisation of all shipping related activity.
BIMCO actively promotes the application of globally agreed regulatory instruments – we are accredited as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) with all relevant United Nations agencies and other regulatory entities.
It is BIMCO’s policy, as a trade association, to ensure compliance with competition laws around the world with respect to any activities carried out under its auspices.
BIMCO needs to exercise care to ensure compliance with competition law as it can be held liable in its own right for competition law infringements and be exposed to fines. In addition, BIMCO members and those who participate in BIMCO organised events can be held directly liable and subject to the same sanctions.
BIMCO will not engage in any activity or make any rule, decision, agreement or recommendation, or permit the exchange of information that could prevent, restrict or distort competition in breach of relevant competition laws.
Please read the following notice prior to attending any BIMCO meeting or event.
Members and other participants at any of BIMCO’s meetings, forums, working groups, presentations, seminars or other events should be aware that they may be marketplace competitors and that any action or agreement which may potentially prevent, restrict or distort competition - such as exchanging information on issues such as pricing or terms of business, or setting standards that exclude competitors - is likely to be unlawful. Members and participants must individually exercise caution during such meetings to prevent a potential violation of competition law.
Competition compliance is the responsibility of every BIMCO member and participant at any BIMCO event. Any member or participant in doubt about their compliance with competition law should seek legal advice.