BIMCO updates New York and Singapore arbitration clause options

Overview

A new edition of BIMCO’s Dispute Resolution Clause has been published. New wording has been added to the US law, New York arbitration option to ensure that non-maritime contracts (such as shipbuilding contracts) are not inadvertently excluded from the scope of the clause.

The amended wording is designed to avoid arguments about the application of the clause to different categories of contract under US law. A second amendment excludes the mediation provision when New York arbitration is chosen. This is because the approach to mediation in the US differs from other jurisdictions, such as England. Parties who have agreed New York arbitration are still at liberty to mediate all or part of their dispute, but slightly different procedures to those stated in the clause will apply. An update to the Singapore arbitration option applies a higher Small Claims Procedure cap amount of USD 150,000, which is the figure used in the latest edition of the SCMA Rules.

There are no other changes to the BIMCO Dispute Resolution Clause. The amended wording will be incorporated into all new and revised BIMCO documents to provide options to arbitrate in London, New York, Singapore or an alternative venue chosen by the parties. The full Clause will be known as the BIMCO Dispute Resolution Clause 2016 and will supersede the 2015 edition. The text of the new Dispute Resolution Clause 2016 is available on the BIMCO website.

Gemma Wilkie
By Gemma Wilkie
in Copenhagen, DK

Coronavirus

Access BIMCO's COVID-19 related articles and advice.

Read more

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 piracy reports

 

Latest industry releasable threats

 
 

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.

More about cargo

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.