Background

The risk of infestation by Flighted Spongy Moth Complex (FSMC) (formerly known as Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM)) is a perennial problem for vessels trading in the Far East during the female moth’s flight season. The risk is particularly high in Korea, Japan, Northern China and the Russian Far East. A number of countries are highly alert to the risk of this invasive and destructive species – notably the USA, Canada, Chile, Australia and New Zealand. Regulations in those countries generally require all vessels arriving in their ports to declare whether they have traded to ports within the high-risk areas in season during the past two years. Some authorities also require the vessel to be certified free of FSCM.

Although numerous charter party clauses addressing Asian Gypsy Moth  / Flighted Spongy Moth Complex are in circulation, these clauses often contain very specific geographical regions and dates for high-risk seasons. As there is no uniform international definition of the high-risk areas or flight seasons, the use of these clauses may create uncertainty. To tackle this issue BIMCO developed a generic Asian Gypsy Moth Clause for Time Charter Parties in 2015 that provides a commercial solution to this problem focusing on the basic obligations and responsibilities of the owners and the charterers in respect of AGM.

The Entomological Society of America (ESA), as part of its programme to review and replace insect common names that may be inappropriate or offensive, has decided to change “Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM)” to "Flighted Spongy Moth Complex (FSCM)". Consequently, the respective US and Australian authorities are now using the new term and the wording and title of the AGM Clause has therefore been amended accordingly.

More information on AGM / FSCM can be found on BIMCO’s website under "Introduction to AGM / FSMC".

Explanatory notes

The Clause places a strict obligation on the owners to deliver the vessel free of FSMC with a reciprocal obligation on the charterers at redelivery. Both parties must also provide FSMC-free certificates at the relevant time. BIMCO recognises that in some countries, such as South Africa, it may not be possible to obtain an FSMC free certificate. However, for the purposes of the clause it is assumed that a certificate can be obtained in the majority of cases. Parties will have to address on a case-by-case basis circumstances where it cannot be obtained at the last port of call or the port of delivery.

During the performance of the charter party, it is the charterers’ obligation to reduce the risk of infestation resulting from the vessel’s trading pattern. This obligation not only extends to the ports where the charterers may order the vessel, but also to any cargo loaded on board which may be infested. The provision of phytosanitary certificates or similar during the charter are also the responsibility of the charterers as are the consequences resulting from actual or suspected infestation.

The main objective has been to draft a clause that is simpler and more generic than many of the Flighted Spongy Moth Complex (FSMC) clauses currently in circulation. When developing the original clause in 2015, it was decided that references to specific ports and geographical areas were unnecessary and precluded any new countries that may take formal measures to combat AGM in the future, which would limit the “shelf life” of the clause.  

BIMCO’s website contains a wealth of useful information about Flighted Spongy Moth Complex (formerly known as Asian Gypsy Moth) including seasonal dates and geographic areas that are updated regularly; lists of recognised authorities that issue phytosanitary and pre-departure inspection certificates; and details of AGM/FSMC regulations in Australia, Canada, Chile, New Zealand and the USA. 

The above-mentioned information is limited to members of BIMCO. Publicly available information can be obtained directly from the websites of the agricultural authorities of the countries the vessel intends to call at after trading in a high risk area, for instance the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

The Clause applies to any and all life stages of the moth and consists of three subclauses:

Sub-clause (a) sets out the owners’ obligation to deliver a vessel free of FSMC and to provide an FSMC Free Certificate on delivery if the ship has traded to areas where there is a risk of infestation by FSMC . The obligation on the owners is strict to reflect common regulatory obligations in countries such as the USA, Canada and Chile. The sub-clause limits the owners’ obligation to provide an FSMC -free certificate on delivery to a twenty-four month trading period immediately prior to delivery (where the ship has traded to an area with risk of infestation). This period is consistent with the stringent certification requirements of countries such as the USA and Canada.

Sub-clause (b) covers the obligations of the charterers during the time charter period. The charterers are permitted to order the ship to FSMC risk areas, but when doing so they accept responsibility for any resulting infestation, actual or suspected, at their time and expense. Throughout the charter party the charterers are also expected to mitigate the risk of infestation, to remove any infestations from the ship and to provide an FSMC Free Certificate from the last port of call within an FSMC risk area.

Sub-clause (c) ensures that the charterers’ obligations on redelivery mirror those of the owners on delivery. The charterers must redeliver the vessel free of AGM and with an accompanying AGM Free Certificate, if relevant.

Originally published in BIMCO Special Circular No. 4, 22 January 2015 - BIMCO Asian Gypsy Moth Clause for Time Charter Parties - updated on 24 March 2023.