BIMCO Ice Clause for Voyage Charter Parties 2005

The Vessel shall not be obliged to force ice but, subject to the Owners’ approval having due regard to its size, construction and class, may follow ice-breakers.

(a) Port of Loading

(i) If at any time after setting out on the approach voyage the Vessel’s passage is impeded by ice, or if on arrival the loading port is inaccessible by reason of ice, the Master or Owners shall notify the Charterers thereof and request them to nominate a safe and accessible alternative port.

If the Charterers fail within 48 running hours, Sundays and holidays included, to make such nomination or agree to reckon laytime as if the port named in the contract were accessible or declare that they cancel the Charter Party, the Owners shall have the option of cancelling the Charter Party. In the event of cancellation by either party, the Charterers shall compensate the Owners for all proven loss of earnings under this Charter Party.

(ii) If at any loading port the Master considers that there is a danger of the Vessel being frozen in, and provided that the Master or Owners immediately notify the Charterers thereof, the Vessel may leave with cargo loaded on board and proceed to the nearest safe and ice free place and there await the Charterers’ nomination of a safe and accessible alternative port within 24 running hours, Sundays and holidays excluded, of the Master’s or Owners’ notification. If the Charterers fail to nominate such alternative port, the vessel may proceed to any port(s), whether or not on the customary route for the chartered voyage, to complete with cargo for the Owners’ account.*

(b) Port of Discharge

(i) If the voyage to the discharging port is impeded by ice, or if on arrival the discharging port is inaccessible by reason of ice, the Master or Owners shall notify the Charterers thereof. In such case, the Charterers shall have the option of keeping the Vessel waiting until the port is accessible against paying compensation in an amount equivalent to the rate of demurrage or of ordering the Vessel to a safe and accessible alternative port.

If the Charterers fail to make such declaration within 48 running hours, Sundays and holidays included, of the Master or Owners having given notice to the Charterers, the Master may proceed without further notice to the nearest safe and accessible port and there discharge the cargo.

(ii) If at any discharging port the Master considers that there is a danger of the Vessel being frozen in, and provided that the Master or Owners immediately notify the Charterers thereof, the Vessel may leave with cargo remaining on board and proceed to the nearest safe and ice free place and there await the Charterers’ nomination of a safe and accessible alternative port within 24 running hours, Sundays and holidays excluded, of the Master’s or Owners’ notification. If the Charterers fail to nominate such alternative port, the vessel may proceed to the nearest safe and accessible port and there discharge the remaining cargo.

(iii) On delivery of the cargo other than at the port(s) named in the contract, all conditions of the Bill of Lading shall apply and the Vessel shall receive the same freight as if discharge had been at the original port(s) of destination, except that if the distance of the substituted port(s) exceeds 100 nautical miles, the freight on the cargo delivered at the substituted port(s) shall be increased proportionately.

* Note: In trades where the terms and conditions of the charter party are not incorporated into the bill(s) of lading, such bill(s) must contain an express statement permitting the vessel to complete with cargo at alternative port(s), whether or not on the customary route for the chartered voyage.