Speed criteria issues prompt revision of ocean towage agreements
Overview
Long distance ocean towage presents numerous challenges to tugowners, not least of which is the impact of adverse weather on the performance of the tug and tow.
Long distance ocean towage presents numerous challenges to tugowners, not least of which is the impact of adverse weather on the performance of the tug and tow. Under the lump sum TOWCON 2008 agreement allowance is made for additional time spent. However, some users feel that disputes can easily arise due to a lack of clarity about the speed assumed for the purpose of establishing the contract price. It has been suggested that there should be an independent assessment by the Marine Warranty Surveyor before the job begins so that the parties get an objective opinion on the fairness of the assessed speed.
This is just one of several issues that will be discussed during the forthcoming revision of TOWCON and TOWHIRE 2008 which begins in November with the aim of further improving these well-known and widely used towage agreements. Drafting will be done by a group of industry professionals from Boskalis Offshore Energy, Boluda Towage, Østensjø Rederi, LKL Oceantrade, Clarksons, the Standard Club, GARD, and the International Salvage Union (ISU). This project is expected to take 12-18 months to complete.
Feedback or a question about this information?
Posted:
28 October 2019
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
Offshore Heavylift and Project Cargo Contracts
The handy guide contains all of BIMCO’s current standard offshore contracts and charter parties along with detailed guidance notes.
Related training
Summer Shipping School
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- 16 June, 2025
The Summer Shipping School is designed to provide a thorough overview of skills used in chartering and operations through case studies and first-class teaching....
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.
