Change at the helm of BIMCO Documentary Committee
Overview
Documentary Committee Chairman Francis Sarre of CMB has, after six years in the driver’s seat, passed over the reins of BIMCO’s contracts and clauses approval body to Nick Fell of BW Group. Fell takes over as Chairman at a time when the industry needs strong contractual solutions, not least due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under Francis Sarre’s chairmanship, BIMCO’s Documentary Committee has adopted more than 50 contracts and clauses. Sarre has, amongst many other high-profile projects, spearheaded BIMCO’s move into the ship financing area with the development of two term sheets for bilateral and syndicated term loan facilities, SHIPTERM and SHIPTERM S – projects which he also chaired himself. The suite of term sheets was completed with the development of a standard ship sale and leaseback term sheet, SHIPLEASE, published in September 2020.
“BIMCO’s documentary work is widely recognised all over the world and it has been a privilege to be at the forefront of the Documentary Committee and all its committed members without whose knowledge and expertise we would not have the recognition and respect of the industry,” says Sarre who is Secretary General and General Counsel at Belgium-based CMB. He will continue his involvement in the development of BIMCO’s new ship sale agreement, SHIPSALE 21, scheduled for adoption later this year.
Søren Larsen, BIMCO’s Deputy Secretary General in charge of the association’s contracts and clauses related work, commends Sarre’s chairmanship: “Francis has been an outstanding chair, leading the Documentary Committee through challenging discussions, always mindful of the need to develop standards which strike the right chord as regards the commercial parties’ rights and obligations.”
Busy work programme for new DC chair
Nick Fell of BW Group was officially elected Chairman of the Documentary Committee at BIMCO’s General Meeting on 20 May. He takes over at a time when the industry in many ways is confronted with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic while, at the same time, there is also a need for robust contractual solutions in key areas such as environmental compliance.
“The shipping industry is heavily reliant on BIMCO’s contracts and clauses and I will do my utmost to ensure that the Documentary Committee continues to act in a timely and quality-oriented fashion, developing pragmatic and commercially sound solutions,” says Fell who is Executive Vice President, Corporate Services and General Counsel at BW Group in Singapore.
The next Documentary Committee is planned for November 2021 in London. In view of the busy work programme, an additional online session of the DC is being considered for September.
“I am sure that Nick will be an excellent chair and will assist the Documentary Committee in meeting the challenges that the industry is facing today,” concludes Sarre.
* Pictured above: Outgoing Chairman Francis Sarre (left) and incoming Chairman Nick Fell (right).
Feedback or a question about this information?
Posted:
31 May 2021
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
Charter Party Workshop Online
- Online, Online
- 27 January, 2025
The Charter Party Workshop (Masterclass) Online is a series of 10 online sessions and combines a range of lecturers on voyage and time chartering with sessions ...
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.
