BIMCO has announced that it is developing a new clause for its standard contracts to deal with cyber security risks and related incidents that might affect the ability of contracted parties to perform their obligations.

Maritime Blockchain Labs (MBL), a subsidiary of Blockchain Labs for Open Collaboration (BLOC), has established a consortium including Lloyd’s Register, Precious Shipping, Bostomar, BIMCO, International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) and GoodFuels, which aims to address traceability and transparency in the marine fuel supply chain using blockchain technologies.

BIMCO, Liberia, the Marshall Islands and Turkey have submitted a proposal requesting the IMO to push for greater harmonisation of data ahead of the April 2019 deadline when new mandatory requirements come into force for automated ship reporting.

BIMCO has relaunched the Shipping KPI vessel benchmarking system, originally developed by InterManager in 2009 before being passed on to BIMCO in 2015, after two years of redesign.

BIMCO has launched a new software module called SmartCon, which aims to simplify work processes for users when drafting contracts and clauses based on BIMCO standards.

BIMCO and the international association for the marine electronics industry, CIRM (Comité International Radio-Maritime), have sent a proposal for an industry-wide standard for software maintenance to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), with the aim of making ships safer, preventing cyber security problems and saving on costs.

Cyber security, alongside carbon emissions and safety, was identified as one of the top line agenda issues for the recently concluded annual Tripartite Shipbuilding Forum, supported by a range of shipping organisations including BIMCO, ICS, INTERTANKO, OCIMF, and IACS.

Shipping association BIMCO has launched a range of new eLearning courses on its updated Docebo platform, offering a choice of tutor-led study or flexible untutored sessions according to the user’s preference.

BIMCO has signed an agreement with Shipdex to support the development and exchange of technical and logistics data across the shipping community, a deal which will also see BIMCO become an executive member of the Shipdex steering committee.

The second edition of The Guidelines on Cyber Security Onboard Ships has been released, compiled by a joint industry group led by BIMCO and now including new members OCIMF and IUMI, as well as original contributors CLIA, ICS, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO.