Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO)

BIMCO, the Baltic and International Maritime Council, is the largest of the international shipowner associations, founded in 1905 in Copenhagen, where it remains headquartered. Its members own or control a majority of the world merchant fleet by tonnage, spanning owners, operators, managers, brokers, and agents. BIMCO is best known for drafting standard contracts and clauses (charter parties such as GENCON, the BIMCO sanctions and war-risks clauses, and bunker terms) and holds consultative status at the IMO. Its Documentary Committee approves these forms.