BIMCO Issues Update of Stowaways Clause

BIMCO’s Stowaways Clause for Time Charter Parties 2009 is now available for downloading.

BIMCO has decided to revise its well-used Stowaways Clause in the light of continuing problems with stowaways in order to further clarify the allocation of responsibility for stowaways between owners and charterers. Owners are covered by their P&I club for costs in connection with stowaways, but this Clause gives the Club a recourse claim against the charterers. The Clause also now includes stowaways gaining access to the vessel in relation to the cargo operation, such as hiding in grabs whereas previously, the charterer’s responsibility for stowaways was limited to those gaining access by concealing themselves in the cargo.

The Clause has been issued in the form of a Special Circular which provides a background and explanatory notes to the revision. The Special Circular can be downloaded from www.bimco.org