BIMCO
BIMCO is the world's largest international shipping association, serving 2,100 member ship owners, charterers, and brokers across 120 countries with standardized contracts, contractual advice, training, and digital platforms including SmartCon and SHIP PI.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1905
- HeadquartersBagsværd, Denmark
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What BIMCO does
BIMCO (Baltic and International Maritime Council), founded in 1905 and headquartered in Bagsværd near Copenhagen, Denmark, is the world's largest international shipping association, with 2,100 member companies across 120 countries representing approximately 64% of global shipping tonnage. The organization serves ship owners, charterers, brokers, and operators through a portfolio of standardized contracts and clauses (over 350, including industry-standard forms such as GENCON and BARECON), expert contractual advice, regulatory representation before bodies such as the IMO, and professional training in shipping law and operations.
Its core technology layer consists of the SmartCon digital contract management platform, which offers AI-assisted features including a Recap Reader that converts fixture recaps into contracts, clause verification, duplication checks, conflict detection, and AI-driven clause suggestions, with built-in Smart Sign eSignature plus DocuSign integration. SHIP PI is a performance benchmarking tool that standardizes 67 performance indicators into 36 KPIs across eight categories. The association also operates a data exchange API and publishes reference materials such as the Holiday Calendar and Cyber Security Manual. Pricing for SmartCon is publicly disclosed in three tiers (Basic €0 + €120/contract, Standard €360 members / €600 non-members, Premium €720 members / €1,200 non-members), while training courses are priced at €1,450 for members and €1,930 for non-members.
BIMCO generates revenue from recurring membership fees, tiered SmartCon licensing including non-member access, training and education programs, publications, and data exchange services. It goes to market through a hybrid sales-led and community-led motion, distributing services via seven offices in Copenhagen, Athens, Brussels, Houston, London, Shanghai, and Singapore, supplemented by industry events, training courses, and digital content. Notable partnerships include the WISTA International MoU on diversity and sustainability, the joint e-bills of lading campaign with Cosco Shipping, and the Port Call Optimization Guide with IAPH and IHMA. Governance is provided by a Board of Directors under President Paul Pathy, with David Loosley as Secretary General & CEO and Mai Vedel as CFO; BIMCO Informatique A/S is a wholly-owned IT subsidiary.
BIMCO firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BIMCO
- Legal name
- BIMCO
- Website
- https://bimco.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1905
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- BIMCO is the world's largest international shipping association, serving 2,100 member ship owners, charterers, and brokers across 120 countries with standardized contracts, contractual advice, training, and digital platforms including SmartCon and SHIP PI.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BIMCO industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maritime Trade Association Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)
- SIC
- Water Transportation (4400)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Trade Compliance & Ocean Regulatory Services (Sanctions/Export Controls) (TLACABAL)
Keywords
Where BIMCO is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bagsværd
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices7 records
Markets served
BIMCO business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: BIMCO operates as a membership-based association where shipping companies, ship owners, charterers, and brokers pay membership fees for access to the association's services, contract templates, training, and industry representation.
- Contract and Clause Licensing: Revenue generated from licensing BIMCO's standardized contracts and clauses to members and non-members through the SmartCon platform. Pricing varies by subscription tier with per-contract fees for Basic tier users.
- Training Courses and Education: BIMCO provides professional training courses for shipping industry professionals, generating additional revenue alongside membership services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Basic tier - Free annual access with per-contract fees |
| Subscription | Annual | Standard tier - Unlimited contract access with annual subscription |
| Subscription | Annual | Premium tier - Full access with enhanced features |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
BIMCO product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BIMCO is the world's largest international shipping association, providing standardized shipping contracts and clauses (over 350 including GENCON and BARECON), the SmartCon digital contract management platform, the SHIP PI vessel performance tracking tool, professional maritime training courses, industry publications, and representation of the shipping industry before regulatory bodies for ship owners, charterers, and brokers across 120 countries.
Product overview
BIMCO offers a suite of maritime industry products and services comprising the SmartCon platform for contract management, SHIP PI for ship performance benchmarking, training courses, publications, and data exchange APIs. SmartCon serves as the core contract editing platform with AI-powered features for contract creation and management, while SHIP PI provides operational performance measurement tools using a standardized KPI framework. Training and publications complement the product ecosystem by delivering maritime expertise and reference materials. The products are designed to work both independently and as an integrated suite supporting the global shipping industry's contractual and operational needs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BIMCO SHIP PI: A global shipping industry tool for defining, measuring and reporting information on operational performance using 67 performance indicators and 36 key performance indicators organized into 8 KPI groups.
- BIMCO SmartCon
- BIMCO Training
- BIMCO Publications
Products and services
- BIMCO SmartCon Online contract editor platform for creating, editing, and managing BIMCO standard shipping contracts. Includes AI-powered features such as Recap Reader (which converts fixture recaps into contracts), clause verification, duplication checks, conflict detection, AI clause suggestions, and digital signature integration via DocuSign or the built-in Smart Sign tool. Offered in Basic, Standard, and Premium subscription tiers.
- BIMCO SHIP PI Global shipping industry tool for defining, measuring, and reporting vessel and fleet operational performance. Uses 67 performance indicators that calculate 36 key performance indicators organized into 8 KPI groups including Environmental, Health & Safety, HR Management, and Technical categories, with AI capabilities for advanced analytics.
- BIMCO Training Maritime professional training courses delivered face-to-face or online covering laytime and demurrage, bills of lading, offshore/project/heavylift operations, shipping law, and commercial/contractual risk topics. Member and non-member pricing available (e.g., EUR 1,450 for members, EUR 1,930 for non-members on masterclass courses).
- BIMCO Publications Maritime reference publications including the BIMCO Holiday Calendar, Cyber Security Manual, Check Before Fixing guide, the BIMCO Yearbook, and other industry reference materials available for download or order.
- BIMCO Data Exchange API Data exchange API enabling interoperability and industry data sharing between BIMCO's platforms and external systems.
- BIMCO Membership
- Biofuel Clause for Time Charter Parties
Quantifiable outcome
- Contract standardization reduces negotiation time and legal costs for shipping companies
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use BIMCO
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
BIMCO technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability4 records
Feature4 records
BIMCO partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- WISTA InternationalcoreBIMCO and WISTA International signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote diversity and sustainability within the shipping industry. This partnership focuses on advancing gender diversity initiatives and supporting environmental sustainability in maritime operations.
- Cosco ShippingminorBIMCO and Cosco Shipping launched a joint campaign to promote electronic bills of lading (e-bills of lading) across the shipping industry. This partnership aims to accelerate digitalization of shipping documentation.
- International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH)coreBIMCO collaborated with IAPH on developing the Port Call Optimization Guide, establishing standardized practices for vessel port calls and improving operational efficiency across ports worldwide.
- International Harbour Masters Association (IHMA)coreBIMCO partnered with IHMA on the Port Call Optimization Guide, working together to establish industry standards for harbour operations and port call procedures.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
BIMCO competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lloyd's Register: Lloyd's Register is a classification society and maritime advisory firm providing ship classification, regulatory compliance, and digital maritime services. Comparable to BIMCO as a long-established maritime standards body but operates on a commercial rather than membership-association basis.
- American Bureau of Shipping (ABS): ABS is a classification society providing ship classification, marine engineering services, and regulatory advisory. Comparable to BIMCO as a long-established maritime services organization with overlapping regulatory and standards-setting functions for shipowners.
- ClassNK: ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai) is one of the world's largest classification societies, particularly strong in Asian shipbuilding markets. Comparable to BIMCO in setting and enforcing maritime standards, though focused on vessel classification rather than contracts and policy advocacy.
- DNV Maritime: DNV is a classification society and maritime consultancy offering ship classification, certification, and digital maritime solutions. Comparable to BIMCO as a maritime standards and services organization with significant overlap in regulatory guidance and advisory services.
Direct peers
- International Chamber of Shipping (ICS): The International Chamber of Shipping is the principal international trade association for merchant shipowners and operators, representing approximately 80% of world tonnage. Directly comparable to BIMCO as a global shipping industry association with overlapping policy advocacy, regulatory representation, and member services.
- World Shipping Council: The World Shipping Council is a trade association representing the global container shipping industry, including major liner companies. Comparable to BIMCO as an industry association focused on container shipping with overlapping policy advocacy and standardization initiatives.
- INTERTANKO: INTERTANKO is the international trade association for independent tanker owners and operators, focused on the tanker segment of shipping. Comparable to BIMCO as a segment-specific shipping industry association providing contracts, regulatory advocacy, and member services to shipowners.
- International Group of P&I Clubs: The International Group of P&I Clubs is the umbrella organization for Protection & Indemnity mutual insurance associations serving shipowners. Comparable to BIMCO as a member-owned maritime organization providing collective services, guidance, and representation to shipowners on contractual and regulatory matters.
- INTERCARGO: INTERCARGO represents the dry bulk shipping industry, focusing on operators of bulk carriers. Directly comparable to BIMCO as a shipping industry association providing representation, technical guidance, and policy advocacy for shipowners in a specific segment.
Others
- WISTA International: WISTA International is a global network promoting diversity and professional development for women in the maritime industry. Connected to BIMCO through a formal MoU on diversity and sustainability initiatives; not a direct competitor but a thematic partner within the maritime industry ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
BIMCO social profiles
Digital presenceBIMCO financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BIMCO leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
BIMCO subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
BIMCO funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BIMCO M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BIMCO
What does BIMCO do?
BIMCO is the world's largest international shipping association, providing standardized shipping contracts and clauses (over 350 including GENCON and BARECON), the SmartCon digital contract management platform, the SHIP PI vessel performance tracking tool, professional maritime training courses, industry publications, and representation of the shipping industry before regulatory bodies for ship owners, charterers, and brokers across 120 countries.
Is BIMCO a public or private company?
BIMCO is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was BIMCO founded?
BIMCO was founded in 1905. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is BIMCO based?
BIMCO is headquartered in Bagsværd, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does BIMCO make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are contract and Clause Licensing and training Courses and Education.
Who are BIMCO's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Lloyd's Register, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), ClassNK and DNV Maritime. Direct peers are International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), World Shipping Council, INTERTANKO, International Group of P&I Clubs and INTERCARGO. WISTA International is listed as an others.
Does BIMCO have an API?
No public API is recorded for BIMCO.
What industry is BIMCO in?
BIMCO's product category is Maritime Trade Association Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLACABAL, Trade Compliance & Ocean Regulatory Services (Sanctions/Export Controls). Its NAICS code is 4883 and its SIC code is 4400.