Baltic and International Maritime Council
The Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) is the largest of the international shipping associations representing shipowners; its membership controls around 65 percent of the world’s tonnage and it has members in more than 120 countries, including managers, brokers and agents. The association’s main objective is to protect its global membership through the provision of quality information and advice, and while promoting fair business practices, facilitate harmonisation and standardization of commercial shipping practices and contracts.
In support of its commitment to promote the development and application of global regulatory instruments, BIMCO is accredited as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) with all relevant United Nations organs. In an effort to promote its agenda and objectives, the association maintains a close dialogue with governments and diplomatic representations around the world, including maritime administrations, regulatory institutions, and other stakeholders within the areas of EU, the United States, and Asia.
BIMCO also conducts various training programmes around the world for the Maritime Community.[1]
BIMCO EDUCATION
BIMCO Education offers a number of live courses (master classes, seminars, workshops, shipping schools) and online eLearning courses throughout the year.
Summer Shipping School
This course, held for the first time in July 2002, is a recurring event, taking place in Copenhagen during a full week in June/July. The course combines workshops and lectures to provide participants with an in-depth knowledge of the commercial aspects of shipping, its problems and their solutions. Fully residential, this course aims at attracting young people with limited knowledge of the shipping industry from all over the world. The course is an excellent way of obtaining invaluable business contacts and friendships through the workshops and social activities.
A similar course is held in the Far East and is known as BIMCO Asia Shipping School.
Masterclass Workshops
This concept consists of six modular workshops focusing on key aspects of maritime commerce: Dry Cargo Laytime and Tanker Laytime, Bills of Lading, Time Charter, Agency and Sale & Purchase. The workshops will provide participants with a thorough grounding in the principles and pitfalls of each core subject. The workshops are designed for participants who already have some shipping experience and who wish to broaden their knowledge of the industry. As such, the workshops are well suited to the development of existing and future decision makers who require a solid grounding in the mechanics of modern commercial practice.
Each workshop in the series consists of three full days of presentations by industry experts, combined with group discussions and case studies. Participants are expected to and will be encouraged to contribute actively to the group discussions. At the end of each workshop, participants may take a short “open book” exam to assess their level of understanding of the subject matter. This assessment leading to the award of a BIMCO diploma will be of value to employers and employees alike in demonstrating the effectiveness of the training and knowledge attained.
Documentary Seminars
BIMCO is the world’s principal organisation responsible for the development of maritime contracts and other related forms. It has been estimated that over three quarters of transactions within the shipping industry take place using BIMCO approved forms.
In the past, we have conducted these 1-2 day seminars on NEWBUILDCON, SUPPLYTIME and SHIPMAN/CREWMAN 2009.[2]
BIMCO eLearning Diploma Programme (BeDP)
Currently, there are six eLearning course topics as follows:
- Introduction to Shipping
- Bills of Lading
- Time Chartering
- Voyage Chartering
- Tanker Laytime and Demurrage
- Dry Cargo Laytime and Demurrage
The eLearning platform has the digital book and online Library containing useful resources. Each course has a dedicated expert tutor, and three webinar courses are held during the course with the tutor and fellow students. Each eLearning course runs for 3 months, except for Introduction to Shipping, which is for 6 weeks.[3]
What is BeDP?
BeDP is a web-based training, which brings together content, curriculum, quizzes and examinations, putting them at the student’s fingertips. BeDP enables students to build on their knowledge, acquire increased professional competencies and ongoing personal development at their own time and place. It is a new and exciting educational tool which will deliver the best possible lectures, covering all aspects of the contemporary maritime industry. Online course meetings are held at designated times with tutors providing targeted guidance and instruction. Training onsite via eLearning does away with classroom costs, travel and hotel expenses, making training that much more affordable. Each training module represents approximately three months’ training – about 30-40 study hours – followed by a final, written examination leading to the award of a BIMCO Certificate. Four certificates can be combined to achieve the BIMCO Diploma.
How do people interact in BeDP?
The students are encouraged to interact with the tutor and the peers studying the same module in the Forum. The tutor and the BIMCO Administrator monitor the forum and the feedback areprovided by the tutor within 48 hours. Each of BIMCO's eLearning module is taught by highly qualified experts.[4]
The students have pre-scheduled online access to the Webinar session. The tutor discusses issues arising out of course lectures as well as the case studies.
Our webinars are open to all students studying in that module. Students can participate in the webinars or view recordings of past webinars.
Is the academic standard of the BeDP as high as the other BIMCO courses?
All the BeDP modules have specifically been developed for eLearning purposes and in many cases by the same experienced tutors we have used for BIMCO Courses.
Is BeDP accredited? The BIMCO Diploma Programme gives credit points, recognised by a number of selected maritime universities with which BIMCO co-operates, while longer BIMCO courses provide further accreditation. Students who receive the BDP Certificate and BIMCO Diploma can be exempted from some relevant courses if they participate in the master and/or MBA program at the Shanghai Maritime University or the School of Law, Shanghai Maritime University or at the School of Law, Dalian Maritime.[5]
References
- ↑ BIMCO Maritime Training
- ↑ "BIMCO". www.bimco.org. Retrieved 2015-09-25.
- ↑ https://www.bimco.org/Education.aspx
- ↑ "BIMCO eLearning tutors".
- ↑ "BIMCO". www.bimco.org. Retrieved 2015-09-23.
2. www.bimco.org
3. www.imo.org