GENCON is BIMCO's most widely known and used voyage charter party for carriage of dry and general cargo.
A new version of this charterparty was launched in 2022, and one of the senior members of the Institute of International Shipping and Trade Law (IISTL), Professor Richard Williams, was a member of the sub-committee that was responsible for the drafting of the new version of this celebrated charter form.
As part of London International Shipping Week (LISW), the IISTL joined forces with BIMCO to organise a seminar at the new offices of HFW, putting key aspects of this charter form to critical legal scrutiny.
Professor Barış Soyer (the Director of the IISTL) was one of the moderators of the event, together with Stinne Taiger Ivo (Director of Contracts & Support at BIMCO), and other panelists included:
- Sir Bernard Eder (International Arbitrator and Mediator),
- Simon Rainey KC (Quadrant Chambers and Honorary Professor at IISTL),
- Magne Andreson (Nordic Defence Club),
- Brian Perrott (Partner, HFW),
- John Weale (Former Vice President of Fednav Ltd), and
- Helena Biggs (Senior Lawyer Gard).
The event was embraced by the maritime community in London and was a sell-out. Excellent observations and questions from participants ensured that the event was one of the highlights of the LISW.
After the event, the participants enjoyed drinks and canapes on the balcony of HFW’s new offices at Bishopsgate, providing excellent networking opportunities.
Another remarkable aspect of the event was the participation of the large number of Swansea LLM graduates working in London in the shipping sector. Seeing them occupying important positions in London was a very proud moment for the IISTL members participating.