Page 24: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (March 2018)

Angus Frew, Secretary General, BIMCO oices

Angus FrewAngus Frew

Secretary General, BIMCO

BIMCO’s Secretary General & CEO Angus Frew spent some time with Maritime

Reporter & Engineering News to discuss the burning topics of the day in maritime … environmental regulation, digitalization & cyber security, and reducing the ad- ministrative burden on the ship’s master. We left no stone unturned for the man who recently had his contract extended to the end of 2022 to remain at the helm of the world’s largest international shipping association.

BY GREG TRAUTHWEIN

Many of our readers surely know BIMCO, but to Perhaps this is obvious, but why would I want to to our members. kick things off, can you give me a ‘by-the-numbers’ join BIMCO? We also have “Shipping KPIs” which allows a ship overview of BIMCO today? We offer a wide range of practical tools and ser- owner to benchmark operations against others with a BIMCO is a not-for-pro? t organization. We are a vices to our members. We are a very practical organiza- similar size and type of ship. That is also free of charge. very well-capitalized organization, and we aim to rein- tion. Clearly, we are well-known as leaders in devel- Members must commit to enter data, but in return you vest our funds in products of value to our members. We oping contracts, standard contracts and clauses for the can get some really important benchmarking data to have a staff of around 55 members in four locations – shipping industry. help you see if you are as ef? cient as you would think. two in Asia, Singapore and Shanghai – we are a global organization. We have around 2,000 members in 120 Given the practical nature of BIMCO’s services, as Have there been any new service offering introduc- countries, (reinforcing the point that) we are global. Of shipowners are increasingly stressed to keep on top tions of late?

the 2,000 members, 800 are ship owners, 700 are bro- of new regulations, do you see a growing importance We have just launched – three weeks ago in Sin- kers, and the rest are made up of agents and other as- of your practical services to your members? gapore – our new contract editor system called Smart- sociates. We have more than a billion deadweight tons Absolutely. It is something that we’ve always of- Con, which uses the latest standard industry software. in membership, representing around 56% of global ton- fered, but since I’ve been onboard it has been a point In fact, Microsoft (are) happy because we are using nage at the end of 2016. (Note, that is a growth from of focus. If you are negotiating a contract and you are their latest products.

2014 to 2016 of 54 to 56 percent on a tonnage basis). not sure if you should give in on something, our support Our membership covers the three major sectors: and advice team is just a phone call or an e-mail away. From what I’ve read, environmental regulation, containers, tankers and bulkers, and as you’d expect, This is free to the members. Another simple one is if promoting digitalization, and reducing administra- we work very closely with other associations, in partic- you’ve got an undisputed debt, we can help you recover tive burden on the ship’s master are three areas of ular the International Chamber of Shipping, Intertanko that. In 2017 we helped recover 3.2 million dollars on focus for BIMCO, is that correct? and Intercargo. behalf of our members, and that is another free service Yes, that’s absolutely right. 24 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • MARCH 2018

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