In a move designed to increase the shipping community’s awareness and use of mediation techniques in resolving disputes, BIMCO has developed a Standard Dispute Resolution Clause by incorporating a comprehensive Mediation Clause in to its widely used Standard Law and Arbitration Clause. A specialist BIMCO Working Group consisting of experts with particular expertise in maritime arbitration and mediation were responsible for the drafting work. The London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) and the Society of Maritime Arbitrators, Inc, of New York (SMA) provided valuable input and comment throughout the process. In shipping industry terms Mediation remains a relatively new dispute resolution technique, although it has gained widespread approval in other sectors.
