BIMCO REJECTS NEW CHARTER PARTY FOR SUGAR SHIPMENTS

   The Baltic and International Maritime Council has urged its members not
to use a new sugar charter party contract designed by the sugar industry.
   "The Sugar Charter Party 1999, released earlier this year, promises to
create a number of problems for any shipowner considering its use," the
association of shipowners said.
   BIMCO accused sugar traders of having revised an earlier version of the
sugar charter party without BIMCO’s input.
   The new document is "highly unbalanced" and "includes a number of points
that put the (ship) owner at a significant disadvantage," BIMCO said. It
also fails to take account a number of standard clauses, which are
otherwise widely accepted in the industry, the association of shipowners
said.
   BIMCO said that shipowners should continue to use the 1994 edition of
the "Gencon" charter where possible.