BIMCO’s popular online charter party editor, idea, has reached new heights this year with over 1,000 companies using the system. The popularity of idea is due to its simplicity and ease of use plus the fact that it has the widest range of electronic standard forms of contract available on any current system. The clever use of Internet technology allows every user of the system to have the very latest version of the software and access to the newest documents the instant they are available, without having to “upgrade” the software themselves.

Idea is simple to use because it provides electronic templates of charter parties and other standard shipping forms in Microsoft Word format using a specially customised version of the ubiquitous Word program operating in a secure environment over the Internet. Navigating through lengthy documents and checking cross-references is made easy by the addition of webpage style hyperlinks. Additional clauses can be added by individual users either from the huge library of standard clauses built in to the system or by uploading their own clauses into their personal accounts. Edited and amended charter parties are sent by e-mail at the click of a button. Idea is available to members and non-members on a subscription or pay-as-you-go system – tailored to the way you work. For more details visit the “idea” section of our website or contact our sales team on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .