Iran Sanctions
30 January 2012
Posted in Blog
Tagged: Europe, Iran, oil, regulations, sanctions
As of 30 January 2012, the US has issued some important sanctions against a few major corporations and the EU has escalated its regulations on Iranian trade. Current US regulations allow tough measures to be taken against non-US entities involved in prohibited activities, wherever based, which include: the development of Iranian petroleum resources; assistance to [...]
Read more »Listed Areas update – Joint War Committee
12 December 2011
Posted in Blog
Tagged: Joint War Committee, Syria, war, war risks
The Joint War Committee in London has issued a new listed areas as at 8th December 2011 (JWLA019) amending the last revision that was made on 1st August 2011. The amendments are as follows:- The following area has been added • Syria The following areas have been deleted • Qatar • Ivory Coast • Mindanao, [...]
Read more »Piracy update 2011
9 December 2011
Posted in Blog
Tagged: armed guards, kidnap & ransom, marine insurance, piracy, Somalia
What follows is a short summary from FP Marine Risks’ updated piracy report, which is available by emailing info@fp-marine.com Over the course of 2011, piracy, particularly off the seas of Somalia, has refused to die down and continues to cause disruption to international trade and all enterprises involved in it. In the nine months to [...]
Read more »Sanctions Update – Iran
7 December 2011
Posted in Blog
Tagged: insurance, Iran, reinsurance, sanctions
In accordance with EU sanctions, (re)insurance is prohibited for the benefit of Iranian persons, entities, and bodies. Imports of refined petroleum into Iran are also not permitted. Additionally, from 21 November 2011, any transactions (direct or indirect) and business relationships with all Iranian banks, including their branches and subsidiaries, and the Central Bank of Iran [...]
Read more »Sanctions update – Syria
7 December 2011
Posted in Blog
Tagged: marine insurance, reinsurance, sanctions, Syria
Current sanctions against Syria are predominantly targeted at certain SDNs and the country’s energy industry. (Re)Insurance related to crude oil and petroleum products are strictly prohibited, which also includes hull policies for tankers or any other vessel involved in such activities. International restrictions are constantly changing and updates provided are by no means exhaustive. If [...]
Read more »West of England announces 5% General Increase for 2012
28 November 2011
Posted in Blog
Tagged: general increase, marine insurance, P&I
The Club has adopted a 5% General Increase for the 2012 renewal of both P&I mutual entries and charterers’ entry. The cost of the Group reinsurance programme will be charged additionally as usual. The forecast additional call for mutual entries is 30% payable in August 2013, with a further 30% for release call. All deductibles [...]
Read more »Shipowner’s P&I Club have adopted nil General Increase for 2012
21 November 2011
Posted in Blog
Tagged: general increase, marine insurance, P&I
For the second consecutive year, the Shipowners P&I Club board had decided that no general increase will be imposed on the mutual entries for the coming policy year. In addition, any increased costs in the reinsurance programme will be absorbed by the Club. Entries will be reviewed individually though according to the claims performance and [...]
Read more »Standard Club announces General Increase at 5%
10 November 2011
Posted in Blog
The Club’s board has decided to call a 5% General Increase on rates for the 2012 renewal, and anticipate many entries will have their rates adjusted to correct current premium levels. Any increase in the cost of the reinsurance programme will be passed on to Members as usual. At the same time, all deductibles will [...]
Read more »Gard announces a 5% General Increase
4 November 2011
Posted in Blog
Tagged: general increase, marine insurance, P&I
Gard’s Board has set the general increase for both P&I and FD&D mutual entries at 5% for the 2012 policy year. Changes in the cost of the reinsurance programme will be reflected in each Member’s premium. The deferred call is 25% of the advance call for 2012, and the 25% deferred call budgeted for 2011 [...]
Read more »Steamship announces 5% standard increase
3 November 2011
Posted in Blog
Tagged: general increase, marine insurance, P&I
The Steamship Mutual has announced a 5% standard increase for mutual and fixed business before any changes in the reinsurance costs are taken into account for the 2012 year. Standard deductibles will be increased to a minimum of USD5,000 and all deductibles below USD25,000 will be increased by USD1,000. Release calls for the 2009/10 and [...]
Read more »Britannia announces 5% General Increase
3 November 2011
Posted in Blog
Tagged: general increase, marine insurance, P&I
The Britannia Club has announced they will seek a 5% increase on advanced calls prior to any change in the reinsurance costs for the 2012 renewal. Such increases will be before any changes in the reinsurance costs. In addition, minimum deductibles have been set at USD7,500, USD1,500 and USD3,000 for cargo, crew and others respectively. [...]
Read more »UK P&I Club announces 3% General Increase
21 October 2011
Posted in Blog
Tagged: marine insurance, P&I
The UK P&I Club has announced a 3% General Increase for both fixed and mutual members for 2012, exclusive of any change in reinsurance costs which will be passed on to mutual Members. There is no Supplementary Call in excess of the mutual premium for any of the open years being 2009, 2010 and 2011 [...]
Read more »Best Management Practices for Somali Piracy BMP4
21 September 2011
Posted in Blog
Tagged: piracy, shipowners, Somalia
The latest edition of the Best Management Practices for Protection against Somalia Based Piracy, more commonly known as BMP4 has been released to the shipping industry after consultations with United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Office (UKMTO), EUNAVFOR, the NATO Shipping Centre (NSC) and INTERPOL. Whilst there are no radical changes, this being a progression from [...]
Read more »EU Sanctions against Syria
13 September 2011
Posted in Blog
Tagged: insurance, reinsurance, sanctions, Syria
On 2 September 2011, the EU stepped up its sanctions on Syria in response to the continued civil unrest. The Council of Europe has adopted Council Regulation (EU) No 878/2011 which amends Regulation 442/2011. The new sanctions prohibit the purchase, import or transportation from Syria of crude oil and petroleum products. The EU has also [...]
Read more »Libya Sanctions – update
13 September 2011
Posted in Blog
With effect from 2 September, the six port authorities in Libya that were subject to sanctions targets designated by the EU have now been removed from the Annex by Regulation (EU) No. 872/2011. The reason they are no longer subject to sanctions is that the National Transitional Council has affirmed its control over these entities.
Read more »EU Sanctions against Libya
25 July 2011
Posted in Blog
Tagged: Libya, ports and terminals, sanctions
On the 7 June 2011, the Council of the European Union agreed Council Decision 2011/332/CFSP which sets out their intention to freeze the assets of the following six port authorities in Libya (and which took effect on 17 June 2011): 1. Port Authority of Tripoli 2. Port Authority of Al Khoms 3. Port Authority of [...]
Read more »Crew Radiation Insurance – a welcome response to Fukushima
9 June 2011
Posted in Blog
We have previously written about the need for the insurance industry to respond to the requirements of shipowners, charterers and cargo interests in the face of the risk of nuclear contamination. Lloyd’s syndicate, Hiscox, recently took a step in the right direction by announcing the launch of their Crew Radiation Insurance. This new cover has [...]
Read more »Radioactive ships and cargo – the insurance industry should provide cover
5 May 2011
Posted in Blog
Tagged: Cargo, clauses, Hull and Machinery, insurers, nuclear radiation, shipowner, specialist, underwriting
In light of the Japanese earthquake and subsequent radiation leak, the insurance industry has been very quick to point out that radioactive exclusion clauses are paramount and apply to ship and cargo owners. However, we believe that there is a commercial and humanitarian case for providing an insurance solution for some nuclear incidents. The relevant [...]
Read more »Sanctions in respect of Libya
1 April 2011
Posted in Blog
Due to the ongoing situation in Libya, a number of new sanctions have recently been imposed; the United Nations Resolution 1970/2011, the European Union Sanctions and the United States Sanctions. Between them they place restrictions on the movements of the Qadhafi family and members of the Libyan regime believed to be linked to the suppression [...]
Read more »Container shortages exposing freight forwarders to delay costs
24 December 2010
Posted in Blog
Tagged: Cargo, freight forwarders, liabilities, marine insurance
A shortage of containers is causing concern for freight forwarders and other container users, particularly as the subsequent impact from delays or damage can lead to additional financial costs. Container manufacturers struggled to keep their factories open during the global economic slowdown and many were forced to close and lay off workers. The sudden turnaround [...]
Read more »New Incoterms 2010
20 December 2010
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Tagged: Cargo, ICC Clauses, Incoterms, trade
As of 1 January 2011, new Incoterms will apply replacing the 2000 version. They have been drawn up to reflect changes in international trade, security concerns, e-commerce and the increase in e-communications, as well as the spread of customs-free areas. Much emphasis has also been placed on making Incoterms easier to understand, and for that [...]
Read more »Japan Shipowners P&I Club announces 10% increase for 2011 P&I renewals
7 December 2010
Posted in Blog
The Board has decided to implement a 10% increase on the P&I advance calls rates, with any adjustment in the cost of the International Group reinsurance program to be added. Individual member’s loss record will be reviewed for renewal in light of the above general increase. The estimated supplementary call is set at 40% of [...]
Read more »Swedish Club sets General Increase for 2011
7 December 2010
Posted in Blog
The Board of Directors agreed a 2.5% General Increase on rate for renewal of P&I entries for the 2011-2012 policy year, whilst a General Increase applicable to their FD&D entry is set at 10%.
Read more »American Club announces 2% General Increase for 2011
26 November 2010
Posted in Blog
The board has decided that for mutual P&I entries, all expiring advance call premium will be subject to a 2% General Increase for 2011 renewal, whilst the mutual FD&D entries will be subject to a 10% increase on expiring advance call. Deferred calls for both P&I and FD&D are budgeted at 25%. Any additional costs [...]
Read more »West of England P&I Club sets General Increase for 2011 Renewals
16 November 2010
Posted in Blog
The board has decided to increase Members’ advance calls by 5% for 2011 P&I renewals, and will seek specific increases from Members with an adverse claims performance. In addition, the reinsurance costs will be payable at its actual cost. The forecast additional call for 2010 is 30% and the further release call is 30% of [...]
Read more »The London Club calling for 5% General Increase
16 November 2010
Posted in Blog
The Club’s Committee has decided to apply a 5% increase for the 2010/2011 Policy year, prior to further adjustments based upon individual records. Any adjustment to the reinsurance cost of the Club will also be applied to Members. The Release call rate is set at 15% of Advance Call. Additionally, all deductibles currently below USD15,000 [...]
Read more »Steamship Mutual announces no General Increase for 2011 P&I and FD&D renewals
16 November 2010
Posted in Blog
The Club’s directors have decided that no general increase will be sought this year, however individual Member’s record will be assessed as per usual. Any adjustment in reinsurance costs, whether upwards or downwards, will also be passed on to the Members. No general increase will be sought for FD&D either. Release calls have been set [...]
Read more »Shipowners P&I Club confirms no General Increase for 2011
16 November 2010
Posted in Blog
The Directors have decided that no general increase will be sought form Members for the 2011/2012 policy year. Nonetheless, the Club will take into consideration each individual Member’s claims performance and vessel sectors to seek specific premium increases. Additional call for 2010/11 is reduced to zero, and estimated additional call for 2011/12 is zero. For [...]
Read more »North of England calls for General Increase for 2011 renewal
16 November 2010
Posted in Blog
The Directors have decided to apply a General Increase of 3% to expiring premium rates, and Members with adverse loss records should expect higher increases. In addition, any increase in the cost of the International Group Excess Loss Reinsurance Programme will also be applied to Members. All deductibles for P&I Risks currently below USD5,000 will [...]
Read more »UK Defence Club sets General Increase for 2011 renewal
16 November 2010
Posted in Blog
The UK Defence Club has decided that a 2.5% increase in the premium rating will be sought from all Members for the 2011 policy year, prior to further adjustments based on Member’s records. For a full copy of the Club’s circular, please contact FP Marine Risks.
Read more »New hull syndicates in London signal good news for Assureds
4 November 2010
Posted in Blog
Tagged: capacity, Hull and Machinery, Lloyd's, marine insurance, premiums, rates
There has been considerable activity of late in the Lloyd’s Marine Hull Market. A series of underwriting groups are preparing to launch new Hull operations for the 2011 year of account. To date, we have heard confirmation of the following new entrants into the Marine Hull sector : 1) Barbican 2) Canopius 3) Liberty [...]
Read more »Gard announces no General Increase for 2011 P&I renewal
29 October 2010
Posted in Blog
The Board of Gard has advised that no General Increase is required for mutual P&I entries at the 2011 renewal, whilst a 10% General Increase for FD&D mutual entries has been decided. Individual premium rating will be dependent on the Member’s loss record and risk profile, and will be further adjusted according to the International [...]
Read more »Britannia calls for 5% General Increase for P&I renewal 2011
22 October 2010
Posted in Blog
The Committee has decided to increase the existing advance call rates by 5% for P&I entries and in addition the Members’ individual rates will be adjusted based on the cost of the International Group reinsurance program, as well as their individual claims’ records. The deferred call for 2010 is 40%. The Club will also continue [...]
Read more »Skuld abandons principle of “General Increase”
22 October 2010
Posted in Blog
The Club has decided to abandon the principle of a “General Increase”, instead focusing on the performance of individual members’ records to decide on increases at renewal. They believe this approach is more in line with other sectors of the marine insurance industry, however they are keen to stress that this should not be taken [...]
Read more »Standard P&I Club announces 2011 General Increase
22 October 2010
Posted in Blog
The Standard P&I Club board is seeking a 3.5% general increase in premium rates for 2011’s P&I renewal, whilst members with adverse records should expect their premiums to be further increased. Rates will also be adjusted following any increase in the International Group reinsurance program costs. Deductibles below USD10,000 will be increased by USD1,000. Regarding [...]
Read more »UK P&I Club sets General Increase for 2011
22 October 2010
Posted in Blog
The UK P&I Club has decided that a 5% increase in the premium rating will be sought from all Members for the 2011 policy year, plus any increase in the costs of the International Group reinsurance premium for the mutual Members. As far as deductibles are concerned, the standard minimum deductible will remain at USD5,000 [...]
Read more »EU Sanctions against Iran
16 August 2010
Posted in Blog
Tagged: Europe, Iran, sanctions, shipping, trade
Following the CISADA sanctions, the UN, EU and UK have issued separate sanctions against Iran along similar lines. The EU sanctions ban European companies from investing in Iran’s oil and gas industries, while restricting trade and financial links including barring any European company from providing insurance services to Iranian entities. The EU sanctions go further [...]
Read more »Sanctions against Iran
9 August 2010
Posted in Blog
Tagged: insurers, Iran, sanctions
Earlier this year, the President of the United States signed legislation known as the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act of 2010 (CISADA). The sanctions prohibit the trade of petroleum products to Iran and seek to limit the provision of “goods, services, technology, information or support that could directly and significantly facilitate the maintenance [...]
Read more »Underwriters buoyant despite recession
26 April 2010
Posted in Blog
Tagged: insurers, losses, recession, soft market, underwriting
Despite some dire predictions from certain quarters of the market over the last year or so, marine insurers have yet again celebrated a good year with reports of healthy profits coming in from many underwriters. Whilst the harsh realities of the global economic downturn have struck the shipping and trading industries, the predicted knock-on effects [...]
Read more »Uninsured cargo lost in fire
15 April 2010
Posted in Blog
Tagged: accumulation, Cargo, losses, uninsured
As reported in this week’s Asia Insurance Review, a large fire broke out last Saturday at the Inland Container Depot in South Delhi with estimated losses in the region of USD22 million to USD44 million after approximately 600 containers were damaged by fire, water and the collapse of burnt warehouses. It is believed that the [...]
Read more »Cargo accumulation hazard, precipitating large losses
29 March 2010
Posted in Blog
Tagged: accumulation, Cargo, freight forwarders, insurers, losses, reinsurance, storage
Significant accumulation of cargo is exposing cargo owners, freight forwarders and marine underwriters to the possibility of catastrophic losses. Freight stations and warehouses can each contain hundreds of millions of dollars worth of goods that are at risk of becoming total losses from perils such as fire, flood and wind. Earlier this year, a serious [...]
Read more »London leads liability, Asia yet to respond
22 February 2010
Posted in Blog
Tagged: Asia, liabilities, Lloyd's, London, underwriting
There is no doubt that Asia is a highly competitive market for traditional marine hull insurance. We have mentioned in previous blogs how shipowners are in a good position to secure well-rated insurance from competitive Asian insurers as a way to offset the rises being sought in London. However, in terms of marine liability programmes [...]
Read more »Norwegian Plan updated for 2010
15 February 2010
Posted in Blog
Tagged: P&I, piracy, renewal, shipowner
The Nordic Association of Marine Insurers (Cefor) has now released the 2010 version of the Norwegian Marine Insurance Plan (NMIP) updating their 2007 version. Whilst there would not appear to be any fundamental changes, owners may wish to be aware of the following. Cefor has sought to clarify the relationship between the NMIP and the [...]
Read more »Asian capacity allows shipowners to fight London rises
1 February 2010
Posted in Blog
Tagged: Asia, capacity, London, premiums, shipowner
The recent renewal season highlighted how international insurance markets and shipowners were handling the changing economic conditions, with the London market seeking rises, whilst shipowners pressed for lower premiums, providing opportunities for other markets, such as Asia. The global downturn’s effect on trade has meant shipowners are facing further pressures to reduce costs, including reducing [...]
Read more »London Steamship calling for 5% General Increase
31 December 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: P&I
The Club’s Committee has decided to apply a 5% increase on 2009 Estimated Total Cost for the 2010/2011 Policy year, prior to further adjustments based upon individual records. Any adjustment to the reinsurance cost of the Club will also be applied to Members. The Release call rate is set at 15% of Advance Call. Additionally, [...]
Read more »West of England P&I Club sets General Increase for 2010
31 December 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: P&I
The board of the West of England P&I Club has decided to increase Members’ advance calls by no less than 5% for 2010 P&I renewals, and will seek specific increases from those members with adverse claims records. In addition the reinsurance costs will be payable at its actual cost. The forecast additional call for 2010 [...]
Read more »Skuld applies 5% General Increase for 2010
31 December 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: P&I
Renewals on all mutual classes will be subject to a general increase of 5% for 2010, although Members will be individually rated based on their loss record and risk exposure. At the same time, the Club is seeking an increase in deductibles of a minimum USD2,500. Any changes in the Club’s reinsurance costs will be [...]
Read more »Marine consequential loss insurance gaining importance in difficult times
15 December 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: Advanced Loss of Profits, Cargo, consequential loss, Delay in Start Up, losses, project cargo
Many infrastructure projects require that often expensive and sophisticated equipment must be installed and operating to capacity soon after it arrives on site. Many major infrastructure and mining operations involve the import of key equipment valued at hundreds of millions of dollars. These items are ordered to arrive on site on specific dates in order [...]
Read more »The Japan Ship Owners’ Mutual P&I club requests 12.5% increase
3 December 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: P&I
The Board of Directors at The Japan Ship Owners’ Mutual P&I Association has decided to implement a 12.5% increase on the P&I advance calls rates, with any adjustment in the cost of the International Group reinsurance program to be added. Individual member’s loss record will be reviewed for renewal in light of the above general [...]
Read more »American Club announces nil General Increase for 2010
23 November 2009
Posted in Blog
The board of the American Club has decided no increases in advance calls for 2010 will be sought for P&I and FDD mutual entries, whilst the supplementary call forecast will be increased slightly from the current 20% of advance calls for 2009 to 25% of advance calls for 2010. Any additional costs of the Club’s [...]
Read more »North of England calls for General Increase for 2010
23 November 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: P&I
The Directors have decided to apply a General Increase of 5% to expiring premium rates, and Members with adverse loss records should expect a higher increase. In addition, any increase in the cost of the International Group Excess Loss Reinsurance Programme will also be applied to Members. All deductibles for P&I Risks will rise by [...]
Read more »Britannia calls for 5% General Increase for 2010
23 November 2009
Posted in Blog
The Committee has decided to increase the existing advance call rates by 5% for P&I entries and in addition the Members’ individual rates will be adjusted based on the cost of the International group Reinsurance Programme, as well as their individual claims’ records. The deferred call for 2010 is 40%. The Club will also continue [...]
Read more »Shipowners P&I Club to pass on increased reinsurance costs to pooled members
11 November 2009
Posted in Blog
Further to the Club’s reinsurance costs rising over the past 3 years, particularly in relation to the Club’s contributions to Pool claims, the Directors have decided that Members’ P&I premium should be increased at 2010 renewal by 5%. This increase will only apply to the vessels declared to the Pool, i.e. those with a limit [...]
Read more »The Standard P&I Club announces 2010 General Increase
11 November 2009
Posted in Blog
The Standard P&I Club board will be requiring a 3% general increase in premium rates for 2010 P&I renewal, whilst members with adverse records should expect their premiums to be further increased. Rates will also be adjusted following any increase in the International Group reinsurance program costs. The managers have also received instructions to increase [...]
Read more »Steamship Mutual sets general increase for 2010 P&I renewal
11 November 2009
Posted in Blog
The Club’s directors have set the standard increase for P&I at 5% prior to assessment of individual Member’s profile. Any adjustment in reinsurance costs, whether upwards or downwards, will also be passed on to the Members. No general increase will be sought for FD&D. It is anticipated that there will be no further call to [...]
Read more »UK P&I Club sets General Increase for 2010
11 November 2009
Posted in Blog
The UK P&I Club has decided that a 5% increase in the premium rating will be sought from all Members (mutual and fixed premium) for the 2010 policy year, plus any increase in the costs of the International Group reinsurance premium for the mutual Members. As far as deductibles are concerned, although a majority of [...]
Read more »Gard announces no general increase for 2010
30 October 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: P&I, premiums, shipping
The Board of Gard has decided that no general premium increase will be required for mutual and fixed premium P&I entries for the 2010 year. This is not to say that Gard will not be seeking increases, simply that those increases will be dependant upon each individual member’s exposure and loss record. In addition, any [...]
Read more »The London P&I Club changes arrangements for collection of calls
28 October 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: P&I
The London Club has issued notice that, from 2010, the Club will quote on the basis of an Annual Call, which will include both the Advanced and Deferred Call. The Club will continue to collect over a deferred period, likely to be 30% in March 2010, 30% in July 2010 and 40% in December 2010 [...]
Read more »West of England announces results of mid-year review
28 October 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: P&I
The West of England has confirmed that the 2007/8 year will now be closed without any further Calls applying. In addition, the Release Call for the 2007/8 year will be reduced from 30% to 15%. The 2008/9 year’s 45% Additional Call remains in place, due to be debited in January and August 2010, whilst the [...]
Read more »Britannia P&I Club announces 2010 general increase
28 October 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: P&I
The Britannia P&I Club has announced they will be seeking an Advanced Call increase of 5% for the 2010/2011 year with Members being advised to budget for a 40% Deferred Call. The increase in Advanced Call is before any changes in the International Group Reinsurance rating and individual Member’s loss records. In addition, the 2006/7 [...]
Read more »Rotterdam Rules
5 October 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: Cargo, contracts of carriage, liabilities, Rotterdam Rules, shippers, trade
Recently 16 states signed up to the new Rotterdam Rules which concern contracts of carriage wholly or partly by sea. The Rules have been designed to regulate marine cargo liabilities internationally and may ultimately replace the Hague Rules, the Hague-Visby Rules and the Hamburg rules in those countries that are signatories to those conventions. The [...]
Read more »P&I Clubs report heavy losses from investments
11 September 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: P&I, underwriting
Back in April we wrote that shipowners should consider their P&I club’s investment portfolio carefully; the recession has resulted in falling equity markets and therefore lower investment incomes for P&I Clubs who invested heavily in the markets. The result of this meant we were likely to see a more technical approach to underwriting and rising [...]
Read more »P&I Clubs report heavy losses from investments
11 September 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: P&I, premiums, underwriting
Back in April we wrote that shipowners should consider their P&I club’s investment portfolio carefully; the recession has resulted in falling equity markets and therefore lower investment incomes for P&I Clubs who invested heavily in the markets. The result of this meant we were likely to see a more technical approach to underwriting and rising premiums [...]
Read more »Sydney yacht fire raises questions of marina operator’s liability
3 August 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: liabilities, losses, marina, yacht
The recent fire in Pittwater near Sydney, Australia, in which six yachts were destroyed by fire and parts of a marina damaged, has highlighted the importance of marinas and shiprepairers being appropriately and sufficiently insured for the work being undertaken. It is believed that the source of the fire came from the equipment a contractor [...]
Read more »Falling ship values highlights importance of value adjustment rates
3 August 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: insurers, premiums, risk, shipowner, shipping, value adjustment rate
As shipowners will know all too well, ship values have continued to fall; at FP Marine Risks we have seen some reductions of up to 50% in recent months. However, the consequent reduction in premium varies widely among insurers and it is important that shipowners are aware of the basis of that variation in premium [...]
Read more »More shipowners enjoying benefits of Asian placement in these difficult times
30 June 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: Asia, capacity, insurers, shipowner, shipping, underwriting
Shipowners with smaller fleets, smaller vessels or lower values can still benefit from an Asian insurance placement as world markets become more competitive. Some believe that Asian-based underwriters are dedicated to the Asian-based shipowning market (putting aside Japan and Korea’s involvement in the large fleets) to the exclusion of non-Asian tonnage. Whilst this may have [...]
Read more »“Swine flu” cruise ship raises questions of insurance
13 June 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: cruise, swine flu, trade disruption
At the end of May 2009, Pacific Dawn, a P&O cruise ship that operates out of Australia, had to change its itinerary after three crew members were found to have the H1N1 virus (swine flu). The individuals were put into isolation and treated, but in order to minimise the spread of the disease, the cruise [...]
Read more »World marine insurance markets remaining soft despite recession
1 June 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: IUMI, premiums, recession, soft market
In February, we wrote in this blog about the stark forecasts coming out of IUMI (International Union of Marine Insurance) regarding the global recession and the effects it was likely to have on pricing levels. The report was bleak, with slower demand and falling freight rates forcing shipowners to find efficiencies across the board, and [...]
Read more »Lay Ups in Singapore – no sign of increasing premiums
28 May 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: P&I, ports and terminals, premiums, shipowner
Earlier this year, the American P&I Club issued a members alert regarding lay ups in Singapore. It refers to a general indication that Singapore’s port has become congested with laid up vessels and that members should be aware of an increased risk of collision. It appears that most claims have resulted from mis-calculating the strength [...]
Read more »Maersk Alabama – existing policies may not have responded to cover ransom
15 April 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: General Average, Gulf of Aden, Hull and Machinery, kidnap & ransom, Maersk Alabama, P&I, piracy
The Maersk Alabama made the news for many reasons after it was attacked by pirates recently, not least because it was the first American-flagged vessel to be hijacked in the Gulf of Aden. The crew was able to recapture their vessel, but the captain was taken as sole hostage on a lifeboat at sea. Uniquely, there [...]
Read more »Owners recommended to consider Club’s investment portfolios
3 April 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: P&I, shipowner, underwriting
While economic times were good, Protection and Indemnity Clubs were able to use positive investment income, mostly drawn from exposure to equity markets, to reduce their calls to members whilst simultaneously growing their free reserves. The income allowed shipowners to enjoy reduced premiums even when there was an increase in claims activity, because of the [...]
Read more »Container Lessors insurance available through new markets
18 March 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: container leasing, credit insurance, trade
In the face of mounting losses, insurers in the Marine market have recently been withdrawing insurance that protects container leasing companies against the insolvency or default of their shipping company clients. However, for several years FP Marine Risks has been successfully arranging an alternative product that meets the needs of container lessors whilst being more [...]
Read more »Charterers feeling the crunch risking all to keep costs down
18 March 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: charterer, legal costs, liabilities, losses
Many charterers on time charter trip (TCT), short term time or voyage charters are seeing a downturn in volumes, freight rates and consequently profits. Costs are being squeezed all the way down the chain and charterers are looking to find ways of reducing their expenses, but if their insurance seems a tempting cost to sacrifice, [...]
Read more »New ICC Clauses making it clearer for cargo clients
17 March 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: Cargo, ICC Clauses
At the beginning of the year, the new ICC Clauses became available to the Market after a two year consultation. The overall result has been to create clearer policies that are more favourable to the Assured. In the Opinions section of this website, we have provided a summary of some of the more noteworthy changes [...]
Read more »Currency fluctuations creating inadequate marine insured values
9 March 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: currency exchange rates, exporters, importers, recession, shipowners
The world economic crisis is playing havoc with currency exchange rates. The implications of significant fluctuations can be serious, particularly for shipowners, importers and exporters because their marine insurance may no longer cover them for the full amount in the case of loss or damage. A recent Australian marine insurance claim involved the total loss [...]
Read more »Lay up returns or cancelling returns only on Hull and Machinery policies
2 March 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: Hull and Machinery, lay up, shipowner, shipping
As freight rates and trade volumes have dropped, an increased number of vessels are being laid-up whilst owners reduce costs and sit out the current downturn. Some estimates suggest this is affecting up 9% of the world container fleet. So, what’s the most premium efficient way to manage a lay-up? The Institute Time Clauses – [...]
Read more »World insurance markets not yet hardening in response to the global recession
19 February 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: charterer, claims, hard market, IUMI, recession, shipowner
In January, IUMI (International Union of Marine Insurance), warned of bleak times ahead as the industry prepared to face the impact of a global slowdown. Slowing demand and lower freight rates are forcing shipowners and charterers to cut costs and find efficiencies. Inevitably, marine insurers will feel the effects through increasing claims, and pressure on [...]
Read more »Claims expected to rise as recession deepens
19 February 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: Cargo, claims, commodity prices, recession, shippers
We have not witnessed any significant increase in the number of claims since the first signs of a recession last year. However, it is commonly the case that claims do rise in slowing economies and we expect to see that trend returning this year. Lowering worldwide consumer demand has already heavily impacted commodity prices. Profit [...]
Read more »Negotiations arise when changing technical management
13 February 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: shipowner, shipping, technical management
As some insurers become more conservative in their approach to risks, what might have been a simple request to agree to a change of technical management is fast becoming a more difficult negotiation. One of the aspects an underwriter will consider when rating or accepting a risk is the identity of the technical manager and [...]
Read more »New shipping regulations in the US
9 February 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: Cargo, Homeland Security, importers, regulation
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently implemented new regulations for cargo security that will affect companies involved in the importation of products into the US. These regulations have been designed to help identify high-risk shipments as early as possible. Known as the Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements Regulation, it requires marine [...]
Read more »New two-way shipping lane in Gulf of Aden
30 January 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: Gulf of Aden, piracy
The London-based International Maritime Employer’s Committee announced that on 1 February 2009 a two-way system will come into force in the Gulf of Aden. This will apply specifically to the “High Risk Area” security corridor. All vessels will be directed to transit the Gulf via the East and West bound lanes, in response to the [...]
Read more »Insurance premiums expected to rise on back of piracy
29 January 2009
Posted in Blog
Tagged: charterer, Gulf of Aden, Hull and Machinery, piracy, shipowner, Somalia, war
There is an expectation that insurance premiums are due to rise as marine piracy continues to affect major shipping routes. Whilst the increase in naval presence has helped lower the rate of attacks, there have been a number of high profile pirate attacks on vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden which have been settled via [...]
Read more »Recent articles
20 July 2011
What has changed in the marine insurance markets over the last year? And can Assureds expect to see these soft markets continue?
14 July 2011
We recommend ways for freight forwarders to ensure the liability insurance they purchase will protect them when they need it most.
Press releases
11 May 2011
FP Marine Risks and Oceanic partnership announced, creating an expert network of marine specialists serving the Australasian retail and wholesale markets.
29 April 2010
FP Marine Risks builds direct retail business in Australasia through acquisition of specialist cargo insurance agency
Opinions
26 March 2009
26 November 2008