The London P&I Club has confirmed that, as at February 20, 2003, claims for the 2002 policy year were ten percent lower than for the 2001 policy year, and thirty per cent lower than for the 2000 policy year.
Writing in the latest issue of its London Club News, the Club says the downturn in claims over recent years is “a great source of encouragement”. It adds that this positive trend, coupled with an improving fleet age profile and the Club’s proven ability in a difficult market to maintain calls in line with original estimates for many years, “bodes well for the continuing success of the London Club”.
In April, the
London Club Committee reaffirmed an initial supplementary call for the 2003/2004 policy year of forty per cent for the P&I class, in line with the estimate first advised in November 2002.
Paul Hinton, Chief Executive of A Bilbrough & Co, managers of the London Club, says, “Financial stability is of fundamental importance to the London Club, its managers, and its members. The Club’s sound financial base and the steps taken towards supporting its reserves, without recourse to third-party financing, are crucial elements in maintaining its overall strength.”