Chubb News

Rapid technological change, complex regulation and competitive pressures are driving digital transformation in the shipping industry. But navigating a confusing software landscape can be difficult, and sound decision-making is essential to minimize innovation risk, according to OrbitMI.Industry spending has soared in recent years on intelligent process automation solutions geared to boosting efficiency, reducing costs, curbing emissions and improving safety for shipping companies…

Pat Stoik will join insurer Ascot Group as Executive Vice President, Head of Marine, Ascot U.S., effective October 24. He will be based in New York and will report directly to Matt Kramer, Chief Executive Officer, Ascot U.S.An experienced executive in the marine industry, Stoik brings more than 35 years of senior management, underwriting, and broker experience to Ascot. Most recently, he served as Chief Risk Officer for Overhaul Group, Inc., a global leader in in-transit supply chain risk management…

Inmarsat sponsored a new report which explores the future of seafaring to 2050, a report that offers not just insights on connectivity, rather recommendations on how shipping, training institutions and welfare services can respond to the changing needs of tomorrow’s seafarers.Dubbed ‘A fair future for seafarers?’, the report was prepared by maritime consultancy Thetius. While published as the world still struggles with the impact of COVID-19, the report suggests epidemics and pandemics may become more common…

Challenge for start-ups and SMEs will fund and test application that helps improve the safety of deck operations, minimizes fatigue on board, reduces administration on board and improves overall crew welfare.Mobile satellite communications provider Inmarsat has joined forces with Shell Shipping and Maritime and maritime digital consultancy Thetius to launch a new ‘Open Innovation Challenge’ for start-ups and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The challenge aims to identify technology that can benefit crew safety…

A new report published by satellite communications provider Inmarsat examines the ways technology can benefit crew safety, health and wellbeing at sea, at a moment when COVID-19 has exposed the welfare of seafarers to global scrutiny.The report, "Welfare 2.0: How can the next generation of technology enable better crew safety, health and wellbeing at sea?", has been prepared by consultancy Thetius and follows an earlier "Trade 2.0" report focusing on the impact new technologies…

Better connectivity, easier data sharing and a thriving IoT start-up scene demonstrate that maritime digitalization is flourishing according to satellite service provider Inmarsat.For many, the lasting consequence of COVID-19 may be the upheaval it brought to the familiar rhythms of daily life. Thankfully the internet enabled a semblance of routine activity to continue, as they worked from home while their children attended digital classrooms.The outbreak forced us to work together yet apart through video conferencing and collaborative online platforms…

A new study, ‘A quiet revolution - the maritime innovation ecosystem in Japan’, explores the commitments to Internet of Things (IoT)-based ship and crew management already made by corporate Japan, then goes on to offer unique insights into the country’s emerging start-up culture.The report, sponsored by Inmarsat is the first in a series of in-depth profiles into maritime technology and start-ups in specific countries. It builds on ‘Trade 2.0: How start-ups are driving the next generation of maritime trade’…

German-based global cargo container shipping line, Hapag-Lloyd AG is expanding its digital product portfolio. As one of the first container shipping companies, Hapag-Lloyd is now offering its customers an online marine insurance."Quick Cargo Insurance" provides customers with tailor-made insurance offers around the clock. The insurance cover takes effect immediately upon conclusion of the contract."Not every cargo transported by sea is insured, yet. For instance, small and medium-sized customers often do not take out insurance for cost reasons. Our "Quick Cargo Insurance" proves that insurance does not have to be complicated and expensive…

International Container Terminal Services (ICTSI) Ecuador has launched the first transport insurance program for banana trade.Contecon Guayaquil SA, the Ecuadorian subsidiary of ICTSI, will be providing banana-exporters with a comprehensive insurance program, increasing coverage for the transport. ICTSI claims that Contecon Guayaquil SA (CGSA) is the world’s biggest banana export port.Designed according to the needs of Ecuador’s export market – SIE, Ecuador’s first integral insurance for banana exporters was launched recently through efforts of CGSA-led Logistics Community of the Port of Guayaquil (Comunidad Logistica del Puerto de Guayaquil – CLPG).Supported by RSA Seguros as advisers and multi-national insurers CHUBB and Zurich…

New research into maritime startups concludes that higher bandwidth connecting ships to shore at lower costs is empowering a new breed of single-minded innovators to bring the true benefits of digitalization to the shipping and offshore sectors, according to a report conducted for Inmarsat by UK GovTech venture firm and research house, PUBLIC, The report, ‘Trade 2.0: How Startups are driving the next generation of maritime trade’, co-authored by Nick Chubb and Leonardo Zangrando…

Konecranes startup program, REACH, which  seeks to find fresh ideas and opportunities for collaboration with some of the most innovative startups, scouted over 2000 startups.For the REACH Program’s finals, on December 12th, Konecranes selected four of the startups from REACH applications, and gave one fast pass to a startup found from Slush.Konecranes REACH Program’s finalists were CargoMate Technologies, DeepEyes, Nyris, Visualix and Xetal. All solutions had potential, but CargoMate Technologies and Nyris were the top two solutions that will proceed to pilots in early 2019.CargoMate Technologies provides shipping companies and vessel operators full visibility of cargo operations and predicts the earliest time a ship can leave port.

Allianz Group’s specialist corporate insurer Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) announced today that effective December 31, Henning Haagen will take over as North American Regional Head of Specialty Lines, and Rich Soja will become the North American Regional Head of Marine. These appointments follow the retirement of John Barnwell after more than 20 years with the company. While taking on these new responsibilities, both Haagen and Soja will continue in their current roles as Northeast Zone Executive in the U.S. and Global Head of Inland Marine, respectively. Since joining Allianz in 2008, Haagen has held a range of global leadership positions within the organization both in Munich and London…

XL Catlin continues to expand its inland marine field operations with the addition of Russell Crooks as Vice President, National Inland Marine Director, based in San Francisco and Maria Klein as senior underwriter in Baltimore. In his new role with XL Catlin, Crooks will liaise with brokers and clients throughout the western US to address their diverse inland marine insurance needs including motor truck cargo, builder’s risk, contractor’s equipment, and logistics inland marine products, among others. Most recently, he served as Chubb’s regional inland marine practice leader and underwriter.

Gate terminal and its shareholders Gasunie and Vopak are proud to announce that the LNG terminal at the Maasvlakte in Rotterdam has been expanded to include a third berth and special infrastructure for the loading of small LNG vessels. In conjunction with LNG bunker vessels, the new berth will in future also make it easier for ocean-going vessels to fill up with LNG in Rotterdam. As with other kinds of maritime fuel LNG can be pumped on board large ocean-going vessels using bunker vessels. These can now be loaded at Gate terminal which receives LNG from large LNG tankers arriving from several global origins. The use of LNG as a maritime fuel is being encouraged by the European Union, the Dutch government and the Port of Rotterdam because of its more environmentally-friendly properties.

RMS has published a new report examining the current state of cargo modeling in the marine market, and providing a new cargo-specific approach to the assessment of vulnerability and port accumulation. The report “Marine Cargo Catastrophe Modeling: Navigating the Challenges, Charting the Opportunities” precedes the May 2016 launch of the RMS Marine Cargo Model, the industry’s first marine cargo and specie risk model. In the last four years, records have been broken twice for total insured marine losses—first for Hurricane Sandy in 2012 at $3 billion, then the explosions at Tianjin last year, reported to be $5-6 billion. While these two events have underscored the need for the industry to a develop a much deeper understanding of the risks…

Venture will rebrand and integrate Tidal Solutions specialty commercial marine products into its portfolio of industry leading programs. Venture Insurance Programs, a national insurance program administrator, today announced it has acquired Tidal Solutions, LLC, a Charlotte, NC-based managing general underwriter serving the North American specialty commercial marine market. Venture will integrate the Tidal Solutions marine products into its portfolio of industry specific insurance programs. The products, which include Hull & Machinery, Protection & Indemnity, General Liability and Maritime Employer’s Liability coverage, will be marketed nationwide by Venture under the brand TIDAL MARINE through Venture’s agent and broker network.

Aquatic Engineering & Construction (AEC) appoints Martyn Conroy to Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region. Aquatic, an Acteon company, has the ability to lay flexible and semi-rigid product on the seabed, with wide experience of off- and onshore installations, transpooling and recovery and decommissioning. Conroy’s responsibilities in his new role will include leading sales and business development across the broader EMEA region. Additionally, he will share best practice and sales development opportunities with Bill Smart…

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said on Tuesday he has tapped former state Attorney General John Degnan to chair the board of the embattled Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The board's former chairman, David Samson, resigned in March amid reports that federal prosecutors in Manhattan were looking into a potential conflict of interest between Samson's role as chairman and his private law firm. The bi-state authority has come under intense scrutiny since the so-called Bridgegate scandal erupted early this year…

Troy Container Line Ltd., one of the largest American-owned NVOCCs, announced the expansion of its LCL Export Department with the hiring of Teresa Becker, Miguel Odria and Brian O’Malley in the company’s Red Bank, N.J. headquarters. Becker, Odria and O’Malley’s roles will focus on three key aspects of the business: documentation, customer relations and operations to meet the heightened demand of the company’s continually expanding exports division. “Our strength is in our team's shared dedication to our customers.

The Inland Marine Underwriters Association (IMUA) announced its summer Professional Development educational events for 2013 which includes workshops, webinars, courses and field trips. The program concludes with the two-day Introduction to Commercial Inland Marine Insurance course in September. In making the announcement, Kevin O’Brien, IMUA President & CEO, said, “We have prepared a variety of educational opportunities for both members and non-members alike to explore over the summers months. The IMUA summer Professional Development schedule kicks off with a one-day workshop jointly sponsored with AIMU on Thursday, July 25, 2013 in New York with Learn to Negotiate.

The Inland Marine Underwriters Association (IMUA) announced the 2014 dates for its Introduction to Commercial Inland Marine course. The two-day Introduction to Commercial Inland Marine course will be held at IMUA Headquarters, 14 Wall St., NYC, on September 19 & 20, 2013 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. This two-day introductory course is designed to cover the basics of commercial inland marine insurance, with emphasis on the largest/key inland marine classes of business. “This intense two…

Asset integrity and initiatives to tackle skills shortages are among the subjects to be discussed when Aberdeen City and Shire’s leading renewable energy industry body hosts a business seminar in Aberdeen today (Tuesday, October 18). Leading figures from five of Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group’s (AREG) member organizations will be highlighting and addressing current industry issues. They will also brief fellow members on recent developments and emerging solutions in their specialist areas.

Maritime Reporter talks with Bart Otten, President, United Technologies Corporation Fire & Security EMEA, at this year’s biggest maritime trade show, the Nor-Shipping Exhibition, regarding the company’s Joint Maritime Approach. Bart Otten heads the Fire and Security Business Unit of UTC in Europe, Middle-East and Africa both for the land and marine business sides. He is also in charge of United Technologies’ entire Marine business initiative. Based in the Europe head office in Brussels, Otten, a Dutch citizen himself, has worked within the UTC Group since 2007.