Club Members News

Members of the North and Standard Clubs have voted to approve the merger between the two marine insurance firms, creating one of the largest providers of mutual cover in the maritime industries.The P&I clubs, which revealed plans to merge earlier this year, each held special general meetings on May 27 where members voted to greenlight the move to join forces as a single, larger mutual insurer. Pending regulatory approval, NorthStandard is expected to come together as a unified…

Mutual P&I insurer The Standard Club said it has enhanced its data and insight capabilities as part of a two-year upgrade program."We have looked hard at how we can use technology and data to better serve our members, with a particular focus on supporting risk selection and pricing, and on delivering new member services," said Dipo Oyewole, the Standard Club’s Performance and Strategy Director.The data upgrade program has enabled the club to improve its modeling of risk through application of advanced modeling techniques and new data sources, it said.

The subchapter M towboat rules, safety management systems, and an emerging culture shift on the inland waterways brings with it a fresh look at how to manage risk. Is it time for P&I clubs to return to brown water? And should inland operators welcome them home?A mass exodus from the inland marine sector by P&I clubs in the mid-1990’s was precipitated by many things. Today, these very same vessels have been put under the subchapter M regime, and most are adapting SMS as a culture in the process. Moreover, and without a doubt, the environmental record of this sector has improved 99% since the 1970’s. As all of that unfolds, the P&I clubs have begun to look at this sector more closely and…

If you’ve been working in the marine insurance industry lately, you will have heard about “blockchain” at some point; it is the electronic, distributed ledger, notoriously known for enabling the use of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether. But the blockchain technology’s utility goes beyond cryptocurrencies, potentially offering creative ways to solve other real-world problems. Within blockchain ledgers, the use of ‘smart’ contracts essentially converts contractual obligations into lines of computer protocols, which facilitate, verify, or enforce its performance.

In a move designed to support owners in difficult trading conditions, for the second year running The Swedish Club has announced a zero percent general increase for the up-coming P&I renewals 2017-2018. Speaking at the Club’s Board meeting in Bangkok, Lars Rhodin, Managing Director of The Swedish Club, said that entered tonnage on the P&I side of the business was sustaining controlled growth, a continued appreciation from the Club’s members for the zero general increase previously declared for 2016/2017.

Rose City Yacht Club, a long-standing private marina and social club along the Columbia River in Portland, Ore., recently took delivery and startup of a new 8-inch Badger Class dredge from Reserve, La.-based DSC Dredge, LLC. The Badger dredge was a much-needed replacement for an older dredge the club had purchased used and had operated for more than 20 years. After researching its options, the yacht club’s members decided in early 2015 to order the Badger Class dredge, which is manufactured at DSC’s Greenbush, Mich., facility. The Badger is an 8-inch cutter suction conventional-style dredge.

Poor’s has revised its outlook on Steamship Mutual to Positive from Stable. The A- financial strength rating has been reaffirmed. • the rating could be revised to A if a longer track record of extremely strong capital and stable earnings is demonstrated. “The Club’s underwriting performance and capital strength compare very favourably with the highest rated Clubs in the International Group. The Board is committed to maintaining this strong position which gives security to the Club’s Members.

Oceanex Inc. was named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies Gold Standard Members in 2014. This national award is sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC, National Post, Queen’s School of Business and MacKay CEO Forums, and recognizes Canadian owned and managed companies with revenues over $10 million for sustained growth, financial performance, management practices and efforts of the entire organization. “I would like to congratulate Oceanex Inc. and its entire workforce. Achieving this standard of excellence takes a united effort from a dedicated team…

The UK P&I Club board has agreed at its meeting on October 27, 2014 that the general increase for the 2015 renewal will be 6.5%. The premium rating increase is in addition to any change in the cost of the international group reinsurance premium for 2015 for the mutual members, which will be determined next January. In setting the general increase, the UK Club board said it is mindful of the balance between the needs of the club’s members and its commitment to maintaining balanced underwriting and sound financial planning. The 2013 year has proved to be one of the most expensive claims years of the last two decades, the club said. Alan Olivier…

'Garnishment' is the legal term relating to the collection of a monetary judgement on behalf of a claimant from a defendant. In the Philippines, this routinely occurs before the case has concluded and is central to the UK P&I Club Members' many concerns relating to crew claims in this jurisdiction. The International Group Personal Injury Sub-Committee's - Philippine Working Group (on which the UK P&I Club's Tony Nicholson sits), has been monitoring the prejudice caused to owners & employers for a number of years, in addition to seeking to educate all interested stakeholders about the need for an equitable solution, to this continuing problem.

According to estimates, of the nearly 475m metric tons of rice produced globally in 2013, the largest producers were China (30% of the total) and India (22%). However, most of the rice produced in these countries is consumed domestically. By contrast, the largest exporters of rice since 2008 have been Thailand, Vietnam, India and the US (at just under 10%). Overall, it is reckoned that only 5-6% of global rice production is transported internationally. Nevertheless, even this figure represents a significant volume of global trade. In its latest loss prevention initiative, the American Club has published Transport Guidance for Bagged Rice…

Estimated increase of renewal premium of seven percent. For many UK Club Members, subdued earnings and a lingering shipping recession remain an unwelcome fact of life. However, UK Club premium needs to address underlying claims inflation, as well as a future pick up in claims frequency from what have been record low levels. Hugo Wynn-Williams, Chief Executive of Thomas Miller P&I, the UK P&I Club’s managers, said, “It has been another good and solid renewal for the UK Club marked by continued controlled growth for a third year in succession whilst preserving a disciplined approach to underwriting.

A new addition to the existing catalogue of the American P&I Club’s e-learning modules covers compliance with the mandatory requirements of the IMO’s International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. Speaking in New York, Dr William Moore, senior vice president of Shipowners Claims Bureau Inc. (the club’s managers), said, “The aim of this timely initiative is to provide club members with relevant and useful training tools for safety and environmental protection compliance.

The Standard Club will address an audience of over 120 Turkish shipowner representatives and brokers on the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) at a seminar at the Turkish Chamber of Shipping in Istanbul on Wednesday, November 6, 2013. Turkey is expected to ratify the MLC in the near future. The seminar will also cover other current topics of interest to shipowners including Electronic Bills of Lading. The MLC 2006, which came into force on August, 20 2013, is currently ratified by 47 countries representing 76pc of the world’s gross tonnage. Oliver Hutchings, Syndicate Claims Director, and Simon Hart, Claims Executive will provide an update on how Turkish shipowners can meet the requirements of the MLC…

The UK Club is providing a package of the International Shipping Federation’s (ISF) guide publication “Guidelines on the Application of the ILO Maritime Labour Conventions (2nd edition)” and the Lloyds Register/UK Club “ILO MLC pocket checklist” free to all its members. Both publications focus on helping employers ensure compliance with the ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), which enters into force in six months’ time on 13 August. UK Club Loss Prevention Director, Karl Lumbers, explained:  “The MLC represents a significant change to the regulation of employment terms and working conditions for seafarers. It consolidates and updates more than 65 international labour standards adopted over the last 80 years.

The UK Club has launched its “iPANDI” iPad based app to provide up to date underwriting information for members and their insurance brokers, even when on the move. The iPANDI app downloads underwriting data via the Club’s IT systems and presents it conveniently in both graphic and table formats. The data can be viewed off line, for example on planes or away from the office. Security is maintained by a unique licence key to access member information. The licence key is only entered once to initiate the data download to the iPad.

The American P&I Club’s latest e-learning tool module has been released to members. This is the introduction to the American P&I Club’s latest e-learning tool that has been produced by Shipowners Claims Bureau Inc., the managers, in association with IDESS IT, and is aimed to reinforce onboard safety advice. The new module, 'The Case of the Invisible Assassin', focuses on the hazard of entering enclosed spaces on bulk carriers – which represent the largest tranche of vessels entered in the club. The module is a companion to 'The Case of the Silent Assassin', that dealt with enclosed spaces on tank vessels, released in 2011. All the club’s modules are accessible wherever there is an internet connection, or through the shipboard Plug&Pay system.

Turkish authorities implemented a revised Pollution Fine Tariff that will apply to pollution incidents taking place in this calendar year. In an urgent alert to American P&I Club members, the managers, following advice from their correspondent in Turkey, Vitsan A.S., Istanbul, recommend that shipowners and their masters take all possible steps not to cause any pollution by leakage/spillage of any kind of materials (ie, paint, oil, bilges, clean and dirty ballast, all kinds of residue, garbage, dirty water, sewage, water, laundry water with detergent, lavatory soap water, shower water, dust, rust, etc.) during ship visits to Turkey. The very stiff fines…

The North of England P&I Association Limited (North) and Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance (SMMI) Company Limited are discussing a possible merger. The decision by the boards and senior management teams of the two north-east England based mutuals follows a strategic alliance, by way of a reinsurance contract between the two companies, which commenced in January 2012. North’s chairman Pratap Shirke said, “As a result of the business similarities between North and SMMI and their complementary global operations, we have now agreed in principle to investigate the practicalities of a merger. SMMI’s chairman Trevor Hart said, “SMMI and North…

The North of England P&I Association Limited (North) and Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance (SMMI) Company Limited are discussing a possible merger. The decision by the boards and senior management teams of the two north-east England based mutuals follows a strategic alliance, by way of a reinsurance contract between the two companies, which commenced in January 2012. North's Chairman Pratap Shirke says, ‘As a result of the business similarities between North and SMMI and their complementary global operations, we have now agreed in principle to investigate the practicalities of a merger.

One of the most pressing problems for the bulk shipping industry is the safe carriage of nickel ore. The increasing demand for this commodity is fuelled by China’s thirst for nickel ore as it is the principal alloy component for stainless steel. Chinese nickel ore imports have spiraled from nearly 5m metric tons (mt) in 2006 to near 50m mt in 2011. The bulk of these imports come from Indonesia, with the Philippines now running very close behind. But this fast-expanding trade has been marred by the heavy price paid in terms of lives and vessels lost. In August, the 2012-built Trans Summer sank off Hong Kong, but all 21 crew were saved by rescue helicopters. All these vessels were carrying nickel ore from Indonesia to China.

Surrounded by pleasure boats and other vessels, the 887-foot long, 58,000-ton battlewagon was towed through the bay and passed under the Golden Gate Bridge. Crowds watched from both sides of the bridge as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sockeye provided an official escort and the San Francisco fireboat Phoenix led the way. At the St. Francis Yacht Club on San Francisco’s shoreline, officers and crew members of the USS Decatur, outfitted in their dress whites, saluted as the Iowa drifted past, Rogers said.

The UK P&I Club is absolutely committed to maintaining a vibrant loss prevention program and its latest move is a new DVD that places a specific focus on the Bow Tie concept - a comprehensive risk assessment initiative which helps members identify and prioritize risk across their whole fleets. According to the Club’s Loss Prevention Director, Karl Lumbers, the DVD, titled ‘No room for risk’, will be a very effective form of communication when conveying the Club’s risk prevention messages to ships’ crews and managers…