Imua News

Bellingham, Wash. shipbuilder All American Marine (AAM) announced it has delivered a new research vessel for the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa on behalf of the Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB).The state-of-the-art research vessel, Imua, is a 68.5’ x 25’ semi-displacement aluminum catamaran hull that was developed by Nic de Waal of Teknicraft Design in Auckland, New Zealand. The vessel contains proven design elements found in the recently commissioned research vessels Blue Manta and Shearwater built for BlueTide Puerto Rico and Duke University…

Swire Shipping, trading division of China Navigation Company, announced it will be entering a new vessel sharing partnership from New Zealand to Tonga, Samoa (Apia), Cook Islands and Fiji. This market leading service will depart every 10 days from Auckland.“Swire Shipping has built up a strong reputation for itself as a market leader connecting the Pacific Islands to the world. Today’s launch will enable us to offer expanded global coverage into the Pacific Islands, as well as specifically providing New Zealand customers with a new direct service alternative. Our aim is to offer best in class and reliable services from all key trading countries and regions importing and exporting to the Pacific Islands…

XL Catlin today announced the promotion of Anne Marie Elder to the role of Chief Underwriting Officer Marine for the Americas region. Elder in her new leadership role now reports to Lee Meyrick, XL Catlin’s Chief Underwriting Officer for Global Marine, in London. Elder, who previously held the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer, Inland Marine in North America,  assumes the role formerly held by Richard DeSimone. DeSimone, who joined XL Catlin in 2011 to help build its North America Marine capabilities, retired from the company on December 31, 2015. According to Meyrick, “Under Rich’s leadership, we expanded our team in North America and created a comprehensive portfolio of Bluewater and Brownwater Hull…

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…

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.

Gina Domitrovich, AMIM, Senior Marine Underwriter, AIG Global Marine & Energy, is the first recipient of the new American Marine Claims Award, by Inland Marine Underwriters Association’s (IMUA). The award presentation was made closing ceremonies during IMUA"s 83rd Annual Meeting held in Buckhead, Atlanta, GA. As the winner of the American Marine Claims Award, Ms. Domitrovich will receive a $2,000 cash award and a stipend towards attendance at the International Marine Claims Conference held in Dublin, Ireland. The Award based on the developments of several educational requirements including the preparation of an essay. The award is supported by the following marine insurance associations: the American Institute of Marine Underwriters (AIMU)…

Grace D. Thomas, Senior Vice President at Great American Insurance Company and a former Chairperson of the Inland Marine Underwriters Association (IMUA), was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the association’s Annual Meeting held mid-May. Ms. Thomas was one of three individuals recognized by the IMUA. The others included Arthur L. Flitner, CPCU, Senior Director of Knowledge Resources at The Institutes – Excellence in Education; and Julie A. Saunders, Inland Marine Business Unit Audit Lead, Travelers – 2012 Outstanding Committee Person.

Underwriters, brokers, claims personnel and key industry suppliers converged on the Intercontinental Hotel in Buckhead Atlanta last week for the 83rd Annual Meeting of the Inland Marine Underwriters Association(IMUA). With more than 275 in attendance, the meeting officially got underway with the election of a new slate of officers. Peter Opinante, Swiss Re America, who has served as the Association’s Chairman for the past year, was formerly inaugurated for a second term. Also elected to serve a second term were Deputy Chairperson Michelle Hoehn…

The Inland Marine Underwriters Association (IMUA) annual meeting will be held in Atlanta, May 19-22, 2013 and will feature Parallel Track. The Parallel Track addition is specifically focused on newer, less experienced inland marine underwriting and claims personnel. Continuing education credits will be offered to assist producers and other interested parties in meeting their state insurance licensing requirements. The Parallel Track, which was first introduced two years ago at the association’s Chicago Annual Meeting, will consist of a series of seminars and workshops patterned after the IMUA’s Intro to Inland Marine Course and will run parallel to the more in-depth educational sessions being presented.

This year’s IMUA Annual Meeting’s keynote address will feature a presentation by Dan North, Chief Economist for Euler Hermes North America. Addressing attendees of the 83rd Annual Meeting, he plans to discuss what lies ahead for both the US and global economies and how it is impacted by monetary and fiscal policies. The 83rd IMUA Annual Meeting will be held May 19-22, 2013 at the Intercontinental Hotel in the Atlanta, GA suburb of Buckhead. Mr. North has been with Euler Hermes North America (EHNA) since 1996, using macroeconomic and quantitative analyses to help manage EHNA’s risk portfolio of more than $150 billion in annual U.S. trade transactions.

The Inland Marine Underwriters Association (IMUA is to hold a New York seminar covering key issues for underwriters. ·         The role of testing/listing parties and certificated vs. In making the announcement IMUA President and CEO, Kevin O’Brien, noted: “"This important session will give underwriters the tools to assess criminal risk and evaluate the adequacy of the security system. This in-depth analysis will take place on Thursday, February 21, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with breakfast and registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. EST. The cost is $90.00 per person or $75 per person as a remote distance learner. To register online click here.

Kevin O’Brien, President & CEO, of the Inland Marine Underwriters Association (IMUA), announced that the Board of Directors, at its recent meeting, has voted Peter Opinante to assume the Chairmanship of the Board.  Mr. Opinante, who served as Deputy Chair, fills the seat vacated by Sophia Philips who recently tendered her resignation for personal reasons. Opinante, who was scheduled to assume the Chairmanship at the IMUA’s upcoming Annual meeting this May in San Diego, CA, will now serve for an additional four months. The Board also voted that Michelle Hoehn, Travelers Group, to serve as Deputy Chairperson and Bill Rosa, XL Group, to serve as Vice Chairman.

The Inland Marine Underwriters Association (IMUA) announced it will be presenting for the first time AMIM 122, a 12-part comprehensive study of the primary inland marine classes of business, in webinar format beginning in the first quarter of 2012. The AMIM 122 course was developed by The Institutes (AICPCU) to provide the fundamental knowledge needed for professional competency in handling inland marine insurance. According to IMUA, the principal thrust of the content of this…

The Inland Marine Underwriters Association (IMUA) will be celebrating its 80th anniversary, during its annual meeting, this May at the Kingsmill Resort & Conference Center in Williamsburg, VA, May 16-19, 2010. Rich Soja, the current IMUA chairman, will kick things off by introducing Sophia Phillips, The Hanover Insurance Group, as the new chair of the IMUA. Ron Thornton, IMUA President & CEO, will be delivering the State of the Association report. Following these presenters will be a full schedule of educational sessions and trade show participation over the course of the meeting. On Monday, May 17, 2010 attendees will hear from the Chairman and CEO of Willis North America, Donald J.

“Old sailors never die, they just drop the anchor,” Robert J. “Bobby” Pfeiffer said over a decade ago as he was contemplating retirement. Pfeiffer, one of Hawaii’s most renowned sailors and captains of industry, dropped the anchor on Friday, September 26, 2003, at age 83, at his home in Orinda, Calif., after a lengthy illness. During his 12 1/2 years at the helm of Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., Pfeiffer became practically synonymous with business leadership in Hawaii. He charted a course of modernization and diversification, and led A&B through one of its strongest periods of growth and prosperity. At the same time he earned a reputation for leadership –– personal as well as corporate –– in support of charitable and other community causes.