As global trade stretches into more remote corners of the world, the entire maritime industry enjoys new growth opportunities. It also faces new challenges, unpredictable costs, and the ever-present potential for catastrophic loss. The speed of change keeps accelerating, requiring swift responses and greater operational efficiencies.
Marsh’s Marine Practice is a leading adviser to the maritime industry on risk and insurance issues. Our globally-coordinated team of nearly 600 maritime specialists places approximately US$3 billion in marine premiums globally, identifying cost-effective, often hard-to-find insurance solutions. We help you differentiate your risk profile, enabling you to better compete for insurer capacity.
With specialised marine expertise backed by industry-leading data, analytics, and benchmarking, we help determine and prioritise exposures and determine how much risk your balance sheet can comfortably retain. We use technology to develop innovative risk management solutions specifically for the maritime industry. And our dedicated marine claims staff helps to accelerate claims payments to maintain cash flow.
With Marsh’s Marine Practice, you can minimise total cost of risk, help protect your balance sheet amid business challenges, and stay competitive in an increasingly global marketplace.
Physical loss or damage to property that is owned, or for which an insured has responsibility at the time a loss or damage occurs, is considered the main (and most obvious) area of risk exposure. Fire, explosion, or ‘perils of the sea’ risks such as grounding, stranding, sinking, and capsizing, would be major risks for vessels. In some locations, war, strikes, piracy, or ice damage also pose risks. For goods being shipped by sea, there are the added risks of transit or wetting damage, theft, or short delivery – and all are common loss events. In addition to physical losses, liabilities incurred during maritime operations are a major risk exposure.
As economies emerge from pandemic restrictions, the health of port employees and visiting crews remains a major challenge. New ways of working, new technologies, and digitization present further challenges, but opportunities as well. Congestion and environmental regulations are also significant issues.
Cargo insurance primarily offers protection against accidental physical loss or damage while goods are in transit. However, it may be extended to cover goods in temporary storage, during their overall transit along the supply chain. Cargo insurance also typically offers additional cover for any general average or salvage charges that the cargo owner becomes obligated to pay.
To effectively manage port-related risks, businesses can consider:
The physical and mental well-being of seafarers is a top priority for the maritime community, more than ever. The Neptune Declaration, which aims to protect and promote the safety and well-being of seafarers, was recently issued. Many seafarers were stranded on vessels far beyond their employment contract date, leading to profound safety and emotional well-being risk. Marsh, along with more than 800 organizations, has signed the Neptune Declaration and in doing so is committed to bettering conditions for these essential workers.
Marine Practice Leader
Taiwan
