Hull casualty frequency stabilising; cargo insurance firming-up; offshore energy prospects improving.
Against the backdrop of encouraging global economic growth and an improved outlook for the shipping industry, the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) gives expert opinion on the current state of the hull, cargo and offshore energy insurance markets at its Spring Conference in Hamburg.
The past three years has seen the frequency of total losses within the global fleet stabilise at 0.13% by number (0.05% by tonnage). This is largely attributable to an improved safety climate, improvements in naval architecture and marine engineering; and more effective regulation. Total losses involving vessels younger than 15 years were significantly less during the 2013-17 period than the years 2008-2012. The frequency of serious casualties* has increased since 2014 but appeared to be stable in 2016-17.
Concerns within the hull insurance market remain, however: "All hull markets acknowledge the severe volatility inherent in a typical international hull portfolio," says Mark Edmondson, Chair of IUMI's Ocean Hull Committee. "The global premium base has been eroding year-on-year as a result of reduced asset values, reduced activity in some sectors, and reduced premium rates. Although the financial impact of major casualties was modest recently, increasing values of single risks bear the potential risk of new record losses, and attritional losses are a growing concern."
Alongside risks inherent in operating ever larger vessels, IUMI is also concerned about advances in the digital applications involved with naval architecture and the operation of vessels – particularly crew training and their ability to manage cutting edge technology and large amounts of data. IUMI is seeing evidence that the frequency of collisions is increasing, possibly resulting from the introduction of modern technology.
Cargo insurance
The marine cargo insurance market is improving and stabilising but remains highly competitive with an abundance of capacity.
Amongst the many challenges facing the line are larger and more complex risks, natural catastrophes (NAT CAT), vessel and port accumulations and larger outlier losses. The sector is facing a commoditisation of speciality lines, an increase in broker facilities with high commissions and rising expense ratios. Additionally, underwriters must comply with sanctions and requirements for globally compliant programmes including locally admitted policies where required.
Cargo underwriters are being stretched to evolve and improve their products, explains Sean Dalton, Chair of IUMI's Cargo Committee. "The modern cargo policy has been significantly enhanced to include storage extensions, broad policy valuations and coverage provisions such as Control of Damaged Goods that provide for 'fear of loss' and 'brand protection'. As underwriters we are being challenged to improve our approach and utilise tools such as third-party data, sensor technology and predictive analytics."
"Cyber is also a concern", says Dalton. "Most policies remain silent on cyber issues, but the recent Maersk NotPetya attack highlights potential exposures and consequences. Policies that raise the greatest potential risks include Freight Forward Liability cover such as NVOCC Legal Liability, Indirect Air Carrier Liability and Errors and Omissions."
Cargo losses
2017 saw the worst NAT CAT losses in history for the property and casualty (P&C) insurance sector – these were caused by hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Nate and Maria, the earthquake in Mexico, monsoons in Bangladesh, storms in Durban and wildfires in California. Since many marine insurers are part of larger P&C companies, they were also affected by these NAT CAT losses and now face increasing pressure to improve results. The losses come immediately after earlier, large outlier claims including the Amos 6 satellite, Tianjin port explosion and the insolvency of Hanjin.
Offshore Energy
A 25% increase in the oil price has encouraged an upturn in offshore exploration activity which is starting to impact positively on the offshore energy insurance sector. Similarly, the oil price rally has increased the value of "loss of production" insurance purchased. However, Chair of IUMI's Offshore Energy Committee, James McDonald, remains cautious: "Capex growth is mainly confined to the US shale market where insured values are considerably less than those achieved offshore. That said, we expect to see an increase in premiums associated with mobile offshore drilling rigs as they come out of lay-up. But day rates for floaters and jack-ups remain well below their earlier peaks due to continued over-supply."
Offshore losses
Loss activity offshore remains low. Hurricane Harvey bypassed the heavily populated Gulf of Mexico and large losses, in general, were minimal. A worrying trend for construction sector losses involving buoyancy devices seems to be developing, however. Attritional losses continued to track at a low rate due to reduced activity and improved health and safety practices. But this might reverse as rigs are reactivated.
IUMI's opinions of the marine insurance markets were given at the association's Spring Conference in Hamburg 18-19 March 2018.
*Note: Serious casualties are defined by Lloyd's List Intelligence (and independent of the casualty's cost) as: Sinkings, groundings where hull damage has been reported, structural damage rendering the vessel unseaworthy, i.e. penetration of hull under the waterline, significant spillage of oil, severe fires causing damage, vessels towed into port, collisions where damage is reported, incident causing any significant delay.
