IUMI Annual Conference 2026 – Preview

IUMI Masterclasses offer three-and-a-half days of intensive learning, taking a deep dive into the key concepts of either cargo or hull insurance. Led by senior industry professionals, the Masterclasses are interactive, discussion-based workshops covering a broad and practical curriculum. Earlier this year, we took our Cargo Masterclass outside London for the first time, choosing Singapore as our venue. In this podcast, we hear from two of the participants: Mark Govender, Head of Marine, Sub-Saharan Africa at AIG in South Africa, and Joanne Soh, Senior Marine Underwriter, Asia Pacific at Sompo in Singapore. Mark and Joanne share their experiences of the Masterclass, explaining how it strengthened their technical knowledge, broadened their professional networks and gave them the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues from across the marine insurance community. Our next two Masterclasses – Hull and Cargo – will take place in London in October. Please visit https://iumi.com/category/learning/masterclass/ for full details.

The much-anticipated IUMI annual conference will be staged this year in Rotterdam 20-23 September. In this podcast we chat with Anneke Kooiman and Marko van Leeuwen representing the Dutch Association of Insurers; and Lars Lange, Secretary General at IUMI. DAI and IUMI are co-hosting the event and they give a unique preview of the conference and its surrounding social programme. They offer their thoughts on what speakers and delegates will be discussing, what’s hot and what’s not to be missed.

AI is no longer a future concept — it is reshaping industries across the globe and marine insurance is already on that course. From smarter risk assessment and faster claims handling to emerging opportunities and challenges, the impact of AI is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. In this podcast, our expert panel explores how AI is influencing marine insurance today, what innovations are already being adopted by insurers and how the industry could evolve in the years ahead. Join three members of the IUMI Data & Digitalisation Forum for an insightful discussion: Rahul Khanna, Allianz Lutz Weinlich, Jean Verheyen Kenneth Svendsen, Instech Solutions Tune in as they share perspectives on the opportunities, risks and future direction of AI in marine insurance.

Cargo crime has existed in most regions of the world for centuries. Until relatively recently, it has usually taken the form of theft, sometimes with aggression. Today, we are seeing a worrying growth of fraud and deception, encouraged by technology and AI. “Fake Carriers” are emerging to steal cargo non-violently but with great success.   This podcast explores the topic with the expert input of Thorsten Neumann, President & CEO of the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA EMEA) and Björn Hartong, Global Head of Risk Engineering Marine, Security & Supply Chain at Zurich Insurance. Björn is also a member of the IUMI Loss Prevention Committee.

Hegemony and violence are two strong words loaded with meaning. It’s not often they are connected with the world of marine insurance. But in his recent book, award winning author Tom Shinya charts the evolution of marine insurance from its origins to the present day and explains how its formative years were entwined in conflict, war and the race for global power. Aside from writing, Tom is well known as a Senior Expert in the Marine Underwriting Department at Tokio Marine & Nichido  Fire Insurance Co Ltd and he is also an IUMI Executive Committee Member. Tom is the guest in our latest podcast where he explains more about the fascinating growth and development of marine insurance. He brings to life some of the lesser known influences on our industry.

Late last year we were delighted to welcome the Latin American Association of Marine Insurance (ALSUM) as a full IUMI member. Their membership greatly enriches the IUMI community and will facilitate access to the Latin American marine insurance market giving mutual opportunities for knowledge sharing, education and networking. In this podcast, our Secretary General, Lars Lange, welcomes ALSUM and discusses future synergies with ALSUM President Arturo Posada. We also learn about the characteristics of the Latin American market and their ambitions for the future.  This fascinating podcast gives a unique insight into a growing and exciting marine insurance market. 

Two years ago we published guidance for the safe carriage of electric vehicles by sea. Much has changed since then and, as a result, we’ve updated our advice and issued a revised paper – available here: https://iumi.com/policy/position-papers/best-practice-paper-update-risk-mitigation-for-the-safe-ocean-and-short-sea-carriage-of-electric-vehicles/ In this podcast we are talking to two of the authors of the revised paper: Sebastian Kempka who is a senior consultant at KA Köln Assekuranz  and a member of IUMI’s Loss Prevention Committee; and Ricky Braz, a master mariner and marine underwriter at Munich Re. Our guests discuss the updates and revisions and offer solid advice to all those involved in transporting electric vehicles by sea, including marine insurers.

Modern slavery is a major human rights issues affecting many millions of people across the globe. Although illegal in every country, many industries are impacted including maritime. Despite being on the edges, marine insurers can still play a part in helping to reduce and ultimately eradicate this appalling practice. Pauline Des Vallieres, Chair of IUMI’s ESG Working Group and Hendrike Kühl, IUMI’s Policy Director join our latest podcast to discuss this pressing issue and to offer advice to all those working in our sector. Further reading: IUMI Information Paper: Modern slavery & forced labour: What marine insurers should be aware of: https://iumi.com/policy/position-papers/modern-slavery-forced-labour-what-marine-insurers-should-be-aware-of/ Global Slavery Index, Walk Free: https://www.walkfree.org/global-slavery-index/ Forced labour, modern slavery and trafficking in persons, International Labour Organisation: https://www.ilo.org/topics-and-sectors/forced-labour-modern-slavery-and-trafficking-persons Seafarers and Illegal Recruitment Fees: 2024 Insights, Institute for Human Rights and Business: https://www.ihrb.org/resources/seafarers-and-illegal-recruitment-fees Ocean Outlaw Podcast: https://theoutlawocean.com/podcast/slavery-at-sea

Tune into our latest podcast to get an update on the recently published IUMI statistics and analysis covering global premiums, loss ratios, market commentary and more. We feature Jun Lin, Chair of our Facts & Figures Committee and Veith Huesmann, our Chief Analyst. Together, they discuss the health of marine hull, cargo and offshore energy insurance amidst global change and uncertainty. Don’t miss it!

In our latest podcast we turn the spotlight on the Indian Marine Insurance market and we are joined by: Pratibha Jadav, Consultant at General Insurance Council of India Sujoy Maitra, Vice President & Head – Marine Insurance at ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co. Ltd. Jayati Roy, Deputy General Manager, Marine Hull, Cargo & Aviation Dept at The New India Assurance Co. Ltd. Amit Umrawala, Senior Vice President & Head – Marine at Tata AIG General Insurance Co. Ltd. We discuss the current status and future of Indian marine insurance as well as opportunities for investment. We debate the similarities and differences with international markets as well as local customs and practices; and we highlight the plans and ambitions that India has to continue to grow, develop and strengthen its market.