Loss Prevention Committee

Marine underwriters increasingly have to demonstrate their value to customers, management and shareholders and their risk management capability is critical. In some markets loss prevention is a well-developed mindset, whilst in others it is still developing. The effective use of data analytics, improved risk assessment, pricing and application of loss learnings to reduce or avoid loss are vital, but the likely behaviour of the assured needs to be first and foremost on underwriters’ minds.

The Loss Prevention Committee strives to promote this message to IUMI’s members, identifying new solutions, thinking and techniques. Its role is to challenge areas where old and trusted responses are met with a lack of impact. The Committee’s objectives include raising awareness, informing debate, creating solutions and supporting IUMI and other industry stakeholders to make a real and positive impact.

Various topics

IUMI Discussion Paper - Containers lost at sea

IUMI Discussion Paper – Containers lost at sea (Published December 2021)

Amendments to the CSS Code: Guidance papers

Published January 2021

At its 102nd session, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee approved amendments to the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code) related to weather-dependent lashing, heavy cargo items and semi-standardised cargoes such as vehicles on ro-ro ships. The CSS Code is the IMO guideline for cargo lashing principles for non-standardised cargoes, meaning everything except containers and bulk cargoes. Various changes have been made to Annex 13 of the CSS Code during the revision process which were supported by IUMI. To provide an overview of what has been adjusted in Annex 13, IUMI’s German member association, Gesamtverband der Deutschen Versicherungswirtschaft (GDV) kindly provided the below concise summary document.

GDV Position Paper on the revision of Annex 13 of the CSS Code

Published September 2018

This position paper from the German Insurers’ Association (GDV) about the revision of Annex 13 of the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code) of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is supported by IUMI’s Loss Prevention Committee. The present version of Annex 13 was drawn up in 1995 to reflect the size and weight of the cargo units that were commonplace at that time. However, since this time, sizes and weights have in some cases taken on huge dimensions. The regulations in Annex 13 are therefore no longer adequate and experts are considering adapting Annex 13 to take account of these demands. This position paper outlines several solutions for exceptional cargoes.

Risks associated with the carriage of yachts as deck cargo

Published June 2018

By Roderick Johnson, Marine Risk Management Director, RSA and IUMI Loss Prevention Committee Member, and Mick Barras, Marine Risk Management Consultant, RSA

Life Science Shipments

Published December 2017

By Barry Tarnef, Vice President, Marine Loss Control, Chubb Insurance and member of the IUMI Loss Prevention Committee

Humidity Management during the Transport of Goods

Published October 2017

By Uwe-Peter Schieder, Liability, Credit, Marine & Aviation Insurance, Statistics, GDV, and member of the IUMI Loss Prevention Committee

Fit-for-Purpose Packaging for the Transport of Goods

Published October 2017

By Uwe-Peter Schieder, Liability, Credit, Marine & Aviation Insurance, Statistics, GDV, and member of the IUMI Loss Prevention Committee

Cold Storage Facilities

Published September 2017

By Mariella Dauphinee, CIP (Marine), BA, GradDip(MarLogMgt), Marine Claims Manager, Western Division at Intact Insurance Company and member of IUMI’s Loss Prevention Committee

Firefighting onboard containerships

IUMI submission on containership fire safety to the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE 10)

Published December 2023

The document which was jointly submitted by France, BIMCO and IUMI, assesses several risk control options (RCOs) related to prevention, detection, firefighting and containment of fires on board containerships as provided in the CARGOSAFE FSA study and recommends these to be further considered by the SSE Sub-Committee.

IUMI submission to the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE 8)

Published November 2021

This paper contains a proposal for a road map amending SOLAS Chapter II-2 to address firefighting capabilities on board container vessels.

Proposal for a new output for the fire protection on containerships

Published March 2020

This paper includes a joint proposal by Germany, Bahamas, BIMCO, CESA and IUMI to the IMO Maritime Safety Committee’s 102nd session to review the fire protection and fire detection measures onboard containerships.

Insurance related economic aspects of containership fires

Published March 2020

This document provides information about the economic aspects of containership fires, indicating the need to review the regulations in SOLAS chapter II-2 for the avoidance of damage to containerships, as well as containerized cargoes stowed under deck and on deck of containerships. The paper was submitted by IUMI to the IMO Maritime Safety Committee’s 102nd session.

Analysis of current safety regulations related to firefighting on board containerships

Published March 2020

This document provides further information for the assessment of the need to review the regulations in SOLAS chapter II-2 for the avoidance of damage to containerships and containerized cargoes stowed under deck and on deck of container ships. The paper was submitted by IUMI to the IMO Maritime Safety Committee’s 102nd session.

Analysis of fires and firefighting operations on container vessels, 2000 – 2015

Published February 2020

This dissertation by Helge Rath published in 2016 analyses 56 fires and firefighting operations on fully cellular container vessels over the period 2000 – 2015.

Conference presentations