Introduction: Hendrike Kühl, Policy Director, IUMI

Hendrike Kühl is Policy Director at the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI). In this role, Hendrike supports the development of IUMI’s policy and advocacy efforts and is in charge of coordinating IUMI’s qualification and education programmes.

Prior to her position at IUMI, Hendrike was heading the Brussels office of the Trans-Atlantic Business Council, a trade association representing American and European corporations vis-à-vis the European Commission and the U.S. government agencies. Hendrike holds a BA in European Studies from Royal Holloway, University of London.

Brian F. Murphy, Senior Vice President – Head of Marine, Berkley Offshore Underwriting Managers

Brian Murphy is Senior Vice President – Head of Marine at Berkley Offshore Underwriting Managers (a W.R. Berkley company), based in New York City. He is a former chair of the Hull Committee for the American Institute of Marine Underwriters (AIMU) and currently serves on their Board of Directors. He serves as Chair of the Legal & Liability Committee for the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI).

Brian holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY as well as the Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in Marine Insurance Management (AMIM) designations, and maintains his U.S. Coast Guard license (Third Mate – Unlimited Tonnage – Continuity Only). He lives on Long Island with his wife, Jeanne, their three children, and one large dog. He is an avid golfer and loves saltwater and freshwater fishing.

Eftychia Tsakou, Vice President Claims, Norwegian Hull Club

Eftychia Tsakou is the Vice President Claims at Norwegian Hull Club, overseeing the Southeast Europe portfolio. With over 20 years of experience in the shipping industry, she has been with Norwegian Hull Club for 4 years, managing marine claims primarily from Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, and Germany. Previously, Eftychia worked for shipowners in Greece, Cyprus, UK and Norway as Insurance & Claims Manager and Ship Operator for tanker, bulk, and container fleets. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Shipping Operations, an LLM in Commercial and Maritime Law, and an MBA in Shipping and Logistics. Eftychia is also a member of the Salvage committee in IUMI.

Dionysios Tsilioris, Research Analyst, URSA Shipbrokers

Dionysios Tsilioris has a background in Maritime Studies and a Master’s in Shipping Management from the University of Piraeus. A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, he started his career in shipping with a digital dry cargo chartering start-up before joining URSA Shipbrokers in Piraeus, Greece. Initially working on the Ship Sale and Purchase desk, he later took on a role in developing URSA’s Research desk, which now includes two analysts.

His work focuses on tracking developments in the dry bulk freight market, including vessel trends, commodity flows, and broader economic factors. URSA’s research publications have been well received within the industry and are often republished in shipping media, while his personal contributions on maritime affairs have appeared in the Financial Times.

He has experience giving presentations, taking part in panel discussions, and contributing to conversations on topics such as China’s energy landscape, coal imports, and carbon regulations in shipping. He has also lectured on dry bulk markets in professional shipping education programmes.

Nick Coleman, Vice President, Global Claims Lead Hull, Gard AS

Nick is an experienced professional in marine insurance and claims management, currently serving as Vice President, Global Claims Lead Hull at Gard since 2015. He has previously worked for other insurers and a major Norwegian shipowner. He holds degrees in Chemistry, Law and Marine Insurance & Risk Management, along with several professional courses related to maritime disputes and leadership. He is a member of IUMI’s Salvage Forum and acted as chair from 2021-2025. He also lectures on the one-year CEFOR course and sits on the examination committee for the same course.

Lorenzo Lonoce, Founder – Managing Partner, Rely Marine and Energy Experts

Lorenzo graduated in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 2002 and earned a master’s degree in Marine Technology from the University of Strathclyde in 2003. He worked with V.Ships until 2015, progressing from Assistant Superintendent to Technical Director and later Managing Director of the cargo vessel division in Monaco. He oversaw fleets including bulk carriers, tankers, cable-laying vessels, and PSV (DP II) vessels, while also managing newbuilding projects for Aframax tankers and MR product carriers in South Korea and Europe. In 2015, he founded GME, providing services to Italian and international maritime insurers. In 2020, he co-founded Rely Marine & Energy Experts with Giuseppe to expand global marine and energy consultancy services. He is a member of SNAME and IMarEST.

Giuseppe Averame, Managing Director, Rely Marine and Energy Experts

Giuseppe earned a degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the University of Genoa and obtained his professional qualification in 2001, followed by training at V.Ships. During the 2000s, he worked as a surveyor for Det Norske Veritas and Registro Italiano Navale, gaining international experience in Lisbon and Rotterdam and conducting inspections worldwide. Since 2008, he has been part of Studio Tecnico Averame, the family business established in 1947. After developing extensive expertise in marine claims for Italian and international insurers, he co-founded Rely Marine & Energy Experts with Lorenzo in 2020. Giuseppe also holds several professional qualifications in marine surveying, naval construction, and casualty investigation, and is a member and former board director of AIPAM.

Paul Rowland, Director, Richards Hogg Lindley

Paul joined E.R. Lindley (now Richards Hogg Lindley) as an average adjuster in 1977. He is principally involved with adjusting marine claims including general average, particular average, loss of hire, third party recoveries, etc. Paul is a Fellow (and past Chairman) of the Association of Average Adjusters and currently sits on various Association committees.

Rui Hao, Average Adjuster, Richards Hogg Lindley

Rui joined Richards Hogg Lindley as an average adjuster in 2013. He is based in RHL’s London office, having previously worked in the firm’s Liverpool, Hong Kong and Shanghai offices. Rui is a Fellow of the Association of Average Adjusters and sits on the Association’s examination committee.