On 9-10 December, the General Insurance Council and the National Insurance Academy hosted the 2025 India Marine Conclave on the NIA’s beautiful campus in Pune, also known as “The Oxford of the East” due to the many academic institutions which are based there.
Under the theme “Navigating the Waves of Change: Exploring Marine Insurance Frontiers” the conference brought together marine insurance thought leaders, practitioners and innovators from India and abroad. The sessions looked at global dynamics, with IUMI Secretary General Lars Lange setting the tone through his theme address on geopolitics, emerging technologies and sustainability trends that are reshaping the sector.
Discussions on contract certainty, underwriting challenges, war and strikes as well as dedicated case studies on pharmaceuticals and bulk cargoes added in-depth insights. The lively exchanges between the expert speakers and participants were particularly engaging and instructive. The panel on market headwinds moderated by Sanjiv Singh, former Chair of IUMI’s Education Forum, brought together experts from India, allowing debate and exchanges on the evolving marine insurance landscape in India. It was also great to see IUMI Technical Committee members Bharat Virmani and Sujoy Maitra present and participate in the programme.
Forward-looking sessions on AI, digital standards and new approaches to risk management highlighted how technology and innovation are redefining marine insurance. IUMI Executive Committee member Tom Shinya contributed two presentations to this important section of the Conclave’s agenda. Hendrike Kühl discussed IUMI’s advocacy efforts to improve fire safety onboard containerships and to enable the safe carriage of electric vehicles.
The event was an excellent example of how collaboration and knowledge-sharing can enhance the marine insurance community. Thank you to our hosts from GIC and NIA, particularly Sibesh Sen and Jayashree Shridar, for enabling IUMI to be part of the programme and to learn about the growing Indian marine insurance market.
