About the Conference

Marine insurance, as part of the vast global insurance premium, has shrunk in relative size and dominance over the last thirty years. However, the strategic and importance to world trade remains paramount to governments, manufacturers, farmers, miners, traders, ship owners and port operators. At least 80% of world trade is moved across oceans and at some time those goods, vessels and the harbours they use are the subject matter of a Marine Insurance policy, and perhaps even a claim under that policy.

The advent of modern communications means that even a straight forward risk can be spread to insurers far and wide across the globe. In order to maintain the highest of professional standards in handling Marine losses the claims adjusters need to be able to communicate with each other freely. No forum or platform existed for such a dialogue to take place, although for many years Marine Underwriters have had an international organisation to foster relationships between markets. So after consulting many people from around the globe Charlotte Warr instigated the concept of an International Marine Claims Conference.

The inaugural International Marine Claims Conference, organised by Charlotte Warr, Ann Waite and Philip Cornick, was held in Dublin in 2004. Adjusters, Marine Surveyors and Lawyers from many parts of the world got together to learn about the claims philosophies of some of the major and not so major centres for Marine Insurance. The Conference concentrated on H&M issues and practices. The success of this Conference led to a repeat performance, by this team in 2005. In 2006 and 2007 the Conference was organised by Gill Langford, Ken Freeman, Simon Langridge and Steven Hill. Since 2008 the conference is back with the original team of Ann Waite and Charlotte Warr.

Each Conference has been held in Dublin, the first two on the coast at the Portmarnock Hotel, in 2006 at the Berkley Court Hotel, near Lansdowne Road and in 2007 and 2008 at the Grand Hotel in Malahide. The organisers feel this works extremely well for all delegates as communications and travel to and from all parts of the globe are possible and most delegates are removed from their own working locations. Irish hospitality and the Guinness are just additional factors that continue to make Dublin an attractive location for this event.