Ole Wikborg (President)
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Phone 0047 22 47 72 70
Fax 0047 22 47 72 75
Norwegian Hull Club
P.O.Box 1290 Vika
0111 Oslo
Norway
Dear Reader,
It has now been some time since my latest contribution to President’s Page and also a while since this year’s IUMI conference in Paris. Like most people with numerous responsibilities – seemingly increasing by the day – time flies much quicker than one expects. Now the Holiday Season and New Year are right around the corner.
The Paris conference was very successful. A good turnout coupled with interesting workshops and professional sessions provided for good learning opportunities, discussions and networking. To some, Paris itself is an attraction. A fully detailed program and most of the Paris presentations are available to you on this web-site. Take the time to go through all the materiel and use what there is either as references for your work or when you are preparing a presentation on marine insurance matters.
As stated previously, having the position as president of IUMI has its privileges. The most important one, in my view, is the opportunity to meet interesting people, from the outside of our industry, but more importantly from the inside amongst our own marine insurance family. I continue to enjoy the company of and discussions with people who have a genuine interest in and very much care for the well being of marine insurance. Even in a specialist branch of the insurance industry, there is such a myriad of individuals that expose many facets of knowledge, experience and most importantly: curiosity. How can we serve our clients better? What can we do to ensure sustainability? How can claims handling be made more efficient and how do we avoid claims leakage? As the transportation business, which our industry is a part of, changes, we must adapt. Marine insurers have successfully adjusted their business practices for the last 4,000 years; - there is no reason for not keeping up the good work.
Immediately following the IUMI conference in Paris, I was invited to speak at the IMCC (International Marine Claims Conference) in Dublin. This conference is for claims people what IUMI conferences are for underwriters. Like I did the previous year, my task was to update our friends at IMCC on current IUMI matters. In a way I feel sad that not all marine insurance practitioners meet at one venue and at the same time, but I also respect the need for special meetings and workshops addressing specific marine insurance claim issues. As last year, I was treated very well by the participants and organizers; -all in all, a very enjoyable time and an educational experience for me.
A fortnight ago I had the pleasure of addressing the Annual Meeting of the AIMU (American Institute of Marine Underwriters) in New York. I was in the company of other distinguished speakers and also had the pleasure of being updated on the activities of AIMU. I was particularly impressed by the educational activities and achievements of the AIMU. Even with a membership spread all over the North American continent, training courses are well attended. If not physically present, webcasts will ensure that all students get the same opportunities to participate in the sessions. In the evening, there was a stylish and well attended black-tie dinner.
The IUMI executive committee and the technical committee chairmen will meet in London at the end of January. The January meetings traditionally spark off the planning sessions for the next conference. For 2012, the conference will be in San Diego, USA. Together with the Chairmen of the IUMI Technical Committees, the conference theme will be discussed as well as the first outline of a program that fits with the theme. Traditionally, the January meetings are most generously hosted by the IUMI members LMA and IUA, and in 2012 it will be LMA’s turn.
My best wishes for the holidays and 2012 go to all readers.
November 29, 2011
Ole Wikborg
IUMI President
