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Top Left: Correspondent manager Neil Gibbons addresses delegates.
Top Right: Correspondent James McKinnell (Hispania P&I Correspondents), Nina Jermyn (Steamship Hong Kong), Neil Gibbons
Underneath: Neil Gibbons with Correspondents Terry Lopez,
Captain Lenin Garcia (Caribbean Marine Surveyors & Consulting)
Every four years the International Group Correspondents sub-committee arranges a conference for all correspondents listed by IG Clubs. The last conference took place in London in September 2017. The feedback provided by delegates showed that a regional event focusing on issues within the region would be a popular future event. The IG decided that Asia would be an ideal location for the first regional event and the IG P&I Asia Correspondents Seminar took place in Singapore in December 2019. In order to differentiate the seminar from the regular four yearly conference, attendance was encouraged from correspondents with offices in Asia, or who serve shipowners operating in the region and the agenda was targeted towards issues particularly relevant to them.
In order to provide an efficient claims handling service to Members, Clubs rely greatly on the dedication and professional assistance provided 24/7 by their correspondents. See the Club’s earlier article, The Importance of Correspondents.
350 people attended the Singapore seminar including 250 correspondents. Whilst the majority were from Asia a significant number attended from many parts of the world including North and South America, Africa and Europe. In all 63 countries were represented. The location enabled many of the Asian based correspondents to send delegates who had not previously attended an IG correspondent event.
In addition to Correspondent and Communications Manager Neil Gibbons, Steamship attendees included Nina Jermyn Syndicate Manager from Steamship Hong Kong, James Ingham Director Steamship Tokyo, Jamie Taylor Director Steamship Singapore and Jonathan Andrews Eastern Syndicate Head of Underwriting.
The programme was based around the IG P&IQ course and delegates heard presentations from Club speakers and industry experts with sessions on people risks, cargo claims, Collision, FFO, pollution and finishing with towage salvage and GA.
Steamship Mutual Correspondent & Communications Manager Neil Gibbons said “We were impressed at the turnout, especially as this was the first regional event and we are very grateful to all the correspondents who attended. In particular it was great that so many of the claim handlers from the regional Asian offices were able to attend meaning that correspondents and club staff at all levels were able to meet, exchange views and hear about current developments within the P&I world”
For a flavour of the event a brief video can be viewed on the IGP&I website - it can be viewed here.
