The International Group of P&I Clubs has a new chairman: Gard CEO Rolf Thore Roppestad replaces Andrew Cutler, who had held the post since November 2022.
During the recent Annual General Meeting, the members unanimously elected the Norwegian Roppestad as the new Chairman. He thanked the outgoing chairman and reaffirmed his commitment to the continuity and stability of the group: “The IG system is very close to my heart. Not only does it play an important role in facilitating global shipping, but it also helps to protect seafarers and the marine environment. Under Andrew’s leadership, the Group has excelled and proven its value time and time again and I look forward to building on this.”
The twelve P&I Clubs that make up the International Group collectively provide marine liability insurance for approximately 90% of the world’s marine tonnage. Each club is a mutual insurance association and is owned by its shipowner and charterer members.
At the meeting, explicit thanks were given to the previous Chairman Cutler, CEO of the Britannia P&I Club, for his services. Under his leadership, the group had faced a number of issues, including growing geopolitical concerns, wars and a widening sanctions regime, as well as the merger of two member clubs.
Cutler said of his departure: “When I took office, we were still in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, geopolitical tensions have risen, while regulatory burdens in shipping are increasing and compliance with global trade rules is becoming ever more complex. Despite these pressures, the Group’s system remains essential to keep global maritime trade moving.”
Roppestad’s words were well received. The Norwegian emphasized that in today’s geopolitical climate, in which established global frameworks and cooperations are under pressure on several fronts, the role of the IG is perhaps “more important than ever”. “The IG brings together P&I insurers from different parts of the world to ensure that maritime accidents are handled responsibly and efficiently,” he said. “It is a system that has served society well – and one that we must continue to protect and promote.”
