With the establishment of a branch office in Vancouver, the small vessel sector P&I Club fulfils its strategy of a service commitment to the market within three eight-hour time zones
Having acquired the Vancouver-based underwriting agency, Waterborne Underwriting Services Ltd in 2007, Shipowners’ has developed its plan to establish an accredited branch of the Club; authorisation to undertake underwriting in Canada was received in December last year and the Vancouver branch office was officially renamed as Shipowners’ North America Protection Ltd on the 1s July 2010.
In making the announcement Shipowners’ Chief Executive, Charles Hume emphasised the Club’s global service strategy that underpins the new branch opening. “Vancouver is another element, along with our London and Singapore offices, of our declared ‘888’ commitment to the market, which pledges service to Members and their brokers locally within eight-hour time zones,” said Hume. “Commitment to service, whether its claims handling or risk management, is an essential part of the value proposition of a mutual such as the Shipowners’ Club and, with the Vancouver branch , we can extend this offering to our Members in Canada and the US West Coast, ” he continued.
Francis Fyfe, who has been President of Waterborne since its inception in 1995 retired in May this year and is succeeded as General Manager and Head of Underwriting at the Vancouver branch by Rosemary Adams. She has eight years experience of handling the Club’s business. In addition to the underwriting staff currently present in Vancouver, the team will be augmented with a dedicated claims handler in November this year in order to provide a full underwriting and claims service for Members and their brokers.
Adams is enthusiastic about her new role and the potential for extending the influence of the Club in the region. “Shipowners’ is renowned globally for its protection and indemnity cover of small vessels, including tugs and offshore supply vessels, passenger ferries, harbour craft, fishing boats and professionally crewed yachts. The establishment of the Vancouver branch makes these specialist services offered by the Club more accessible to the Canadian and US West Coast market. We look forward to developing our reach to the membership,” she said.
About Shipowners' Club:
The Shipowners' Club is a mutual marine liability insurer, providing Protection & Indemnity insurance to small vessels since 1855. The Club currently covers over 28,000 vessels from 6,322 Members worldwide and is a member of the International Group of P&I Clubs.
Charles Hume – Chief Executive – The Shipowners’ Club
Francis Fyfe – President (retired) – Waterborne Underwriting Agency Ltd
Rosemary Adams – General Manager / Head of Underwriting – Vancouver Branch – The Shipowners’ Club
Donald MacLeod – Chairman – The Shipowners’ Club
