08.00-08.55

Registration and refreshments sponsored by West of England P&I Club

08.55-09.00

Conference Chair: Fareed Lutfi, Secretary General, Emirates Insurance Association

09.00-09.10

Keynote Address:

Presenter: H.E. Hessa Ahmed Hamdan Al Malek, Advisor to the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, United Arab Emirates

09.10-09.50

Panel Discussion: A Market Overview – What is Next for the Region?

Marine insurance classes have been stable in terms of rates, as well as terms and conditions for the past few years, but there are signs of change thanks to a slight softening of rates, but also a number of losses. Combining that with changing regulations set to impact the market, we explore the mood of the market and look ahead to the coming year in a legal environment in which the regulator now operates through the auspices of the Central Bank.

Moderator: Bozidar Ljubisavljevic, Regional Head of Marine, Middle East & Africa / Chief Client Officer, Asia, Howden

Panellists: Matteo Pescatori, Senior Marine Broker, Orion Insurance & Reinsurance Broker Group

Capt. Gagan Dhillon, Chief Executive Officer Dubai, West of England Insurance Services

Satish Marathe, Head of Marine, Sukoon Insurance

Cenk Bilgin, Senior Regional Marine Underwriting Manager & Vice-Chair of IFY Committee at IUMI & Vice-Chairman of Marine Insurance and Aviation Technical Sub-Committee at EIA, GIG Gulf

09.50-10.10

Presentation: Money Talks – The Impact of Tariffs

Tariffs may not directly impact the Middle East, but tariffs elsewhere reverberate around the region in terms of shipping routes and demand for goods. In this session, we not only consider the impact on the Middle East economically, but also look in more detail at the impact for marine clients and their policies. For example, how do charter parties adjust to new sailing routes? We also consider the opportunities for new routes and slicker supply chains.

Partiticpants: Manik Verma, Partner, Fichte & Co

10.10-10.30

Rebels Without a Cargo – A Case Study on ​Houthi Rebel Attacks in the Red Sea.

Presenter: Cameron Boyd, Senior Associate, Clyde & Co

10.30-11.00

Coffee and Networking Break sponsored by

11.00-11.40

Panel Discussion: The Dark Fleet – Really a Risk

When the concept of a ‘dark fleet’ emerged, so did the doom-mongers warning of catastrophic incidents to follow. In this session, we take a look at the reality of events so far, including some examples from other parts of the world where claims have materialised and consider the implications for this region’s insurers if something similar occurred. As a final thought, we discuss end-of-life arrangements for such vessels, particularly in the context of the new Hong Kong Convention.

Moderator: Elisabeth Baker, Director, Transportation & Logistics, MENA Specialty, Aon Reinsurance Solutions, Middle East, Aon

Panellists: Divas Panjwani, Assistant Underwriting Manager, Emirates Insurance Company

Dmitry Vavilov, Managing Director, Maritime Risk Management

Kirill Patyrykin, Managing Director, Sun Marine & Trading Management Ltd

11.40-12.20  

     Panel Discussion: Managing a Claim in Middle Eastern Waters

This session considers the aftermath of a serious casualty and the possibility of severe environmental damage, had salvors not done their job. In addition to highlighting this case, the panel will discuss dealing with a fire on a container ship in order to reduce additional costs, mitigate further environmental damage and manage intact and distressed cargo.

Moderator: Mohamed El Hawawy, Head of Middle East Shipping & Insurance, Stephenson Harwood LLP

Panellists: Jasmin Fichte, Managing Partner, Fichte & Co

Athanasios Polychronopoulos, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, Polygreen International

Ian Clarke, Chief Executive Officer Hellas, West of England Insurance Services

Maurice Schreurs, Commercial Director, SMIT Salvage

12.20-12.40

Presentation: AI and Cybersecurity in Maritime Insurance – Building the Digital Defense Line

As vessels become smarter and port operations increasingly automated, cyber vulnerabilities must be met with equally sophisticated risk modeling, underwriting tools and claims preparedness. Integrating AI and machine learning can enable the marine insurance sector to transition from reactive claims processing to proactive risk prevention.

Presenter: Chris Bhatt, Head of Transportation & Logistics & Chief Commercial Officer – MENA Specialty, Aon

12.40-13.40

Lunch and Networking Break sponsored by

13.40-14.00

Keynote Address: Maritime Infrastructure and Logistics as Catalysts for the Future of Marine Insurance

Maritime infrastructure and logistics are no longer just operational elements – they are catalysts redefining the future of marine insurance. From smart ports and digital warehouses to IoT-enabled containers and automated logistics hubs, technology is transforming how risk is monitored, managed and insured. As global trade becomes more complex and interconnected, this session explores how these innovations are shifting marine insurance from reactive coverage to proactive, data-driven risk partnership, paving the way for a more secure, efficient and sustainable maritime ecosystem.

Presenter:

14.00-14.40

Panel Discussion: Legally Speaking – Policy Wordings, Loss of Hire, Contract Liability Cover

In this panel our experts will answer a number of questions to clarify some of the key legal aspects to consider around policy wordings, loss of hire and contract liability cover. Member of the audience will also be able to put questions to our experts.

Moderator

Panellists: Lia Konstantopoulou, Marine Director, City Marine Insurance Brokers

Saif Almobideen, Partner, Stephenson Harwood

Joseph Shead, Advisor, Norwegian Hull Club

14.40-15.00

Presentation:

In the maritime world, emergencies often escalate or de-escalate depending on the speed and direction of the initial response. This session explores the critical role of response at all levels, ship, shore, regulator, insurer and responder, in shaping outcomes. From the first flow of information to the decisions that define whether an incident remains contained or spirals into catastrophe, the ability to act quickly and decisively is often the deciding factor. Drawing on real-world experience, the presentation highlights how timely response not only limits risk and loss but also safeguards reputation, environment, and lives.

Presenter: Neil Scott-Williams, Director, Mubarak Bridge Marine

15.00-15.30

Coffee and Networking Break

15.30-16.20

Focus Session: War Risks Matter

The world has proved an uncertain place in the last year and for the shipping sector, the risks have been all too real, with rocket attacks, minefields and kidnappings. When it comes to war risk insurance, claims have been more frequent in the past year than ever before. As part of that, wordings have been tested and tested again. In this session we look at how those wordings have played out in practice for cargo interests as well as hull and machinery, including a look at force majeure and general average.

Moderator:

Panellists: Capt. Manoj Kumar, Senior Vice President, Marine Specialty, Lockton

Craig Dennis, Global Head of Marine New Business Development, Miller Insurance Services

16.20-17.00

Role Play: What Can Possibly Cost $1bn+?

In this session, we look at a hypothetical casualty of two tankers colliding and inevitably claiming on various policies. We ask the question, who pays the costs?

Narrator: Capt. Gagan Dhillon, Chief Executive Officer Dubai, West of England Insurance Services

Participants: Alex McCooke, Claims Syndicate Manager Global Offshore Claims & Contract Specialist, Shipowners’ Club

Madhukant Sawant, Senior Consultant claims Advocacy, Marsh McLennan

17.00-17.05

Closing Remarks: Fareed Lutfi, Secretary General, Emirates Insurance Association

17.05-18.00

Drinks Reception sponsored by