The American P&I Club, one of the 13 members of the International Group of P&I Clubs attracted maximum capacity at events held in two of the world’s major shipping hubs, Piraeus and London on December 7th and 9th 2016 for their annual Market Presentations. Placing emphasis on and crediting the know-how of the people behind the Club’s service, the Club’s Managers, SCB Inc. as well as the Club’s subsidiary American Hellenic Insurance Company’s CEO made a series of presentations highlighting the following positive developments:

the Club continues to expand it service capabilities with the opening of an office in Houston

investment performance shows positive despite volatile markets

that the Club has been successful in increasing its net tonnage by 10% since last 2016 renewal date

American Hellenic’s insured tonnage ahead of projections for year end

Eagle Ocean Marine, the Club’s fixed P&I premium cover in conjunction with Lloyds Underwriters continues to increase in volume and remains profitable

Coming in to the Club’s centennial year, Joseph Hughes, CEO and Chairman of SCB Inc, Managers of the Club, explained that the Club continues to expand it service capabilities with the opening of an office in Houston, making it the only IG P&I Club based in the region with full claims handling abilities and emphasized that “the recent years of the unstable economic environment has strengthened the Club’s uncompromised solidarity with its membership in difficult times.” Mr. Hughes then went on to report that Eagle Ocean Marine, the Club’s fixed P&I premium cover in conjunction with Lloyd’s Underwriters continues to increase in volume and remains profitable.

Vince Solarino, COO and President, advised on the global strategy of growth through its regional business development plans implemented over recent years. He explained that this strategy played a key role in the Club’s net tonnage growth of approximately 10% during the ongoing 2016 policy year despite the greater insurance industry dealing with the continuing consequences of the recession as well as increasing competition and capacity.

Ilias Tsakiris CEO of the Club’s subsidiary American Hellenic Hull Insurance Company, Ltd. provided the update on the current market position of the now fully licensed and active insurance company indicating that the insured tonnage is ahead of projections for year end with a well-balanced and healthily diversified portfolio both regionally by broker production as well as by vessel type.

The presentations were concluded by Dorothea Ioannou, Global Business Development Director, who gave insight and a picture panoramic tour on the people behind the Club and its history; from the Club’s birth in 1917 arising out of WWI sanctions, up to the leadership of Hughes and Solarino taking the Club from a domestic US insurer in the 90’s, to global insurer and member of the IG, with five times more tonnage and a service reach and capability leading to six offices world-wide today. Ms. Ioannou stated that “it is the people that make all the difference”.

Both events which took place at the Piraeus Marine Club and Trinity House respectively attracted over 500 people when combined, with major names in both the shipowning and broking sectors in addition to the greater shipping cluster sectors.

Source: The American P&I Club