Marine insurers get their own Poseidon Principles

Since they were launched in June 2019 as a framework for assessing and disclosing the climate alignment of financial institutions’ shipping portfolios, the Poseidon Principles are increasingly influencing what kind of maritime projects can get attractive financing—and which can’t.

Now six of the world’s leading marine insurers have launched the Poseidon Principles for Marine Insurance. Founded on the methodology used in the Poseidon Principles for Financial Institutions, they are a framework to quantitatively assess and disclose the climate alignment of marine insurers’ underwriting portfolios.

The initiative makes marine insurance the first line of business to establish a sector-specific methodology to support the ambition of the Net-Zero Insurance Alliance (NZIA).

NZIA members commit to transitioning their underwriting portfolios to net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.

MASSIVE ENDEAVOR

“The transition to net zero is a massive endeavor and we appreciate the efforts of the marine industry. As risk managers, insurers and investors, the insurance industry has a key role in supporting the transition to a net-zero economy. The Poseidon Principles will serve our institutions as well as our clients to quantitatively assess and disclose the climate alignment of their underwriting portfolios and thus improve decision-making at a strategic level and shape a sustainable future for all. The disclosure framework provided by the Poseidon Principles will enable us to credibly report our progress towards net-zero insurance using granular marine data,” says Patrizia Kern, Marine Head at Swiss Re Corporate Solutions and Chair of the drafting committee for the Poseidon Principles for Marine Insurance. “As signatories of the Net-Zero Insurance Alliance, NZIA, we at Swiss Re encourage everyone in the marine industry to align with net-zero 2050 targets.”

Signatories to the Poseidon Principles for Marine Insurance commit to assessing and disclosing the climate alignment of their hull and machinery portfolios, and to benchmarking them against two trajectories: one linked to a 50% reduction of annual CO2 emissions by 2050 compared to 2008 – in line with the International Maritime Organization’s Initial GHG Strategy; and one linked to a 100% reduction of emissions by 2050. Furthermore, a third trajectory will be introduced to align the full decarbonization trajectory with zero-lifecycle GHG emissions in order to meet the ambition of net-zero commitments such as the NZIA, and to support a zero-emissions future for shipping.

DECARBONIZING INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING

Brokers and other key stakeholders in marine insurance commit to supporting the Principles as affiliate members and align with the goal of decarbonizing international shipping by 2050.

“By joining this important initiative, we wish to demonstrate our deep commitment to working with our clients and business partners to successfully navigate the transition to a net-zero future,” says Ben Abraham Chief Executive Officer, Global Marine at Willis Towers Watson.

“Cefor is committed to promoting a more sustainable ocean industry, and supports the transparency offered by the Poseidon Principles for Marine Insurance to foster dialogue towards this common goal,” says Helle Hammer, Managing Director, Cefor, the Nordic Association of Marine Insurers.

Founding Signatories include Swiss Re, Gard, Hellenic Hull Management, SCOR, Victor International, and Norwegian Hull Club. Additional marine insurers are expected to join in the near future.

Affiliate members supporting the Principles are Willis Towers Watson, Cefor, and EF Marine.

The Poseidon Principles for Marine Insurance are founded on the methodology used in the Poseidon Principles for Financial Institutions and were developed in an effort spearheaded by leading marine insurers and industry stakeholders with expert support provided by the Global Maritime Forum, Swiss Re Institute, and UMAS. The International Union of Marine Insurers (IUMI) is a supporting partner.

Learn more about the Poseidon Principles for Marine Insurance.