Decarbonisation mandates, cyber vulnerabilities, and offshore renewables are reshaping marine risk faster than many insurers can respond. But for Chris Boyd (pictured), managing director at Van Ameyde Marine, that volatility isn’t just a challenge, it’s a strategic inflection point for brokers and underwriters alike.
“We’ve started the evolution already and we know what’s coming up,” Boyd said. “It’s really about reinforcing what the brokers and underwriters are already doing and giving them insight and the tools in which we have to provide further focus.”
Marine brokers today face a fast-moving risk environment. P&I clubs are contending with increased claims costs and more complex liability scenarios. Superyachts and specialist vessels bring cyber vulnerabilities and high-value exposures. Meanwhile, offshore renewables are testing the limits of marine deployment, weather modelling, and supply chain reliability.
“The risks are interconnected, that’s the common theme,” Boyd said. “It’s getting harder to predict them in certain areas, which means deeper technical expertise and closer collaboration between stakeholders. That’s actually essential.”
For brokers, that means not only understanding the risk landscape, but being equipped to explain and contextualise it for clients, especially in areas like cyber, specialist vessels, and offshore renewables where policy wordings and risk appetites are still evolving.
Van Ameyde Marine is responding by piloting technology to support frontline decision-making, such as Vision Plus smart glasses that allow surveyors to share live feeds with technical experts during incidents.
We’re currently testing this with several partners to ensure it performs reliably in real-world conditions,” Boyd said. “We’ve already trialed the equipment in challenging environments, such as engine rooms, and we’re now exploring solutions to improve connectivity and integration in these confined spaces
Boyd is especially focused on decarbonisation, calling it the defining trend that will reshape marine underwriting in the years ahead.
“Decarbonisation touches every aspect of shipping: regulation, operations, technology and finance. That's the big one that's coming up,” he said. “With new fuels and technologies creating potential new risks... not every ship's the same. You know, a ferry going between two Scottish islands is very different to a VLCC.”
Boyd also noted that the IMO’s Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) requirements continue to place growing compliance pressure on vessel owners - and, in turn, are reshaping how insurers assess performance-related and operational risks.
He also pointed to increasing cyber risk and compliance expectations, noting the growing operational burden on vessel owners.
“Cyber is already a clear and present danger,” Boyd said. “We’ve got to look at how we protect the vessel navigation systems and the port infrastructure. That’s quite important to recognise.”
Asked whether the marine insurance sector has adapted fast enough, Boyd offered a balanced view. “We've been cautious by nature as a sector, but it's served us well because it's ensured stability,” he said.
"The pace of change in shipping is accelerating, though regulatory developments remain evolving. MEPC 83 ((Maritime Environment Protection Committee) at the IMO (International Maritime Organization) postponed finalising the revised Net-Zero strategy, but discussions highlighted the direction of future decarbonisation measures."
That shift, he believes, opens up space for brokers to play a more strategic role. “We can turn regulatory pressure into competitive advantage,” Boyd said.
“Decarbonisation and innovation, I see them as neighbours of resilience, rather than just risks. As a consultancy, we’re not just observing the challenges, we’re actively part of the solution and seeing firsthand how solutions take shape.”
He believes brokers who understand the technical and regulatory direction of travel will be best positioned to advise on resilience, not just recovery.
