Company news

Gard is a member of the International Group of P&I Clubs and participates in its pooling and reinsurance arrangments. In a year of unparalleled disruption as a result of COVID-19 the International Group’s pooling arrangements and the General Excess of Loss and Collective Overspill Programme (GXL programme) provide shipowners with a measure of stability and comfort as they plan and budget for 2021.

Whatever we thought might be in store for all of us this time last year, I think we can all confidently agree that the reality was completely different. It has made for an exceptionally challenging year for everyone, not least all parts of the maritime industry and our focus has been to help and support our Members and clients.

The Gard results have been negatively affected by several major incidents within the International Group Pool and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the shipping and financial markets.

We have added a second correspondent for P&I and Hull & Machinery matters in the ports of Takoradi and Tema in Ghana.

We congratulate the World Food Programme (WFP) on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2020. The World Food Programme is a driving force in global efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict around the world.

We have added a second correspondent for P&I and Hull & Machinery matters in Djibouti.

This year’s IUMI conference will take place online for the first time on 14 to 25 September.

In the last three months we have seen unprecedented change across the world in the way that we live and work. The speed with which the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world took everyone by surprise, and the ramifications of the actions taken by governments to reduce its impact and the consequences these have had on people, societies and economies everywhere have been severe.

Gard announced today that Imola Szanto from Sweden and Hasan Tahsin Azizagaoglu from Turkey are this year’s winners of the Claes Isacson Scholarship.

The 2020 Annual General Meeting of Gard P. & I. (Bermuda) Ltd. will be held on Wednesday, 1 July 2020 in Hamilton, Bermuda. This meeting is a requirement under Bermuda law and is a formality only. The Club's Members are not required to be present in person at the meeting.

Gard will remain the dominant player in the P&I market and a significant participant in the marine market more generally, according to S&P. 

Gard today launched its first sustainability report as part of its commitment to the UN Global Compact. This outlines its ambitions for sustainable development, articulates how impact will be measured and illustrates the wide range of activities being carried out by the group in it day-to-day work placing sustainability at the core of its business.

3 June 2020 Gard announced today that Magne Nilsen will become the Managing Director of Gard (UK) Limited from 1 July 2020. He will take over from Thomas Nordberg who will return to Norway to take up a new position as Head of Claims Services reporting to the Chief Claims Officer.

Piracy and armed robbery against vessels are some of the modern day challenges of the maritime and offshore industries. Recent incidents, especially off the West African coast, have reminded the shipping industry and the public in general about the violence and cruelty with which piracy attacks are conducted, the dangers faced by those on board, as well as the significant losses that may occur both in terms of human life and property.

Decision on payment of last instalment of premium deferred.

Finding solutions to the critical problem of seafarers trapped on vessels is required now. Creating global “key worker” status for crew is vital to maintaining their health and safety, while at the same time supporting the global supply chain. 90% of the world’s good travel by sea and, at any given time, around 200,000 sailors are in transit for crew changes around the world.

As we have all seen over the past weeks, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted every aspect of global commerce and continues to evolve daily. As a result, Members have raised many questions concerning Club cover. While every case will depend on its specific facts, we identify below the heads of cover most likely implicated by the COVID-19 pandemic and provide guidance to Members on the most frequently asked questions.