Facts
¤ The Nordic Association of Marine Insurers was founded 15 August 1911 under the name of Sjøassurandørenes Centralforening.
¤ In 2009 the Annual General Meeting adopted a new name to reflect the pan-Nordic members of the association.
¤ Cefor’s objective is to strengthen and develop the basis concepts of the Nordic marine insurance market and promote the members’ common interests on key issues for the marine insurance industry.
¤ The members engage in: H&M insurance, P&I insurance, Cargo insurance, Legal defence, War risks insurance and Energy and offshore insurance.
Wikborg who is also Director and Senior Underwriter at NHC, emphazises three moves along the 100 years that have made a strong impact on the daily agenda of Cefor.
"The merging of two underwriting organisations Cefor and GSK just around the turn of the milleniumin was an important event as well as the increasing internationalization of the Cefor members' business activities the last 25 years. The latter has given the Nordic market a heavier place in the international market and altered the way Cefor works. Today Cefor is the spokesperson for the marine insurers in the Nordic countries when matters of political nature are discussed and decided. Thirdly, I will mention insurance statistics. In 1985 and the creation of a statistical database for all Norwegian - now Nordic - written fleets. This has developed into the most comprehensive source of marine insurance claim information for hull and machinery claims and enjoys a world class status," he says.
Today the need of education and knowledge are important challenges for the future marine insurance business. Education has always been at the top end of Cefor's list of priorities. It still is and will continue to be in the future.
Wikborg also emphasizes the importance of speaking with one Nordic voice to be able to show strength in the global market and through IUMI. This will make Cefor a sustainable organization also in the future.
"Cooperation is our strength and Cefor will continue to focus on the maintenance and further development of the marine insurance conditions. And the goal is to produce a Nordic Marine Insurance Plan by 2013."
The Cefor anniversary was celebrated at Oslo Plaza last Thursday with both centennial conference and gala dinner. Norwegian Hull Club drew notice with Ole Wikborg leading the conference, CEO John Wiik giving a presentation on marine hull market outlook and Client Services Director Geir Skoglund presenting The Club's proactive approach on claims handling with recent Japan tsunami as case. After the conference, 390 invited guests enjoyed gala dinner, speeches, toasts and musical entertainment.
Pictures from the celebration will be published soon.