The Association of Average Adjusters (AAA), through its chairman Michiel Starmans (pictured), hailed its members for serving the marine market professionally despite an “extraordinary year” in which most of the association’s events were put on hold.
“The committee of management has continued to undertake the day-to-day business via virtual meetings hosted on Zoom,” Starmans said during the AAA’s recent virtual annual general meeting. “Although not as pleasant as actually meeting up in person, it has at least allowed us all to see each other and discuss ongoing matters. I very much hope we can all meet in person in the forthcoming 12 months.”
Starmans commended the late Jeff Allen, who served as chairman of the association in 1993, for championing the allocation of resources to training and qualifications to secure high standards in the “serious, technical business” of insurance, which the AAA is reaping the benefits of today. Allen passed away in late 2020.
“The level and organisation of the AAA examinations remains one of the pillars of strength of our association within the marine insurance market. That did not change during the COVID-19 crisis,” Starmans said.
The general meeting touched on several issues that affected the industry in the past year.
AAA’s representative on the Lloyd’s Salvage Group, Amy O’Neill, was among signatories of a letter from the group objecting to plans by Lloyd’s to phase out the Lloyd’s Salvage Arbitration Branch (LSAB). The letter stressed the important role of the LSAB in the independence and integrity of the Lloyd’s Open Form salvage contract, to ensure prompt provision of security, appointment of arbitrators, enforcement of awards and distribution of reports.
One of the biggest maritime incidents in recent months was the grounding of the Ever Given as it passed through the Suez Canal, which had a huge impact on the marine industry and global supply chains.
“It will be interesting to see how this salvage case, involving one of the largest container ships with over 20,000 TEU on board, progresses,” said Starmans, who also welcomed the appointment by the Japanese shipowner of one of the association’s member firms as general average adjuster. However, he noted it was “disturbing” that the Suez Canal Authority had demanded what was considered by the UK P&I Club to be excessive security.
Despite many of the association’s seminars being put on hold, a joint webinar between the AAA and
Young CMI was organised on April 29. Young CMI is part of the Comité Maritime International, a non-governmental organisation promoting unification of maritime law.
Unfortunately, the AAA’s annual dinner for 2020 was cancelled, but many members chose to donate to charity the portion of their subscription allocated to funding the event. A total of £7,720 was given to the Seafarers COVID-19 Emergency Appeal.
As of May 07, the AAA’s membership was composed of affiliates (3); associates (84); fellows
(42); honorary members (15); honorary fellows (4); non-practising fellows (2); overseas associates (48); overseas subscribers (185); representatives (8); senior associates (11); and UK subscribers (68).
