The Association of Average Adjusters

Bookings are now open for the AAA Annual Dinner at The Savoy Hotel London, Thursday 8th May 2025 at 18:15. This prestigious event is open to members and their guests and if you would like to book your ticket(s), logged in members can click on the following link: https://lnkd.in/gx5HkPyJ. If you have any questions, please contact the Secretariat at admin@average-adjusters.com.

Honorary Chair of The Association of Average Adjusters , Ann Waite, was a guest of the UK Chamber of Shipping at their Annual Dinner on 3 Feb, which was held in the Great Room, Grosvenor House Hotel, London. There were over 700 guests and speeches were delivered by @ JB Rae-Smith, President of the UK Chamber of Shipping, Rhett Hatcher, Chief Executive of the UK Chamber of Shipping and Mike Kane MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport. Speeches focused on challenges to shipping (geopolitics, security, alternative fuels, climate change) encouraging the seafarers of the future and working with the UK Government to advance the industry’s position across a vast waterfront of policy agendas. Presentations were made to Luka Louise Haynes, who was awarded the MCA Officer Trainee of the Year, and Claire Hogan who won the Ambassador of the Year award for promoting various pathways into the Maritime Industry.

The Association of Average Adjusters second Asian Conference took place in Hong Kong on 16th January 2025 and early feedback suggests it has been a resounding success.   In the morning at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC), a private meeting of Fellows, Senior Associates and Associates took place, covering items from a varied agenda, which encouraged plenty of robust discussion. Subscribers then joined the conference and a more informal discussion about Average Adjusting and the AAA ensued. This was followed by a very pleasant lunch on the balcony overlooking Hong Kong Harbour. 50 members were in attendance during the morning session.   The conference then moved to the nearby Craigengower Cricket Club where a formal seminar session was held, opening with a video of welcome from our Honorary Chair, Ann Waite, and background to the Asian Conferences explained by Vice Chair, Chris Kilbee. This was attended by 80 members and their guests from marine and insurance markets in Asia and beyond. Four well-presented topics were covered by 7 Fellows: Raymond T C Wong, Peter Fei, Rui Hao, William Lai, Amy O'Neill, Ryoko Shimura and Matthew Cao. Quentin Drew (West of England P&I Club HK) provided us with a fascinating insight into the world of P&I where it brushes with General Average in large casualties.   The 5 members of the Asian ‘Working Group’, particularly Raymond T C Wong and Cory Chow, should be congratulated for arranging such a fantastic day, which concluded with drinks and a traditional Chinese dinner. This initial report can also be found on the website via the following link to all logged-in members at: https://lnkd.in/e9Kj2UBS

This is a final reminder about the afternoon seminar programme of The Association of Average Adjusters Asian Conference in Hong Kong on Thursday, 16th January 2025. Please see the schedule of events below and note that attendance is free of charge to all members worldwide. Subscribers are reminded that they are most welcome to meet first at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) from 11:15 for an informal discussion, followed by a light lunch.   Venue: Craigengower Cricket Club, 188 Wong Nai Chung Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong.   14:00-15:30 . Chair’s Welcome and Opening Remarks - Chris Kilbee . Average Adjusting in Hong Kong: an admirable 80-year tradition - Raymond T C Wong . Loss of Hire: Is the ABS Form still workable? – Peter Fei and Rui Hao . Practices are not Law – YAR 1994 or 2016? – William Lai and Raymond T C Wong   15:30-16:00 . Coffee Break   16:00-17:30 . Panel Discussion on Major Casualty giving rise to issues including Abandonment and P&I - Quentin Drew (West of England), Amy O'Neill, Ryoko Shimura . CTL Claims – An Average Adjuster’s Observation – Matthew Cao   17:30 . Wrap Up   18:30 for 19:00 . Dinner at Craigengower Cricket Club   Contact the Secretariat at admin@average-adjusters.com if you would like to attend the Conference. 

We would like to advise our members that booking is now open on the website for the following March 2025 examinations: . A1 Module, 11 March 2025: The Marine Insurance Act 1906, Insurance Act 2015 and related principles of insurance . A2 Module, 12 March 2025: Hull and Cargo claims . F1 Module, week beginning 10 March 2025: General Average, Salvage and Carriage of Goods by Sea . F2 Module, week beginning 10 March 2025: Hull & Machinery, Loss of Hire, War Risks, Cargo . F3 Module, week beginning 10 March 2025: Collision liabilities, ancillary insurances on ship, cargo claims and miscellaneous If you would like to submit an application form for any of these examinations, please login and follow the link below:   https://lnkd.in/ejTdRY4G After submitting your application form by email to both judy.houlden@gmail.com and admin@average-adjusters.com, you should then confirm the modules you wish to book, selecting your location and paying online. The closing dates for applications are: A1 - 14 January 2025 A2 - 15 January 2025 F1/F2/F3 - 13 January 2025  

At the joint International Underwriting Association of London / The Association of Average Adjusters seminar in London on 13 November, Michiel Starmans and Alf Inge Johannessen gave an interesting seminar on General Average (GA) in the Offshore Industry. Michiel and Alf explained how GA applies to the Offshore Industry where offshore equipment, cargo or any other property is carried on board a vessel. Participants heard how ignoring, or not fully understanding, the concept of GA when concluding charter-party contracts for offshore services, could cause problems in the event of an incident or accident. The event was attended by 136 people (remote/in-person) and was chaired by Honorary Chair of the Association of Average Adjusters, Ann Waite. The presentation can be viewed below and can also be found on the AAA website at: https://lnkd.in/eAGhDs8A

The second Asian AAA Conference in Hong Kong on 16th January 2025 is taking shape and we are delighted to be able to give you further details of the event below. Please note that attendance is free of charge and all members worldwide are invited. Please put this important date in your diaries and RSVP to: admin@average-adjusters.com if you are planning to attend the conference. If you would like to invite a guest, please also email: admin@average-adjusters.com to secure a place. Further details of the seminar topics will be confirmed nearer the time.

The IUA/AAA Seminar on General Average in the Offshore Industry, will take place in London on 13 November. Guest speakers, Michiel Starmans and Alf Inge Johannessen, will be explaining how General Average also applies to the Offshore Industry, where offshore equipment, cargo or any other property is carried on board a vessel. Registration details on the flyer.

Ann Waite, Hon Chair, was delighted to attend the AGM and Annual Dinner of the Association of Average Adjusters of the United States and Canada in New York this week. Jeanne Carr, Chairman Association of Average Adjusters of the United States and Canada, delivered an interesting presentation: “What Happened When, and Who Pays?” an address on progressive damages and the challenges of apportionment over multiple policy years, varying deductibles and different insurance conditions.

Applications are now invited, from all paid-up members of the Association, for the Fellowship Module F4 due to take place on 11 February 2025. Please submit your application form to the Secretary judy.houlden@gmail.com. This can be found, once logged into the website, at: https://lnkd.in/ejTdRY4G. The deadline for applications is 30 November 2024 and the deadline for payment of the exam fee, via the website, is 30 December 2024.