On November 18, 2025, the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) and the Hong Kong Maritime Port Development Board (HKMPDB) officially entered into a partnership aimed at establishing a framework for marine insurance education and professional development across Asia. The collaboration responds to the growing demand for skilled professionals in the marine insurance sector, which has seen an expanded need for qualified expertise in recent years.
The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers (HKFI), which represents IUMI in Asia, will be responsible for overseeing the execution of the agreement. The partnership outlines three key objectives:
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Developing a skilled maritime insurance workforce capable of handling international operations.
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Incorporating IUMI’s advanced training materials into regional professional development programs.
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Organising educational initiatives at regional maritime conferences aimed at advancing the insurance sector.
As part of this initiative, the IUMI will be distributing training materials to the Hong Kong insurance market. These materials, which cover topics such as cargo and hull insurance, will help standardise knowledge across the region while providing accessible learning opportunities for professionals at various stages of their careers.
Selina Lau, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers, expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, “We are proud to facilitate this collaboration between IUMI and the HKMPDB to enhance education and talent development in the marine insurance sector here in Hong Kong. With the support of the HKMPDB, we are leveraging IUMI’s extensive resources to foster a more robust marine insurance education framework.”
Government and Institutional Support for the Initiative
On the same day as the agreement signing, Hong Kong government representatives engaged in official discussions with IUMI leadership. Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics, met with IUMI President Frédéric Denèfle and Secretary General Lars Lange to discuss the scope of the agreement. Chan emphasised Hong Kong’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with the global maritime industry and its active participation in international meetings and exchanges hosted by IUMI.
“The HKSAR government attaches great importance to strengthening our connections with the global maritime industry, and we are committed to staying updated on the latest developments in shipping and marine insurance,” said Chan.
Strengthening Hong Kong’s Position as a Global Maritime Hub
Since 2016, IUMI has maintained a significant operational presence in Hong Kong, making the city a focal point for marine insurance coordination and professional standards development across Asia. In addition to this, the Hong Kong government has launched the Maritime Services Traineeship Scheme, which connects insurance companies with young professionals seeking careers in marine insurance.
With its robust legal framework, business-friendly economic policies, and tax advantages, Hong Kong is well-positioned to be a leader in the global maritime sector, with operational representation from 11 of the 12 members of the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Clubs.
The HKMPDB-IUMI partnership is strategically designed to integrate professional development efforts with Hong Kong’s maritime infrastructure, positioning the city as a global leader in marine insurance education and training.