In a seemingly fragmenting world, the need to work together to solve collective challenges has never been greater. Here, Ståle Hansen, CEO of Skuld, issues a clarion call for collaboration ahead of next year’s Nor-Shipping, stressing how this most interconnected and global of industries must play to its natural strengths.
The sun bursting through the window of Skuld’s city centre Oslo offices on an unseasonably bright November morning reflects Ståle Hansen’s mood. Despite the start of the conversation centring on geopolitical upheaval, the growing threat of cybercrime and the changing nature of risk, Hansen, like the cloudless expanse behind him, is unmistakably bright.
One reason for that is Skuld’s continued growth. The company has, in Hansen’s words, “never been stronger”, with increasing revenues, P&I tonnage, commercial gross premiums – which have climbed to account for around 50% of the business - and staff numbers. Skuld now employs more than 360 people across its 11 international offices.
But more than that, he seems refreshingly, and some would suggest counter-intuitively, optimistic about the ‘big picture’.
He’s far from naive about geopolitics, potential breakdowns in global regulatory accord, trade disruptions and AI threats – he raises them all – but is keen to highlight that, at its heart, this is an industry that’s “all about making connections.”
“Collaboration,” Hansen states, “is the foundation shipping has been built on… and it remains its greatest strength.
“I think, especially now, it’s well worth remembering that fact.”
Mutual momentum
Collaboration is certainly something the marine insurance industry is familiar with.
As Hansen points out, the sector was started by shipowners coming together to share risk and pool resources to cover liabilities they could not do so individually.
“Today, the mutual system where Skuld and its peers operates still insures close to 90% of the world fleet,” he states, adding that the International Group of P&I Clubs is currently processing the membership application for China Shipowners Mutual Assurance Association (CPI), potentially its first Chinese member.
“So, cooperation is, if anything, getting stronger.”
But, Hansen asserts, it stretches far beyond insurance.
Through conversations with members, industry organisations and other stakeholders, the Skuld CEO says he senses “a building momentum” that sits in opposition to the wider politicised narrative.
Instead of a breakdown in cross-border relations he sees “a real desire to remove obstacles and enable stronger trade.” Rather than opposition to decarbonisation, he notices “private owners with a strong wish to contribute to society” and “a strengthening value proposition” for adopting green tech. Yes, AI and cybercrime pose challenges, he admits, but digital developments also lead to “enhanced awareness, greater efficiency and reduced risks of collisions and so on.”
The key to all these advances is, he says, stronger collaboration: “And all the stakeholders I meet want to work together. I mean, they have to… none of the big issues that define our industry, and our world, can be solved in isolation, can they?”
Wider impact
Skuld, for its part, is committed to playing a pivotal role.
The business is involved in so many industry partnerships there’s almost not the space to list them here. Key ones of note include those with the Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Centre for Zero Carbon Shipping, BIMCO, Cefor, the Norwegian R&D Centre for Maritime Energy Transition (FME MarTrans), Maritime Battery Forum, the Green Shipping Programme, and more.
Hansen recently shared a stage at the Oslo Ocean Days event with Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), also a partner, discussing many issues, including how to be “a catalyst for change.”
“Everyone has the potential to play a part in driving positive change, but I think Skuld, with its global reach, has a strong ability to contribute,” he notes.
Hansen explains that the business has access to “a huge wealth of data”, and not only on risk, asset protection and maritime incidents. Through close partnerships with its members, Skuld plays a consultancy role working hand-in-hand with shipowners that are focusing on adopting new fuel types, green technology and a broad range of decarbonisation initiatives. This allows the team to advise clients, but also to act as a sounding board and knowledge repository for the industry as a whole.
Hansen comments: “Through relationships with bodies such as SMI, and events such as Nor-Shipping, we can share the data and insights we have with the wider shipping community, and beyond. We consult one-to-one with our clients on their specific needs, but we also share knowledge through these forums and partnerships whenever we can – spreading learning from individual projects and breakthroughs to stakeholders that are also looking to contribute. That way we can be a true catalyst for change, enabling progress which ripples out far beyond our membership base. This dovetails perfectly with Skuld’s commitment to a healthy ocean and shipping industry!”
Opportunity awaits
Hansen sees it as an essential event for a transitioning industry dealing with the interconnected complexity so prevalent in today’s world: “bringing together the people that matter to help steer development in the right direction.”
“As I’ve already stated,” he adds, “no one can tackle the challenges, and the opportunities, we’re faced with alone, so these large-scale forums are really essential platforms for building relationships, sharing knowledge and, basically, working together not only for individual benefits but for collective gain. Nor-Shipping is a cornerstone for collaboration in this industry. We’re delighted to continue our support.”
Next year’s event will hold extra significance for Hansen and his colleagues as 2027 marks the 130th anniversary of Skuld. It’s a milestone that returns him to the theme of navigating uncertainty in an unpredictable world.
“We’ve been here for a very long time,” he reflects, “and we’ve seen a lot of challenges, and a lot of change. Yet through it all Skuld, and this industry as a whole, has sailed onwards by adapting, delivering value and working closely with partners to build connections. The times may have changed, but the commitment hasn’t.”
Hansen sits back and swivels his chair, squinting into the Scandinavian sunshine.
“I’m optimistic,” he concludes. “I truly believe we’re getting stronger, together. We just have to keep building on that collective strength.