Norway's Gard is the latest protection and indemnity mutual to beef up its presence in Japan in the hope of winning more business from local owners.
Tadashi Sugimoto, managing director at Gard Japan, said he has ambitions to grow and diversify Gard's Japanese business streams through key appointments.
“These changes will focus our efforts to further develop and build our long-term partnerships with the Japanese shipping and maritime trading community, including the commodity, energy and offshore sectors,” he said.
The Arendal-based club has appointed Tatsuya Funatsu as claims executive in the south-west Japanese city of Imabari, which is the largest single shipowning community outside of Tokyo.
Lawyer Sammy Smallbone has joined Gard’s legal set up in Tokyo and the Norwegian mutual claims that, with the addition of Smallbone, it now has the strongest freight, demurrage and defence (FD&D) team in the country.
The pairs join Sven Jensen, who was appointed vice president of underwriting in Japan in September 2018.
“His [Jensen’s] permanent presence in Tokyo will enable us to develop our business and grow our presence in this important market even further,” Gard said in a statement.
TradeWinds reported previously how Japan has become a key battle ground for new business between members of the 13 International Group of Protection & Indemnity Clubs.
The mutuals will be encouraged by the recent decision of NYK Line — the country’s largest shipping company — to change its broker to Marsh JLT, which has opened up the prospect of a review of its P&I providers ahead of next year’s renewal.
