AIS and Marine Insurance Cover

Marine insurance plays a vital role in protecting ships, cargo, and crew from unexpected financial losses. To assess such risks, prevent fraud, and ensure compliance with international marine time regulations, the Automatic Identification System (AIS) has become an important factor in marine insurance policies. ...read more

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What is AIS?

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a tracking system that allows ships to communicate with each other and with shore stations. Initially developed for collision avoidance, it has now evolved to serve multiple functions.

With AIS, you can get real-time information about a vessel’s —

Location (latitude and longitude)
Speed and course
Voyage details
Cargo type
Vessel identity
Navigation status

AIS data is widely accessible to maritime authorities, insurers, and other stakeholders. It is an essential tool in marine risk assessment and regulatory compliance.

Why is AIS Important for Marine Insurance?

AIS plays a critical role in marine business insurance by providing insurers with real-time tracking and historical data about a vessel’s movements.

The key benefits of AIS for marine insurance include —

Risk Assessment – Helps insurers evaluate the level of risk associated with a vessel’s operations, ensuring appropriate coverage
Fraud Prevention – Identifies suspicious behaviours such as ship spoofing, unauthorised cargo transfers, or sudden disappearance of AIS signals
Regulatory Compliance – Ensures vessels adhere to international regulations and sanctions to avoid legal consequences
Claims Verification – Provides concrete data in case of accidents, cargo damage, or liability claims, making claim settlements more efficient
Policy Pricing – Supports accurate underwriting by allowing insurers to tailor policies based on a vessel’s historical data and risk exposure

Is AIS Mandatory?

Yes, as per the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), AIS is required for —

Ships of 300 GT and above engaged in international voyages
Cargo ships of 500 GT and above on domestic voyages
All passenger ships, regardless of size

AIS must remain operational at all times when a vessel is underway or at anchor. However, the ship’s master may switch off AIS if they believe continued transmission could compromise the safety or security of the vessel, its cargo, or crew.

Such actions must be recorded in the ship’s logbook, along with a justification for disabling AIS and the duration of the outage.

How Does AIS Impact Marine Shipping Insurance?

AIS data is used extensively by marine insurers to monitor vessel activity, evaluate risks, and enforce compliance.

Here is a breakdown of how AIS contributes to marine insurance processes —

Use Case	Description
Risk Assessment	Helps insurers determine the likelihood of claims by analysing a vessel’s navigation patterns
Fraud Detection	Detects ship spoofing, AIS signal tampering, and unauthorised cargo transfers
Sanctions Compliance	Ensures vessels don’t enter restricted or sanctioned territories
Claims Verification	Provides real-time and historical AIS data to support or dispute insurance claims
Improved Underwriting	Supports accurate policy pricing and ensures the alignment of coverage with actual risks

Consequences of Disabling AIS

If a ship intentionally disables AIS without a valid reason, it may face serious consequences, including —

Loss of Insurance Coverage – Insurers may void coverage if AIS manipulation suggests fraudulent activity or a breach of regulations
Violation of SOLAS Regulations – Non-compliance with AIS requirements can result in penalties, fines, and legal action from maritime authorities
Increased Scrutiny – Insurers and authorities may investigate vessels that repeatedly disable AIS or operate in high-risk zones without justification
Trade Restrictions – P&I (Protection & Indemnity) Clubs and other insurance providers may refuse to cover vessels that engage in AIS ‘cloaking’ practices linked to sanction violations or illegal trade

Conclusion

AIS is an essential tool in the marine industry, not only for enhancing safety but also for ensuring transparency in insurance policies. Shipowners who comply with AIS regulations can maintain valid insurance coverage, minimise risks, and enhance operational efficiency.

For expert guidance on marine insurance coverage, consult Policybazaar.ae and get the best protection for your shipping needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Marine insurance covers losses related to cargo, hull damage, third-party liabilities, and crew protection.

AIS stands for Automatic Identification System. It is not a type of insurance but rather a tracking system used to enhance maritime safety and support marine insurance policies.

ITC (Institute Time Clauses) B cover provides partial financial protection against losses due to accidents, weather conditions, and fire. However, it does not cover total losses or specific risks like theft or piracy, which may require additional coverage.

Losses due to willful misconduct, war, piracy (in some cases), and regulatory violations may not be covered.