The International Union of Marine Insurance has come out in support of the changes imposed on the International Association of Classification Societies membership criteria following an EU antitrust investigation. IUMI welcomed the shift to what it described as "qualitative rather than quantitative" criteria for membership of the organisation. IUMI secretary-general Fritz Stabinger said: "IUMI has always supported and endorsed industry efforts to achieve greater quality and transparency in its operations no matter which sector is involved. The chairman of IACS, which is an affiliate member of IUMI, has said that the primary concern of all its member societies is to promote the safety of life, property and the natural environment. IUMI fully aligns itself with these aims, which are the cornerstone of marine insurance practice, and welcomes what may be a new chapter in the classification of ships."
(Source: Maritime Global Net)