Marine Insurance in 2025: Covering Cargo by Land, Air, and Sea
When people hear the term "marine insurance," they often imagine cargo ships crossing oceans. But in 2025, marine insurance has grown far beyond its nautical roots. It now plays a vital role in covering risks associated with goods transported by land, air, and inland waterways making it one of the most adaptable and essential types of commercial insurance in global trade.
In this blog, we explore the expanded scope of marine insurance, how it protects businesses across various transit modes, and why Indian exporters, importers, and logistics companies must rethink what marine coverage truly means.
Marine Insurance: More Than Ocean Freight
Historically, marine insurance was designed to cover cargo on ocean-going vessels. However, modern logistics chains are multimodal. Today, a single shipment may travel:
From a warehouse in Delhi (by truck)
To Mumbai port (by rail)
Cross the ocean to Rotterdam (by ship)
And continue to Berlin (by truck or rail)
Marine insurance now protects the entire journey, not just the sea leg. This is referred to as "warehouse-to-warehouse" coverage.
What’s Covered Today Under Marine Insurance?
In 2025, marine insurance policies can cover:
Loss or damage during road, rail, sea, or air transit
Natural disasters (storms, floods, fires)
Accidents, pilferage, and handling damage
Wars, strikes, riots, and civil commotion (SRCC) extensions
General average losses (shared losses among all cargo owners during emergencies)
Whether you’re shipping textiles, electronics, chemicals, or frozen food, there's a policy tailored to your cargo’s risk profile.
Multimodal Transport: One Policy, Many Legs
Multimodal transport has become the backbone of international trade. Marine insurance policies today can be customized to cover:
First-mile pickup from your warehouse
Main sea or air transit
Last-mile delivery to the end customer
This ensures protection even if damage occurs during local trucking or international air freight.
Who Needs Marine Insurance in 2025?
Exporters and Importers: Especially those using CIF or FOB Incoterms
E-commerce Sellers: Shipping electronics or fashion globally
Logistics Companies: Managing high-value or sensitive shipments
Manufacturers: Moving raw materials across borders
Even small businesses that ship through platforms like Amazon Global or Shopify should consider coverage for loss/damage during international transit.
Marine Insurance vs Other Types
Marine insurance should not be confused with:
Motor insurance (for trucks or private vehicles)
Fire insurance (for stationary warehouses)
Health or liability insurance (for personnel)
It is purpose-built for cargo and freight, offering specialized clauses and terms.
Marine Insurance in India: Key Trends
IRDAI regulations have improved transparency in 2025
Digital marine policy issuance and tracking are now common
Domestic insurers offer competitive rates and better multimodal cover options
Global reinsurers are increasingly collaborating with Indian providers
Final Thoughts
Marine insurance in 2025 goes far beyond oceans. It covers your cargo from warehouse to warehouse, regardless of the route or transport mode. For Indian businesses involved in global trade, understanding and leveraging this evolving insurance tool is critical to managing risk, reducing loss, and gaining customer trust.
Need help choosing the right marine insurance policy for multimodal shipping? Visit https://btwimf.com for expert advice and customizable solutions.
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