Riding the storm: Managing heavy weather risks in Marine Insurance P&I Club News 11/02/2026 Storm seasons have been active in both the West and East recently, and the Northern Hemisphere winter season is upon us. At a recent WMO-IMO Symposium on Extreme Maritime Weather, participants noted that climate change is contributing to more frequent and intense extreme weather events, such as rapidly intensifying cyclones, which pose a major hazard to seafarers. Whilst not all heavy weather is extreme, failing to manage these risks can have serious consequences for those on board, ships and the environment. All ship types can be affected, although in different ways. For these reasons we run a series of Insights articles on heavy weather risks, with emphasis on strong winds and high waves, focusing on the following operational scenarios: in port and leaving port on passage at anchor, before entering port In this first Insight we introduce the topic and some relevant considerations. Frequency and severity In Gard’s experience heavy weather can be a factor in several claims and can feature more prominently in high severity claims. The recent IMO symposium heard that extreme weather was reported as a factor in at least one third of total losses in 2023. For 2024 the share was around a quarter. Fortunately, it is still relatively rare that ships are lost or that people are harmed by heavy weather affecting ships. However, Mother Nature can be cruel and fatalities or serious injuries do sometimes occur or at the very least endanger those onboard. Significant harm can also be caused to the environment, especially when bunkers or cargo are lost due to grounding or cargo stowage failure. Worst case, groundings can also result in wreck removal. From a pure property perspective, heavy weather can cause damage to the ship and again, although rare, the loss of a ship from structural failure or water ingress. On a more day-to-day basis, heavy weather can cause contact damage during port manoeuvres or anchor dragging, and cargo damage due to shifting or seawater contact. Ship factors It is important to understand how heavy weather can affect a particular ship. Vessels with high superstructures (cruise ships and car carriers), deck structures (offshore/heavy lift) or cargo areas (containerships) have large sail areas making them particularly vulnerable to strong winds. More conventional ships riding high in ballast (or without cargo undergoing repair) will also have enlarged sail areas. In addition, reduced propeller or rudder immersion may affect the vessel’s power and manoeuvrability. Ships having lower freeboards, with deck passages, openings and windows closer to sea level are more vulnerable to the effects of rough seas. Some vessels are more unique in design, and some will have built-in redundancies, such as back-up power when main propulsion is lost. Larger passenger ships must comply with SOLAS Safe Return to Port requirements, reflecting the potential consequences of an evacuation. Finally, the operational status of a vessel, including any defective equipment, can impair the ability to manage heavy weather risks. The structure, machinery and equipment of older vessels may be more vulnerable to the extra strains. The issue of an ageing world fleet combined with more extreme weather events is a combination that deserves consideration. As for new ships, there is debate about how weather risks – and ships’ ability to avoid severe conditions, especially in