Vessel & Rig Construction Insurance Options - What You Must Know

Builder's All Risk (BAR):If required, coverage can include items to become
What is it? BAR coverage is first-party coveragepart of the vessel / rig under construction while in
which is essentially an all risk property policy, plusstorage at Suppliers' warehouses - usually those in
liability and protection and indemnity (P&I)relatively close proximity to the shipyard or else
extensions to it.those specifically declared to Underwriters.
Who is to be included within the NamedCoverage for Owner-Furnished Equipment (OFE)
Assureds? The parties to be included within theusually commences under the BAR section from
Named Assured Clause include Builder,the point whereby a Named Assured inspects and
Sub-Contractors, Owners, Lenders if applicable,accepts delivery of same at the port near the
and other parties with insurable interests ifrelevant shipyard (either on land or at sea).
applicableWhat comprises the Interest that is covered? We
Who is to have subrogation rights against themrecommend that all contract works that are to
waived? All parties with whom the Namedcomprise the new construction are included within
Assureds have agreed in their negotiations, inthe covered Interest. This includes all Contract
either a written or verbal contract, to waive theWorks of the Shipyard plus Sub-Contractors in
rights of subrogation should benefit from waiverrespect of the construction in all its phases,
of subrogation. Usually, Manufacturers of majorincluding design, engineering, procurement, strike
equipment are not amongst the parties whosteel, keel-laying, fabrication, construction,
receive the benefit of this waiver of subrogation;dry-docking, undocking, installation of equipment,
instead, they are held accountable for theirfitting out, supply of all materials
product and uphold their warranties provided topre-commissioning, testing, commissioning, sea
the shipyard and are prepared to allow recoursetrials and all works until delivery of the unit.
against them for failure or defects in their productWhat are the parts of coverage usually afforded
/ equipment.under BAR coverage?a. Property All Risk -
What is the period? We recommend that BARSubject to specific terms, conditions & exclusions,
coverage is in place during the entire course ofmarine builder's risk insurance (BAR) covers the
the vessel's / rig's construction; i.e., that coveragebuilder / owner (others with an insurable interest -
commence upon contract signing, remain in placeas specified in the policy) of a vessel / rig under
during design and engineering phase, throughoutconstruction against physical loss of, or damage
construction, and cease upon delivery to owner,to, the vessel / rig caused and discovered during
be it ex-Yard or at final Site following a transit.the period of insurance. We recommend that any
What is the Sum Insured? This sum is usuallyrestrictions be removed; common ones in
specified in the construction contract betweenstandard policies include those for earthquake,
Builder and Owner, and should include thevolcanic eruption, faulty design, and faulty welds.b.
estimated Final Contract Value (FCV) plus theCollision Liability - Sums paid by the respective
Owner-Furnished Equipment (OFE) [plus it canYard to any other person(s) arising out of the
include the value of the incoming hull in the eventYard's legal liability to pay sums for the following
of a conversion].damages, as consequence of any vessel the Yard
The inclusion of an Escalation Clause allows foris working on coming into collision with any other
coverage up to a certain percentage above thevessel:
Estimated Total Sum Insured, the standard- Loss or damage to any other vessel or
provision being 25% escalation.property thereon
In theory, the Builder's All Risk Underwriters- Delay to, or loss of, use of any other vessel or
reserve their capacity to ensure that they canproperty thereon
pay four times (4x) the limit multiplied by the- General average, salvage of, salvage under
escalation provision. With an escalation provision ofcontract of, any such other vessel or property
25%, this means that Underwriters would requirethereon.c. Protection & Indemnity (P&I) -
capacity to pay a claim of 500% of theSums paid by Yard to any other party arising out
Estimated Sum Insured, or 125% four times, i.e.,of Yard's legal liability to pay sums for the
once for physical damage, once for collision liability,following damages, as a consequence of an
once for protection & indemnity, and finally onceaccident or occurrence during the policy period:
for sue & labor expenses. We say "in theory"- Loss or damage to any fixed, movable,
because in practical application, Underwriters wouldproperty or any other thing or interest
likely come to a point of ceasing to pay sue &whatsoever
labor charges and instead pay the full amount of- Any attempted or actual raising, removal,
the physical damage / replacement costs.destruction of any fixed movable object or
An example wherein each coverage section isproperty or other thing, including the wreck of a
used is this:vessel, or any neglect to raise, remove or
During construction, an oily rag falls into the enginedestroy same
room sparking a fire which burns out of control- Liability assumed by the Yard under contracts of
and burns the lines mooring the vessel to thecustomary towage for purpose of entering or
dock. The vessel breaks free from her moorings,leaving the port or maneuvering within a port
and then collides with another vessel at an- Loss of life, personal injury, illness, and payments
adjacent shipyard which causes damages in themade for life salvage.d. Sue & Labor - Sums paid
hulls of both vessels. Then, the insured vesselfor the following expenses, as a consequence of
keeps on floating away out of control. Thean occurrence during the policy period, incurred in
shipyard personnel quickly hire a nearby tug in anattempts to minimize recoverable loss:
attempt to slow the vessel and get in close- In case of any loss or misfortune, it is the duty
enough proximity to fight the fire. The fire is notof the Assured and their servants and agents to
brought under control and the vessel eventuallytake such measures as may be reasonable for
sinks in a shipping channel. What is recoverablethe purpose of averting or minimizing a loss which
under a broad Builder's Risk policy?would be recoverable under this insurance.
- First party physical damage to be recoverable- Subject to the provisions of this clause, the
under the All Risk main sectionUnderwriters will contribute to charges properly
- Damage to the other vessel at the adjacentand reasonably incurred by the Assured their
shipyard to be recoverable under the Collisionservants or agents for such measures. General
Liability sectionaverage, salvage charges, collision defense or
- Wreck removal costs to be recoverable underattack costs and costs incurred by the Assured in
the P&I sectionavoiding, minimizing or contesting liability.
- Sue & Labor costs incurred by the hire of the- Measures taken by the Assured or the
tug boat and any fire fighting expenses to beUnderwriters with the object of saving, protecting
recoverable under the Sue & Labor sectionor recovering the subject-matter insured shall not
What are the Situation / places of coverage? Webe considered as a waiver or acceptance of
recommend that the Situation is territorialabandonment or otherwise prejudice the rights of
coverage which includes the movement ofeither party.
material and equipment between yards andWhat else should be considered / looked at with
various contractors' yards. Additionally, weBAR policy?
recommend ensuring the adequate distance that- Deductibles - Are they at levels that the
will be required during sea trials is specificallyAssureds can comfortably absorb? Do they apply
expressed within the coverage. (This is usuallyper occurrence and/or in the aggregate?
250NM.)