Steamship Mutual (Club), one of the largest and most diverse providers of Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurance globally, celebrates its 115th anniversary in the industry this year. Aligned with this milestone and with its recently named Chair for Steamship Mutual (Bermuda) Doris Ho based in Manila, the group’s Boards and management held this year’s quarterly meeting in the Philippines, from January 27 to 29.
In 2023, Magsaysay Group President and CEO Doris Ho was appointed as the first-ever woman to be named Chair of Steamship Mutual Underwriting Association (Bermuda) Limited, and she is also the first female Chair of any of the P&I Clubs globally. As Chair, Ms. Ho hosted a three-day event in Manila, where she welcomed the Steamship Mutual Boards and hosted dinner engagements at her residence. To bask in and truly experience the Filipino hospitality that the Southeast Asian country is known for is undeniably exceptional.
In the morning of January 28, the Steamship Mutual boards and management were treated to a Manila historical tour facilitated by TravelPeople. Places visited include Fort Santiago, Casa Manila, and San Agustin Church. Furthermore, the delegates had the opportunity to meet and speak with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. at the Goldenberg Mansion in Malacañang Palace.
Held on January 29 at Shangri-La The Fort, the Club Board Meeting discussed the club’s growth and operations. With the support of its members, the Club is one of the strongest in the P&I market in terms of its financial position and tonnage growth. Capping off the event was a dinner and a few songs from Gary Valenciano, one of the Philippines’ most respected performers.
The Club conducts meeting location rotations around the major shipping centers where the Club does business. For 2024, Manila was chosen recognizing the Philippines as a leading source of maritime labor and the Filipino seafarers as contributors to the Club Members’ operations. Furthermore, Steamship Mutual acknowledged the role of Ms. Ho has played and being the first female Chair of the Club’s Board.