Marine/energy under ‘greater than expected’ threat from climate crisis

The global offshore energy and shipping sectors are under a “greater than expected” threat from more extreme weather, sea-level rises and coastal erosion due to climate change, analysts at specialty re/insurance group  Chaucer have warned, calling for the industry and the insurance sector to come together to manage and mitigate these risks against future impacts.

In a new report, ‘Oceanographic climate change: The impact of ocean-based climate change trends’,  Chaucer warns that the offshore energy sector – particularly assets such as oil platforms and wind turbine installations – is on course for a “material change in risk exposure” from worsening extreme weather conditions including changes in storm patterns.

Chaucer cautions that some offshore facilities may not be designed to sufficiently withstand such environmental challenges and is calling for “collective action” to understand these risks better.

Chaucer emphasised that wind energy faces a particularly acute threat from climate change as the offshore sector continues its rapid growth, stretching beyond historical territorial boundaries. In addition to causing unforeseen damage, extreme weather and tropical storms can also restrict access to sites after the event, hindering maintenance and repairs, increasing costs, and making it hard to source skilled labour, particularly in regions not previously prone to experiencing such disruption.  Chaucer believes it is vital for manufacturers to evolve their designs to withstand the potential for greater frequency and severity of catastrophic weather events.

The report also highlights that the shipping industry is facing threats of more severe storms causing blockages and bottlenecks at ports, leading to ships being out at sea longer. Sea-level rises are leading to more “unnavigable waterways” and damage to lower-lying ports like Rotterdam and those in South East Asia, while coastal erosion is causing increased risk of grounding, with heightened risk of ships colliding with icebergs from increased glacial melt.

Chaucer explained that oceanographic climate change could also see new shipping routes develop. For example, the Northwest Passage above North America could become a viable commercial route. Canada and the Great Lakes could see greater use as routes into North America, while the cruise industry could also expand its footprint across the poles, it said.

James Brown, head of natural resources at  Chaucer, said: “The whole insurance industry needs to start working with their customers to adapt to climate change and to support increased resilience of their infrastructure, facilities and supply chains. Insurers have the opportunity to drive tangible change with marine and energy customers, brokers, regulators and governments.”

“Collective action is imperative,” Brown said, “to ensure we manage these risks, mitigate against future impacts and create new solutions for emerging opportunities in a rapidly changing market.”

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