Marine insurers in 2026 are facing new challenges in the area of insurance pricing due to changes in the accuracy of risk data and the history of marine activities. These changes have specifically impacted pricing and risk assessment.
Issues with AIS-Based Voyage History
The voyage history of ships, which is based on AIS (Automatic Identification System) data, is considered a primary input in marine loss modeling. In 2026, the accuracy of this data has significantly decreased. In the second quarter of 2026, 171,286 ships worldwide were affected by GPS disruptions. Since the start of Epic Fury operations, 3.35 million false ship-to-ship sessions have been recorded, where fake coordinates have caused ships to appear to meet.
Read more: Marine Transport Council Report on Safety Deficiencies in Cargo Units
Increase in Dark Activities
The Windward marine risk report in the second quarter of 2026 showed that 2,157 bulk and oil tankers with a capacity of over 10,000 DWT engaged in at least one dark activity lasting more than three days. This figure is nearly five times the number of registered ships in the first quarter of the year. The increase in dark activities allows insurers to price based on incomplete records, as these periods may include marine operations not recorded in AIS.
Unreliability of Declared Documentation
Ship identity verification has traditionally relied on declared documentation such as registered flag and ownership. However, in 2026, this picture has become significantly unreliable. In the second quarter of 2026, 275 international tankers broadcasted a fake registration flag. Nearly 62% of the 430 tankers active in Iranian trade displayed fake flags.
This change in the credibility of documentation impacts what this documented image represents and challenges insurers. As a result, insurers must analyze data more carefully and price risks with greater precision.
Read more: Greg Stanton Calls for Acceleration in Ship Recycling License Issuance in India · Soybeans Move Away from Initial Lows but Fail in Export Market
