IMU as an MGA Insurer
IMU is a specialist MGA insurer focused on marine liability insurance. Our core business is Charterers’ Liability, serving a wide variety of charterers, including a substantial portfolio of commodity traders.
Headquartered in Rotterdam, IMU employs a team of around 30 professionals, of whom at least 10 hold maritime legal qualifications and form our dedicated Legal & Claims Department. Reflecting our international outlook, our team includes professionals of Dutch, Italian, French, Chilean, Greek, Turkish, Latvian, and Australian nationalities.
In addition, we have established a Legal Advice & Support Desk, staffed by two legal professionals who assist clients and colleagues on matters not directly connected to active claim files.
Our origins
IMU was founded in 2018 by Martin Lanting, a veteran of the P&I and Charterers’ Liability market. Martin previously founded RaetsMarine in 1993, an MGA insurer later acquired by MS Amlin in 2013. Following a sabbatical, he returned to the industry with a renewed vision: to build IMU as a service-oriented MGA insurer combining deep maritime expertise with a modern, collaborative approach.
Since its inception, IMU has grown into a trusted MGA with a portfolio exceeding 250 Charterers worldwide.
Our partnerships and market position
IMU has built a strong professional relationship with Marine Insurance Brokers worldwide. We work in close partnership to deliver the highest standards of service, operating on the principle that success depends on a collaborative and transparent relationship between insurer, broker, and client. Our shared goal is to combine value creation with knowledge sharing, ensuring optimal results for our clients.
IMU operates not as an agent, but as an insurer. Our authority is delegated, granting us full discretion in underwriting and claims-handling decisions. Major claims are reported to our risk carrier on a case-by-case basis, yet the handling always remains with IMU.
We have also established a strong partnership with the Noord Nederlandsche Protectie Club (NNPC) in the Netherlands, founded in 1937 as a mutual P&I Club for Dutch shipowners.
The NNPC has long maintained a close relationship with the International Group of P&I Clubs, reflecting its deep-rooted expertise and reputation in the maritime insurance sector. Its reinsurance security is provided by NorthStandard, and together we offer our clients a combined strength of specialised services, underwriting expertise, and financial stability.
IMU in-house servicing
Our business model is built on investment in in-house expertise. We employ professionals who are fully capable of handling each matter on its merits. IMU does not operate as an intermediary or agent; instead, we manage as much as possible internally, minimising reliance on external service providers to ensure both speed and cost efficiency.
This approach ensures:
Direct and efficient communication with brokers and clients.
Proactive case handling, resulting in faster and more practical solutions.
Cost advantages, as all work carried out by IMU’s in-house professionals is free of charge to the Assureds.
Our in-housework is recorded on an hourly basis, with these costs covered by the risk carrier. They appear on the Assured’s loss record, but only as a minor impact factor, preserving overall premium stability.
Handling of claims
Charterers’ Liability claims typically arise from third parties who allege that a liability has been incurred for which the Assured can be held liable, either under a contractual obligation or through non-contractual legal liability.
Any claim that can be successfully defended will not be recorded on the Assured’s loss record. This provides a clear incentive for IMU and the Assured to pursue each case on its merits and to apply a thorough, intrinsic approach to liability assessment and defence.
Our philosophy is simple: a well-managed claim protects both the Assured’s reputation and their loss record, ultimately supporting long-term stability and insurability.
MARINE DEFENCE (FD&D)
With deep understanding of our clients’ business, we fully appreciate and acknowledge the volatility of the chartering and freight markets. Disputes can easily arise, particularly when circumstances do not align with plans or forecasts.
At IMU, we listen carefully to our clients to understand how they may be exposed to commercial and operational disputes, and we assess their legal position in detail. We recognise that in situations where funds must be recovered from others, effective prioritisation is essential.
In all such matters, where we provide cover for legal costs, we leverage our in-house legal expertise to promote a proactive and solution-oriented approach. Our objective is always to resolve disputes in the best possible interest of our Assureds, combining legal precision with commercial pragmatism.
A successful team at IMU is one where ambition and ability are balanced. Every team member has the opportunity to grow while contributing meaningfully to the organisation’s goals.
Each recruitment process goes through what IMU calls a “precision test” — assessing both what the candidate wants to achieve and what they are capable of delivering, ensuring mutual growth and satisfaction.
Yes. IMU recognises that both ambition and ability evolve. The company supports continuous learning and career development to maintain a healthy balance between the two.
