About the NSOCC

The annual North Sea Operators’ Claims Conference Session draws together Shipowners, P&I clubs, marine surveyors, shipping lawyers and other experts, all with an interest in marine insurance claims matters, operating on the North Sea, the Baltic or Irish Sea.

At this friendly, welcoming event, competition is set aside with the aim of sharing ideas and experience and learning from each other in order to improve our ability to manage claims more effectively.

The two-day conference is packed with informative presentations and discussions.

There are also ample opportunities to talk to fellow members more informally, to get to know people with similar interests and to explore the culture of the host country.

photos: Andres Sanchez-Marin for NSOCC

Conference aims and scope

The primary aim of the NSOCC is to provide an annual forum for North Sea, Baltic and Irish Sea operators to discuss matters of common interest:

"In order to further elaborate our first thumb rules, we hereby, on request of the previous meeting, convene representatives of shipping companies employed in short sea services to the North Sea area. As our first meeting only included Norwegian and Swedish shipping companies we are very happy to note the interest met from shipping companies in Denmark and United Kingdom during the past summer ... Our first objective is to establish such procedures as are necessary for mastering the huge quantities of trailers passing through sea terminals and make it possible to efficiently process claims in connection therewith. For such claims processing a uniform document and uniform signs for description of damage would be valuable. In the future there are other objectives of common interest such as securing of cargo within articles of transport and avoidance of pilferage." Max Slotte, 21.9.1976

The NSOCC tackles a wide range of industry issues with the general focus on claims matters, for example:

• Standard trading conditions (North Sea Standard Conditions of Carriage)
• Cargo claims
• Passenger claims
• Ship design/building claims
• Navigation Handling practice for hazardous goods (Blue Card and the Yellow Card).

The NSOCC develops and promotes best practice relating to claims and the event has a strong educational element through the presentation of papers by delegates and other qualified speakers.

Who can attend?

This is principally an event by invitation for Shipowners operating a service on the North Sea, the Baltic or Irish Sea.

Other attendees provide specialist support for our sector, including insurance, legal and surveying expertise.

All Delegate members are required to be active in our business sector and attendance is by invitation.

A warm welcome is also extended to past Delegate members who have retired from active business.

Benefits

NSOCC attendees are able to:

• Discuss and develop best practices
• Share experience
• Meet other people operating in our sector
• Gain CPD points. NSOCC issues Continuing Professional Development certificates
• Visit different countries and experience different cultures

Cost

For each Yearly Session the Conference Host and the NSOCC Board of Directors volunteer their time to organise the event.

This is a 'not for profit' conference and we try to limit attendance costs. The cost usually covers administration (a service fee collected by NSOCC for organising and booking on behalf of the Delegate members, Speakers and guests), accommodation (if required), dine and wine, the conference venue hire itself and a local tour.

Sponsorship

In addition to the valued commitment of our Conference Host, the NSOCC is also supported not only by the Delegate Members attending to each Yearly Session but also by kind member organisations which sponsor elements of the programme. The NSOCC Board of Directors would like to thank assisting Delegate Members and Hosts for their generosity.

Next Session

The 47^th Session will take place in Hamburg from September 29 to October 1, 2025 co-hosted by SKULD Germany GmbH - Thomas Bjørn Larsen, Senior Vice President, Head of SKULD Hamburg 
and Scandlines Deutschland GmbH - Christian Liebetanz, Insurance Manager

To view a list of conferences, locations, hosts and highlights, please:

Explore the NSOCC timeline

For a more in depth knowledge, please:

Explore the NSOCC history