The history of NNPC:
Over eight decades of maritime assurance

The Noord Nederlandsche P&I Club (NNPC) was established on 18 January 1937 with the aim of providing liability insurance to Dutch shipowners and captains. At the time, shipowners could only turn to British P&I clubs. The founders sought to offer a Dutch alternative.

For more than eighty years, NNPC has been a reliable partner in maritime insurance. We have consistently demonstrated our commitment by critically assessing the competitiveness of our premiums and adapting to new developments in the industry. What began as an insurance provider for individual shipowners and captains has evolved into a trusted insurer for small to large shipping companies in the coastal trade. Over the past decades, our insured fleet has grown significantly and we have expanded our services to include inland shipping.

Explore our history in five chapters:

The birth of a northern pioneer

In 1937, the Noord Nederlandsche P&I Club (NNPC) was founded as the first Dutch protection and indemnity insurance club for shipowners. At a time when maritime liability risks were sharply rising, Dutch shipowners had to rely on British clubs – until the enterprising coastal shipping community in Groningen created their own. NNPC began modestly but professionally, with member contributions and legal support from the start. Even during the turmoil of war, it remained a dependable resource for its members.

The golden age of coastal shipping

After World War II, coastal shipping from Groningen experienced a remarkable boom. Freight demand exploded, the shallow-draft Groninger coasters gained global appeal and NNPC grew alongside the fleet. In the 1950s, membership rose rapidly. The club handled legal and operational issues with increasing efficiency – ranging from cargo discrepancies to stowaways onboard.

Rough seas – the battle to survive

The 1960s and ’70s brought a deep crisis to small-scale commercial shipping. Competition, containerization and rising oil prices devastated the Dutch coaster sector. NNPC responded by introducing reinsurance and revising its premium structure. While membership shrank, the fleet’s average size and complexity grew, reshaping the insurance landscape.

Between tradition and technology – the turning point

By the mid-1980s, the shipping sector began recovering. Government incentives and global standards modernized the fleet, but new threats emerged: environmental damage, drug smuggling and personal injury claims. NNPC joined international reinsurance pools and repositioned itself as a unique Dutch player in an increasingly globalized market.

Growth in the new millennium – from local to global

In the 21st century, NNPC transformed: streamlined leadership, international clients, digital innovation and even a world-first kidnap and ransom policy. Despite fleet turnover, the club surpassed 1 million gross tons, attracting a more diverse, global membership with tailored services and preventive expertise.