International Group of P&I Clubs approval

The International Group of P&I Clubs is an association of mutual protection and indemnity (P&I) insurers that provide marine liability cover to shipowners. Its notice of 4 February 2025 explains that Club Rules cover liabilities arising from the carriage of cargo under paperless trading systems only if the Group has first approved the system. The Group says it has approved electronic systems since 20 February 2010, to ensure they do not prejudice members' cover while eBLs lacked wide legal recognition. From 20 February 2025, a system is "deemed approved" if it permits only E-bills governed by a law that recognises them as equivalent to paper, and it is reliable, evidenced by an independent audit, a declaration by a supervisory, regulatory or accreditation body or voluntary scheme, or industry standards. Other systems still go through the Group's full approval process and published requirements. Approved systems are listed on the Group's website instead of announced by circular. On 17 October 2026 the list showed 21 systems: 15 approved through the full process and 6 deemed approved, each with the specific versions of terms approved. Approval concerns members' P&I cover: each Club's Rules prevail over the notice, and other Club Rule exclusions still apply.