You’ll hear Rolf’s perspective on how Gard balances tradition with innovation, why sustainability drives their mission, and what the future holds for risk management in shipping. Through this discussion, he reflects on the role of LLMs, increased affordability and accessibility to data is about to change insurance at it’s core – pricing risk.
Rolf also shares his journey from studying geography and economics to how a being county governor eventually led him at the helm of an organization that insures half of the world’s merchant fleet. The conversation covers the evolution of marine insurance, the strength of mutual risk-sharing, and how the industry is navigating unprecedented challenges—from pandemics and geopolitical turmoil to the green transition and emerging technologies.
1:20 – From Geography Major to Insurance Company CEO
3:07 – How did I become a county governor?
5:40 – The “Carbon-Free” Insurance Company of 1907
6:43 – What made you stay at the same Insurance Company for 30 Years?
7:20 – Marine Insurance: Insuring Everything that Gets Your Feet Wet
8:20- The Mutual Model: Why Shipowners Own Their Insurer?
14:50 – Navigating the Pandemic, War & The “Dark Fleet”
19:20 – Insuring the Uninsurable
28:30 – Insuring the Green Transition
37:00 – Your Team Is Not Enough: The #1 Skill for Success
44:10 – Is Marine Insurance Boring or A Hidden Gem in Today’s Job Market?
In this episode, GSBN CEO Bertrand Chen sits down with Rolf Thore Roppestad, CEO of Gard AS—the world’s largest marine insurer—to explore how Gard manages risk and their unique role in maritime insurance propelling innovation and new risk taking in the maritime industry.