Brokers could write much more cover in the marine insurance sector, according to Melbourne Marine Insurance Forum Secretary Simon Farmer.

He says businesses that receive or transport goods by sea are often unaware of their liability if the container or ship suffers damage.

“It is not so much the value of the goods but the fact that any shipping company at any time can call ‘general average’ and all the cargo owners of the cargo on the ship will be responsible for the ship’s repairs or salvage,” he said. “And it does happen.”

Mr Farmer says most cargo owners are also often unaware that they are responsible for damage to the container.

The Melbourne Marine Insurance Forum replaces the Marine Discussion Group and the Marine Claims Forum and is intended to bring together a wide group of people involved in marine insurance.

It will meet on March 15 when DLA Phillips Fox consultant Ron Salter will speak on “inherent vice in marine insurance”.