We caught up with Barbara Vida, Head of Technical Underwriting Cargo at Alta Signa, to get her insights on the evolving marine cargo insurance landscape. Renowned across the Italian cargo market for her expertise and leadership, Barbara has held senior roles at leading insurers shaping successful portfolios within the MGA space.
Barbara is at the heart of Alta Signa’s Marine operations. Her deep technical knowledge, sharp underwriting acumen, and commitment to continuous improvement make her an invaluable part of our team. We asked Barbara to share her views on current market conditions, key trends to watch in 2025, and how Alta Signa is positioning itself to lead in a changing cargo insurance environment.
How would you describe the state of the marine cargo insurance market, and what shifts do you anticipate in 2025?
The marine cargo insurance market is at a turning point. On one hand, geopolitical tensions and climate-related risks continue to create uncertainty, maintaining pressure on rates - particularly for high-risk regions and complex supply chains. This acts as a brake on a full market softening.
On the other hand, we’re seeing a resurgence in global trade volumes post-COVID and the entry of new capacity into the market. This, combined with strong competition - especially in the small to mid-sized domestic cargo segment - is driving down rates in less exposed areas.
As a result, in 2025 we expect a selective softening, where quality risks in stable geographies will benefit from increased competition, while capacity for more volatile exposures remains constrained.
What are the biggest challenges facing underwriters and brokers in the marine cargo sector - particularly regarding geopolitical instability, supply chain disruptions, and inflationary pressures?
The marine cargo sector is facing a perfect storm of challenges. Geopolitical instability and shifting trade routes are increasing risk volatility, while evolving sanctions and compliance requirements demand far greater diligence. At the same time, ongoing supply chain disruptions - like port delays and longer transit times - heighten exposure to damage, theft, and cargo accumulation. Inflation adds further pressure by driving up replacement costs and claim severity, often outpacing insured values. These combined forces are pushing underwriters and brokers to be more agile, technically precise, and compliance-focused than ever.
Our growth opportunities are to provide support to our brokers on the technical and professional side. The greatest opportunities lie in adapting to new trade flows, digitizing risk management, and offering more flexible, tailored coverage. As global trade shifts - with nearshoring, new logistics hubs, and emerging markets - insurers that understand local dynamics and can move quickly will gain a competitive edge. Clients are also demanding more than just capacity - they want insight, responsiveness, and coverage that reflects modern risks like geopolitical volatility, ESG concerns, and cyber exposures. In this context, the value of expert underwriters and agile MGAs has never been clearer.
How does Alta Signa differentiate its marine cargo proposition in a competitive European market, and what value are you offering to brokers and insureds looking for expertise and responsiveness?
Alta Signa stands out through a combination of technical underwriting expertise, local market knowledge, and a truly broker-centric approach. In a competitive environment, we’re not just offering capacity - we’re delivering access to decision-makers, fast turnaround times, and tailored solutions built around the specific needs of brokers and their clients. In a landscape shaped by uncertainty - whether from geopolitical risks, supply chain volatility, or inflation - what brokers and clients value most is clarity, flexibility, and reliability. That’s exactly where we position ourselves.
Alta Signa’s Marine unit focuses on core marine lines of business, and is backed by Alta Signa’s leading panel of insurance partners. The experience and expertise of our team lies in specialised areas, such as Blue Ocean, Yacht and Cargo coverages. Find out more.