Chubb Steps Up Navigating Perilous Straits

Into the Breach Again

Right this is Ripley last survivor of the Nostromo reporting for duty. Seems even back on Earth or what's left of it we're still dealing with tight squeezes and deadly threats. Only this time instead of Xenomorphs it's geopolitics and oil tankers. I've seen enough to know that when someone says 'it's essential for resuming trade flows,' someone's about to get burned – and it usually isn't the corporation.

Chubb to the Rescue

So Chubb the insurance folks are stepping up to underwrite a U.S. government program for ships brave enough – or foolish enough – to sail through the Strait of Hormuz. Apparently there's some 'situation' brewing near Iran and nobody wants their fancy oil tankers turning into oversized very expensive flaming space debris. Seems like a lot of hassle when the real danger may be Bristol Myers Squibb Defies Market Gloom With Bullish Forecast or whatever else corporations are cooking up behind closed doors.

Twenty Billion Reasons to Worry

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is throwing around a cool $20 billion in reinsurance to cover potential damages. That's a lot of cheddar even for a galaxy hopping menace like the Company. They’re saying it covers hulls machinery cargo and even environmental cleanup. But I've learned that what they say and what actually happens are usually two very different things. Remember Hadley's Hope? 'Safe' they said. 'Guaranteed return' they said. Yeah right.

Risk Assessment: High

Here's the kicker: ships won't move if crews fear for their lives. Insurance might help the bigwigs sleep at night but it won't stop a missile. As a veteran of countless close calls I can attest that no amount of money can replace a good solid pulse rifle and a healthy dose of paranoia. Maybe they should insure the crews' sanity too. That might be a harder sell.

Trump's Two Cents

Of course no global crisis is complete without someone threatening to 'take it over'. Reminds me of Burke promising us a share of the Xenomorph pie. Trump's threatening Iran with a beatdown 'TWENTY TIMES HARDER' if they mess with the shipments. Sounds like someone needs to lay off the Weyland Yutani coffee and take a nap.

Hope or Hype?

The ideal scenario is an end to the conflict. Failing that the U.S. might escort ships through the strait. A 'physical insurance' combined with financial backing is the idea. But let's be real. Sometimes you just have to nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure. Though in this case that might have...unforeseen consequences. Over and out.