Steamship Mutual is poised to make a further return of premium despite the first-half financial performance deteriorating in comparison to recent years.

The protection-and-indemnity club is to return 10% of premium paid for the year to February 2016 in a move that will give members a $26m discount on the cost of cover.

The return matches a similar discount for the 12 months to February 2015 that was agreed a year ago.