Corporate life expectancy on average runs to a mere 15 years but the longevity of protection-and-indemnity (P&I) clubs is on a very different scale.

When the American Club hits its centenary next month all but one of the 13 International Group clubs will be more than 100 years old, with four having seen more than 150 renewals. The exception is the Japan Club, at a mere 67 years old.