Gard chairman Bengt Hermelin has called for reform of the mutual protection and indemnity system.

In his final report to members, Hermelin advocates a change to the voting system of the International Group — the organisation that links the 13 leading P&I mutuals — as well as consolidation among the smaller clubs.

Key decisions made by the International Group P&I cartel are on the basis of one club one vote, despite Gard being about 10 times the size of the smallest mutual.