Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) — recently crowned as the world’s largest container ship operator — has parted company with protection and indemnity insurer West of England after more than two decades.

The move is one of the biggest amid frenzied club swapping at this year’s P&I renewal. Clubs are calling for double-digit increases in annual premium while also turning up the heat on owners with an adverse claims record, putting them at odds with their shipowner members.

Broking sources suggest that MSC was one of a number of shipowners that were not offered renewal terms by the West of England.