The new shipping route opened up through the Arctic by climate change will not be crowded any time soon; it's too risky a proposition for commercial insurers.
A ban on European Union insurers covering Iranian oil exports has forced shipowners to fall back on new, untested insurance providers, raising fears that governments may have to pay in the event of an oil spill.
A cargo ship now moving off the northwest coast of Scotland is believed to be carrying Russian weaponry to Syria, according to an insurer which says it has withdrawn coverage for the vessel.