Allianz Commercial’s latest Safety and Shipping Review warns that geopolitical tensions and shipping route disruptions are reshaping global maritime trade, while traditional risks such as machinery failures and vessel fires continue to challenge industry resilience and safety.

Luke Morawitz, Country Manager of Allianz Trade South Africa, says rising geopolitical tensions and higher global cost pressures are increasing insolvency risks for businesses, making cash-flow resilience and stronger credit risk management more important than ever.

Mpumi Tyikwe, CEO of Sasria, says the insurer’s strong financial recovery and capital growth position it to expand its mandate, strengthen resilience, and better address emerging risks such as climate-related events and socio-economic shocks.

Allianz Trade has appointed Luke Morawitz as Country Manager for South Africa, effective 1 February 2026, while he retains his role as Head of Credit. A 14-year veteran of the business, Morawitz succeeds into the leadership role reporting to Luca Burrafato, Head of MMEA.

The Allianz Risk Barometer 2026 highlights cyber incidents as the top global risk for a fifth year, with AI surging to second place amid rapid adoption, while geopolitical tensions, regulation, and business interruption continue reshaping the global risk landscape.

As festive foot traffic surges, slip-and-fall risks rise, highlighting recent case law on liability in malls. A key judgment confirms that cleaning contractors aren’t liable for hazards they aren’t contracted to monitor, placing primary responsibility on mall owners and managing agents.