Singapore International Reinsurance Conference highlights market shifts

The 22nd Singapore International Reinsurance Conference (SIRC) has convened industry leaders at the Sands Expo centre, marking a period of significant growth for the event. Recent data indicates SIRC has surpassed the Monte Carlo Rendez Vous de Septembre in registration size, with last year seeing 3,800 attendees.

The reinsurance market is currently experiencing a soft period characterized by superabundant capacity. Aon estimates that total reinsurer capital increased by US$15 billion during the first half of 2026, reaching a total of US$800 billion. This increase is supported by a relatively benign catastrophe experience so far this year.

Industry experts from Howden Re are noting a major shift toward alternative capital, which now accounts for nearly a quarter of the sector’s total capital base. Dedicated reinsurance capital exceeds US$500 billion following a period of strong profitability. The catastrophe bond market remains a central driver of this change, with nine-month issuance for 2026 reaching a new high of US$18.9 billion.