About Hien Burnside
My journey began in Vietnam, where I developed an early interest in shipping, vessels, and the way marine incidents become insurance claims. I gained practical experience supporting P&I and Hull & Machinery matters involving shipowners. This early work taught me that a marine claim is never just a collection of documents. It requires an understanding of vessel operations, evidence, contractual relationships, and the different interests involved.
Wanting to develop a broader international perspective, I left Vietnam to continue my maritime education. In 2012, I completed a Master of Science in Shipping and Port Management at the World Maritime University in Malmö, Sweden. Studying alongside maritime professionals from around the world broadened my understanding of international shipping, port operations, and maritime management.
After completing my studies, I returned to Vietnam and worked as a manager for a P&I Club correspondent office, supporting local shipowners and assisting with a wide range of P&I matters and claims. Motivated to deepen my knowledge of maritime risk and insurance, I completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Insurance in 2014.
I also wanted to understand the maritime world through practical experience rather than only through reports and claims files. I therefore completed basic maritime training in the Philippines and volunteered for nearly a year aboard a hospital ship serving communities in Africa. Working primarily as a deckhand, I gained first-hand insight into shipboard life, safety, teamwork, and the realities of vessel operations.
My journey later continued in the United States, where I gained experience in marine claims and worked with multinational cargo insurance programmes and major commercial accounts. The work involved complex losses, extensive documentation, technical evidence, policy interpretation, and coordination with stakeholders across multiple continents. I also gained experience in marine cargo, Hull & Machinery, and liability claims.
Since 2019, I have held a U.S. insurance adjuster licence as part of my continued professional development. I am also a member of the Association of Average Adjusters, reflecting my commitment to professional standards within the marine insurance and claims profession.
In 2026, I founded Lola Marine Services in the Netherlands to bring together the knowledge and experience gained throughout my career in vessel operations, maritime education, life at sea, international insurance programmes, and marine claims handling.
Today, through Lola Marine Services, I provide independent review and analysis of marine claim documentation, including cargo and Hull & Machinery claims documentation. My work also includes coordination support involving surveyors and other appropriate experts, factual reporting, and collaboration with professional partners around the world.
My goal is to provide clients with practical, independent, and well-documented marine claims support, delivered with professionalism, integrity, and attention to detail.
Hien Burnside
Founder & Managing Director
Lola Marine Services