info@nnpc.nl+31 (0)50 534 32 11
    • Dutch
    • English
    • German
    • About NNPC
      • The best solution for our members and clients
      • Our specialists
      • Worldwide network
      • History
      • Working at NNPC
    • Products and services
      • Mutual insurance
      • Fixed Premium
      • Other insurances
        • Inland shipping
        • Marine insurance
      • Risk check
    • News and publications
      • Publications
      • News
      • Newsletter
      • NNPC downloads
    • Contact
    • My NNPC
    Search
    START TYPING AND PRESS ENTER TO SEARCH
    • About NNPC
      • The best solution for our members and clients
      • Our specialists
      • Worldwide network
      • History
      • Working at NNPC
    • Products and services
      • Mutual insurance
      • Fixed Premium
      • Other insurances
        • Inland shipping
        • Marine insurance
      • Risk check
    • News and publications
      • Publications
      • News
      • Newsletter
      • NNPC downloads
    • Contact
    • My NNPC
    Search

    Red Sea and Gulf of Aden – Update

    Published on January 5, 2024

    We have received several inquiries regarding the current situation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, particularly concerning the possibility of deviating to avoid these areas. We summarize the situation as follows:

    1. Deciding to deviate to avoid the Red Sea may have implications for P&I cover, as it could be seen as an unjustified deviation, potentially leading to a loss of cover. Before making such a decision, we strongly recommend that members contact the NNPC to assess the potential risks.
    2. Prior to determining if rerouting the vessel is an option, we advise owners to thoroughly review their contracts to confirm their contractual entitlement to do so.
    3. For new contract negotiations, we suggest that members include an appropriate liberty provision in their carriage contracts, allowing them to reroute to avoid affected areas.
    4. In case of disputes arising under existing contracts, the legal position must be assessed on a case-by-case basis due to the rapidly evolving and unpredictable nature of the situation. Particular attention should be given to the applicable “war risk” clause. When examining the BIMCO clauses:
      1. Under CONWARTIME 2013, owners can refuse charterers’ orders to transit an “area” if, in the reasonable judgment of the Master and/or the Owners, it may expose the vessel, cargo, crew, or other persons on board to War Risks.
      2. Under VOYWAR 2013, prior to the commencement of cargo loading, owners may cancel the charterparty or refuse to perform if it may, in the reasonable judgment of the Master and/or the Owners, expose the vessel, cargo, crew, or other persons on board to War Risks. Owners must first give charterers an opportunity to nominate an alternative safe port for loading or discharging.
      3. The test for determining whether owners have a basis to refuse to proceed is therefore subject to whether an area is deemed dangerous in accordance with the relevant clause. Owners must be able to provide evidence that an area may be dangerous or become dangerous for the vessel, cargo, crew, or other persons on board. Owners must conduct their own appropriate risk assessments before deciding to invoke the charterparty.
    5. It’s important to note that if owners refuse to proceed through the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden, and charterers’ instructions are found to be lawful, owners’ refusal to follow those orders may result in substantial claims for damages. Therefore, we recommend that members carefully consider any decisions in this regard. When sailing through these areas additional cover including for “War Risks” will be necessary.

    Finally, we refer to the recently published Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) Guidance, which can be accessed here. The guidance note informs that Operation PROSPERITY GUARDIAN has now commenced, and vessels transiting the Southern Red Sea should be aware of a significant increase in the number of coalition warships and aircraft operating in the area as part of this operation.

    Previous Post
    Amended regulations from the Maritime Safety Administration of the People’s Republic of China (China MSA): monitoring and inspections
    Next Post
    Interview: Karel Maes, claims handler at NNPC

    Latest news:

    MARPOL – Emission Control Areas (ECAs)

    20 Jun at 16:14

    Israel Security Update – Status of Israeli Ports Following Escalation with Iran

    18 Jun at 09:23

    The external costs of claims handling

    11 Jun at 10:36

    The consequences of an incorrect stowage factor

    5 Jun at 08:06

    NNPC Newsletter

    Want to stay informed about the latest developments in risk management? Then sign up for the monthly NNPC newsletter:

    Sign up

    Contact us

    Would you like to know more about one of our insurance policies, do the risk check or do you have another question? Contact us.

    Contact us

    Noord Nederlandsche P&I Club
    Rijksstraatweg 361
    9752 CH Haren (Groningen)

    Phone: +31(0)50 534 321 1
    E-mail: info@nnpc.nl

    PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

    • Mutual insurance
    • Fixed Premium insurance
    • Marine insurance
    • Inland shipping insurance
    • Risk check

    GO DIRECTLY TO

    • Contact
    • Find ships
    • Find correspondents
    • News and publications

    NEWSLETTER

    I would like to receive the digital newsletter of NNPC.

    Sign up

    FOLLOW US ON

    © 2025 NNPC – All rights reserved | Colofon | Privacy and cookies |

    Beheer cookie toestemming
    Om de beste ervaringen te bieden, gebruiken wij technologieën zoals cookies om informatie over je apparaat op te slaan en/of te raadplegen. Door in te stemmen met deze technologieën kunnen wij gegevens zoals surfgedrag of unieke ID's op deze site verwerken. Als je geen toestemming geeft of uw toestemming intrekt, kan dit een nadelige invloed hebben op bepaalde functies en mogelijkheden.
    Functioneel Always active
    De technische opslag of toegang is strikt noodzakelijk voor het legitieme doel het gebruik mogelijk te maken van een specifieke dienst waarom de abonnee of gebruiker uitdrukkelijk heeft gevraagd, of met als enig doel de uitvoering van de transmissie van een communicatie over een elektronisch communicatienetwerk.
    Voorkeuren
    De technische opslag of toegang is noodzakelijk voor het legitieme doel voorkeuren op te slaan die niet door de abonnee of gebruiker zijn aangevraagd.
    Statistieken
    De technische opslag of toegang die uitsluitend voor statistische doeleinden wordt gebruikt. De technische opslag of toegang die uitsluitend wordt gebruikt voor anonieme statistische doeleinden. Zonder dagvaarding, vrijwillige naleving door uw Internet Service Provider, of aanvullende gegevens van een derde partij, kan informatie die alleen voor dit doel wordt opgeslagen of opgehaald gewoonlijk niet worden gebruikt om je te identificeren.
    Marketing
    De technische opslag of toegang is nodig om gebruikersprofielen op te stellen voor het verzenden van reclame, of om de gebruiker op een site of over verschillende sites te volgen voor soortgelijke marketingdoeleinden.
    Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
    Bekijk voorkeuren
    {title} {title} {title}