NMU publishes latest War and Strikes Update

Authored by NMU

Although various risk scores have been updated this month – as they are every month – there were no movements between risk levels, meaning that the classification of countries and territories for the purpose of assessing/ setting war and strikes rates remains unchanged.

The three groupings below – elevated, high, and very high/ severe/ extreme – are therefore the same as last month.

Brokers are encouraged to share this update and the information below with cargo policyholders.

For Cargo Insurance policies arranged by NMU, the availability of cover against War and Strikes risks is determined by Munich Re Syndicate Ltd (MRSL) by reference to the risk levels within the JCC Cargo Watch List, which are established independently by IHS Markit for the Joint Cargo Committee of Lloyd’s and the IUA (commonly known as “the JCC”).

The geopolitical situation in every country and territory is continually monitored by IHS, and their risk scores are updated monthly, or more frequently if there is particular conflict, unrest or political instability.

There are seven risk levels that correspond to the risk scores:

Low – 0.0 to 0.7Moderate 0.8 to 1.5Elevated 1.6 to 2.3High 2.4 to 3.1Very high 3.2 to 4.3Severe 4.4 to 6.4Extreme 6.5 and higher

The JCC Cargo Watch List was most-recently updated on 4th January 2022, but there were no significant change(s).

Cover

Typically,

War risks means war, civil war, rebellion, insurrection or civil strife. It also includes damage caused by derelict mines, torpedoes, bombs or other weapons of war. War risks are only covered during transit.Strikes risks means damage caused by strikers, riots or civil commotions. It also includes terrorism in the UK.

If countries or territories are in the news because of events like these, then it can be considered likely that exposures will at the very least be subject to additional premium. And in particular, for those classified as “very high”, “severe” or “extreme” by IHS, the availability of War and Strikes cover should be checked in advance, as explained below.

Information about risks posed worldwide can also be found at www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/

Application

For most countries and territories, NMU premiums are inclusive of MRSL’s basic rate for war and strikes risks cover, the exceptions being:

Where covered, countries and territories for which the Risk Level is “elevated” or “high” may be subject to a surcharge rate typically not exceeding 0.10% and 0.15% respectively.The availability of cover (if any), the terms and conditions and the rate for countries and territories where the Risk Level is “very high”, “severe” or “extreme” is subject to change, and will only be determined at the time of shipment or the attachment of risk; notice to us of any such shipments or exposures is therefore required.

The surcharge rate or the availability of cover (if any) is applied in the following way:

For transits, at the time transit commences.For storage that is not in the ordinary course of transit, if insured, by reference to the most recent update to the JCC Cargo Watch List on an ongoing basis.

Full details of the countries and territories within these groups can be found below.

This information is valid until the next change in the JCC Cargo Watch List, which is reviewed every month, or more frequently at times of heightened tension.

Risk Level = Elevated1

These countries and territories are typically subject to a surcharge rate not exceeding 0.10%:

Argentina
Bangladesh2
Brazil
Burundi2
Congo2 10
Egypt
Eritrea
Georgia2
Guinea2
India8
Indonesia2
Ivory Coast
Malay Peninsula14
North Korea3
Peru
Russia
South Korea
Turkey

Risk Level = High1

These countries and territories are typically subject to a surcharge rate not exceeding 0.15%:

Burkina Faso2
Cameroon10
Colombia
DR Congo2 11
Gulf of Aden6
Israel
Kenya2
Mozambique
Niger
Pakistan2
South Sudan3
Sudan2 3
Ukraine
Venezuela3

Risk Level = Very High, Severe or Extreme1

The availability of cover (if any), the terms and conditions and the rate for these countries and territories is subject to change, and will only be determined at the time of shipment or the attachment of risk; notice to us of any such shipments or exposures is therefore required:

Afghanistan3
Central African Republic2 3
Chad
Ethiopia2
Gulf of Guinea7
Iran2 3
Iraq2 3
Lebanon3
Libya3
Mali2 3
Nigeria2
Occupied Palestinian Territory12
Persian Gulf13
Saudi Arabia
Somalia3
Syria3
Yemen2 3

Contact us

For more information about War and Strikes or Cargo Insurance, please contact your NMU cargo specialist.

Notes

1 As at 4th January 2022.

2 Legislation in these countries may prohibit the insurance of imports or exports outside them.

3 Sendings to or from these locations are not normally covered unless specifically agreed by us in writing.

4 Within 200km of land border with Ukraine plus Black Sea within territorial waters.

5 Plus Black Sea within territorial waters.

6 Gulf of Aden sea area and to 65° E off the Somali coast, bound to the north by latitude 23°30 N, and bound to the south by 12°S and in the Red Sea by 14°N.

7 Gulf of Guinea, in the sea area between 4°30’W 5°8’44.274″N and 3°6’13.966″W 2°20’12.8″N in the west, and 9°46’18.636″E 2°20’12.8″N (Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea border) in the east.

8 Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Kashmir, and Nagaland.

9 North Caucasus Federal District, less Stavropol Territory.

10 Republic of Congo.

11 Formerly Zaire.

12 The Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.

13 Persian or Arabian Gulf and adjacent waters including the Gulf of Oman west of Longitude 58°E, in respect of bulk oil and petrochemical products including LNG and LPG.

14 Singapore Strait in its entirety and the South China Sea bound at 4°N to the north, 1°N to the south and 106°E to the east.