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The Strait of Hormuz: Guidance to Members
Escalating geopolitical tensions and recent security developments in the Strait of Hormuz have renewed focus on the legal and commercial risks associated with transiting one of the world’s most strategically significant maritime corridors.
As a principal conduit for hydrocarbon exports from the Persian Gulf to international markets, any deterioration in the operating environment has immediate implications for freight markets, insurance costs, and voyage planning. In this context, stakeholders are closely examining the impact on charterparty performance, including the operation of war risks provisions, safe port warranties, force majeure clauses, deviation rights, and off-hire regimes.
Our Strait of Hormuz page will be updated regularly with updates from our Correspondents as well as our Claims and Loss Prevention Departments.
Guidance to Members
Local Correspondents, Inchcape, are providing Port updates.
Members are encouraged to sign up to receive those directly from Inchcape. Reports for the month of March are also linked below.
Inchcape report:
Inchcape report - 31/03/2026 - 17:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 30/03/2026 - 10:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 29/03/2026 - 17:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 29/03/2026 - 10:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 28/03/2026 - 17:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 28/03/2026 - 10:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 27/03/2026 - 17:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 27/03/2026 - 10:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 26/03/2026 - 17:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 26/03/2026 - 10:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 25/03/2026 - 17:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 25/03/2026 - 09:30 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 24/03/2026 - 16:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 24/03/2026 - 09:30 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 23/03/2026 - 17:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 23/03/2026 - 10:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 22/03/2026 - 17:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 22/03/2026 - 11:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 21/03/2026 - 11:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 20/03/2026 - 17:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 20/03/2026 - 10:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 19/03/2026 - 17:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 19/03/2026 - 10:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 18/03/2026 - 17:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 18/03/2026 - 10:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 17/03/2026 - 17:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 17/03/2026 - 10:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 16/03/2026 - 17:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 16/03/2026 - 09:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 15/03/2026 - 17:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 15/03/2026 - 10:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 14/03/2026 - 16:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 14/03/2026 - 10:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 13/03/2026 - 17:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 12/03/2026 - 17:30 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 12/03/2026 - 10:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 11/03/2026 - 17:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 11/03/2026 - 10:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 10/03/2026 - 16:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 10/03/2026 - 10:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 09/03/2026 - 17:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 09/03/2026 - 10:30 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 08/03/2026 - 17:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 08/03/2026 - 10:30 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 07/03/2026 - 16:30 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 07/03/2026 - 11:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 06/03/2026 - 16:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 06/03/2026 - 11:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 05/03/2026 - 16:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 05/03/2026 - 10:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 04/03/2026 - 16:30 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 04/03/2026 - 10:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 03/03/2026 - 16:30 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 03/03/2026 - 11:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 02/03/2026 - 18:00 UAE LT
Inchcape report - 02/03/2026 - 10:30 UAE LT
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EoS briefing - 18/03/2026 - 19:00 UTC
18 March - Update: Current threat level in the Strait of Hormuz
EoS briefing - 13/03/2026 - 15:00 UTC
13 March - Update: Current threat level in the Strait of Hormuz
EoS briefing - 11/03/2026 - 15:00 UTC
11 March - Update: Current threat level in the Strait of Hormuz
EoS briefing - 06/03/2026 - 08:30 UTC
Update: Current threat level in the Strait of Hormuz
EoS briefing - 03/03/2026 - 08:00 UTC
Update: Current threat level in the Strait of Hormuz
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SoH - DG Shipping - safety advisory - 6/03/2026
DG Shipping - safety advisory 10 of 2026
Following recent developments, the Association has received notice of cancellation from its reinsurers in respect of war risks liabilities arising within Iranian waters and the Persian/Arabian Gulf. This new exclusion does not apply to Mutual P&I and FD&D cover. Please see our Notice to Members No.1 2026/27 - Notice of Cancellation in respect of non-mutual War Risk Business, for more information.
As noted here, a War buy-back facility has been arranged and is now available to Chartering and Fixed Owned Members. For additional information and to discuss the cover available in further detail please reach out to your usual point of contact in the Underwriting team.
The views expressed below are based on English law. They are general and the contractual, cargo and factual circumstances will be different in each case. This note is therefore intended for general guidance only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Should you require specific advice on a situation please contact the Club.
Please visit: Charterparty Considerations
Astaara Update to interested parties on ongoing US-Israeli War (“Operation Epic Fury”) with Iran - 12 March 2026
Astaara on Iranian cyber capability - 12 March 2026
West is proud to have partnered with Astaara, a cyber risk services company dedicated to providing integrated, holistic risk management solutions for the maritime industry. For further information, see here.
For queries and general information, please contact us.
Latest Notice to Members
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Notices to Members 28 May, 2026No.4 2026/27 - UK Expands Russia Sanctions Regime: Key Implications for Maritime, Energy and Trade
On 20 May 2026, the UK Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/543) (“Amended Regulations”) along with an Explanatory Memorandum came into force. This Notice to Members summarises the provisions of the Amended Regulations.
Tony PaulsonHead of Asia & Corporate Director -
Notices to Members 13 May, 2026No.3 2026/27 - Class 1 and Class 2 Policy Year Balances and Financial Position at 20 February 2026
The Report and Accounts for the year ending 20 February 2026 for The West of England Ship Owners Mutual Insurance Association (Luxembourg) were approved by the Board on 13 May 2026, who were pleased to note a strong performance for the Club.
Tom BowsherGroup CEO -
Notices to Members 30 Apr, 2026No.2 2026/27 - EU Sanctions: 20th Sanctions Package Against Russia
On 23 April 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted its 20th package of restrictive measures against Russia, amending Regulation (EU) 833/2014 and Regulation (EU) 269/2014.
Tony PaulsonHead of Asia & Corporate Director
Latest News
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News 01 Jun, 2026EU Expands Iran Sanctions Framework to Target Threats to Freedom of Navigation
On 22 May 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted a decision amending its existing Iran sanctions framework to allow the EU to target individuals and entities involved in Iran's actions threatening freedom of navigation in particular in the Strait of Hormuz.
Tony PaulsonHead of Asia & Corporate Director -
News 28 May, 2026The “CATALAN SEA” – Court of Appeal Clarifies the Sanctions Risk Threshold for Shipowners
The English Court of Appeal has handed down an important judgment on sanctions clauses in voyage charterparties: Tonzip Maritime (Singapore) Pte Ltd v 2 Rivers Pte Ltd, “The Catalan Sea” [2026] EWCA Civ 641.
Tony PaulsonHead of Asia & Corporate Director -
News 27 May, 2026Russia Sanctions: New EU FAQs on Targeted Vessels and Tanker Sales
On 22 May 2026, the European Commission published two new sets of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) addressing key aspects of the EU Russia sanctions regime as it applies to the maritime sector.
Tony PaulsonHead of Asia & Corporate Director