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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 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 -
Notices to Members 02 Mar, 2026No.1 2026/27 - Notice of Cancellation in respect of non-mutual War Risk Business
Following the recent developments, the Association has received notice of cancellation from its reinsurers in respect of war risks liabilities arising in Iran and Persian/Arabian Gulf. This new exclusion does not apply to Mutual P&I and FD&D cover.
Bart MertensChief Underwriting Officer
Latest News
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News 19 May, 2026Cuba Sanctions Alert - Significant New Risks for Non-US Persons
On 1 May 2026, President Trump signed Executive Order 14404 ("EO"), titled "Imposing Sanctions on Those Responsible for Repression in Cuba and for Threats to United States National Security and Foreign Policy."
Tony PaulsonHead of Asia & Corporate Director -
News 14 May, 2026Neptune Bunker Information Tab Updated - VLSFO Sulphur offspecs in ARA region
The Neptune Bunker Information tab has been updated with the latest off-specification (offspec) fuel statistics provided by Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS).
Dmitry KisilSenior Loss Prevention Officer -
News 13 May, 2026West reports record free reserves and combined ratio of 98.0%
The combined ratio for the 2025-26 financial year was 98.0%, an improvement on the prior year's 103.9%. The Club's own claims were below their expected position, and the share of Pool claims was close to the budgeted level, assisted by West's recent positive Pool performance.