War risks clause
Meaning
A war risks clause sets out what the owner may do, and who pays extra costs, if the voyage is exposed to war, piracy, terrorism or similar dangers.
Also written as War risk clause, CONWARTIME, VOYWAR
War risks clause explained
Standard BIMCO war risks clauses (VOYWAR for voyage charters, CONWARTIME for time charters) let the master refuse or leave dangerous areas, permit alternative routes and pass additional insurance premiums to the charterer.
Red Sea attacks since late 2023 put these clauses at the centre of routing and cost disputes, and many charterers now agree specific wording for the Cape route.
Related terms
Additional war risk premium
Additional war risk premium (AWRP) is the extra insurance cost charged for each call to, or transit through, an area listed as high risk by war underwriters.
JWC listed areas
JWC listed areas are the sea areas the London market's Joint War Committee considers high risk for war, piracy or terrorism, triggering extra premiums.
Deviation
Deviation is departing from the agreed or customary route of the voyage, which is only allowed for reasons the charter or law permits.
Safe port
A safe port is one the ship can reach, use and leave without being exposed to danger that good seamanship can't avoid; charterers usually warrant it.