Zed Three guides
Geopolitical risk guides for business
Clear answers on the political, security and shipping risks that move costs, supply chains and deals, with likelihood ranges and links to country assessments.
Buying risk intelligence
Buyer guideHow to choose a geopolitical risk intelligence providerA fair buyer's guide to geopolitical and political risk intelligence: the main types of provider, the criteria that matter, questions to ask on a call and red flags to watch for.Zed ThreeZed Three servicesThreat monitoring, custom reports, field insights and dedicated analysts.
Shipping and chokepoints
Is the strait of hormuz international watersIs the Strait of Hormuz international waters?No. The Strait of Hormuz lies within the territorial seas of Iran and Oman, but it is an international strait with transit passage rights. What that means for shipping in 2026.Strait of hormuz oil percentageHow much of the world's oil goes through the Strait of Hormuz?About 20% of global oil consumption and one fifth of LNG trade passed through Hormuz before the 2026 war. Who exports it, who buys it and how much is moving now.Strait of hormuz closure impact on oil pricesHow does a Strait of Hormuz closure affect oil prices?What the 2026 Hormuz closure has done to Brent, why prices swing on diplomacy headlines, and how energy buyers should plan for the next three months.Red sea shipping crisisRed Sea shipping crisis: where things stand in late 2026Container lines are returning to the Red Sea and Suez transits are climbing, but volumes remain below pre-crisis levels and Houthi risk has not gone away.Cape of good hope reroutingCape of Good Hope rerouting: what it costs and when it endsWhy carriers diverted around Africa, how many days it adds, and what to watch as Red Sea routings return in late 2026.Panama canal restrictionsPanama Canal restrictions: current draft limits and transit slotsThe Panama Canal raised its Neopanamax draft to 49 feet and offers 33 daily slots from Oct 15, 2026. What remains restricted and what El Nino could change.Strait of malacca importanceWhy is the Strait of Malacca so important?The Strait of Malacca carries about 22% of seaborne trade and more oil than Hormuz. Why it matters for Asian supply chains and what could disrupt it.Semiconductor supply chainSemiconductor supply chain risk and a Taiwan blockadeTaiwan holds about 63% of global chip capacity at 7 nm and below. How a blockade or quarantine would hit chips, which sectors are exposed and how likely it is.Dark fleet tankersDark fleet tankers: what they are and why they matterEstimates put the dark or shadow fleet at 1,100 to 1,600 tankers in 2026. How it works, who runs it and the compliance and safety risk it creates.Maritime security threatsThe main maritime security threats facing shipping in 2026GPS jamming, mines, drone and missile strikes, seizures and piracy: where each threat is concentrated in 2026 and what operators can do.
Marine and political risk insurance
War risk insuranceWar risk insurance: how it works for ships and cargoWhat marine war risk insurance covers, why it is separate from standard hull cover, how listed areas and notice of cancellation work, and what 2026 has changed.War risk premiumWhat is a war risk premium and how is it set?Additional war risk premiums are charged per voyage as a percentage of hull value. How they work, why quotes differ so much and what drives them in 2026.Joint war committee listed areasJoint War Committee listed areas: the current listThe current JWC listed areas under JWLA-035 of Sept 16, 2026, what changed for the Black Sea and what a listing means for your voyages.Political risk insurancePolitical risk insurance: what it covers and when you need itPolitical risk insurance covers expropriation, currency inconvertibility, political violence and contract frustration. How it works, who provides it and the 2026 market.Political violence insurancePolitical violence insurance: what it covers and how the market looksPolitical violence insurance covers property damage and business interruption from terrorism, strikes, riots, civil commotion and war. What to check in 2026.Kidnap and ransom insuranceKidnap and ransom insurance for companiesWhat corporate kidnap and ransom insurance covers, where kidnap risk to staff is highest in 2026 and how it fits with a duty of care program.
Political and geopolitical risk
Geopolitical risk assessmentHow to do a geopolitical risk assessmentA four step approach to geopolitical risk assessment for companies: map exposure, identify drivers, build scenarios with likelihoods, measure impact and set triggers.Geopolitical risk managementGeopolitical risk management for companiesHow to build a geopolitical risk management program: governance, monitoring, mitigation options, testing and board reporting.Geopolitical risk examplesGeopolitical risk examples affecting business in 2026Eight real examples of geopolitical risk hitting companies in 2026, from the Hormuz closure and Red Sea diversions to sanctions, mine seizures and chip concentration.Political risk examplesTypes of political risk, with real examplesThe main types of political risk companies face abroad, from expropriation and currency controls to unrest and contract breach, with recent examples.What is country riskWhat is country risk?Country risk is the chance that conditions in a country hurt a foreign company's investment, trade or people. What it includes and how country risk ratings work.Expropriation riskExpropriation risk: what it is and how to manage itExpropriation risk is the risk a government seizes or nationalizes a foreign investment. Recent Sahel cases, warning signs and protection options.Sanctions riskSanctions risk: what companies need to watch in 2026How sanctions risk reaches companies through counterparties, vessels, banks and supply chains, and what 2026 enforcement on Iran and the shadow fleet means.Geopolitical risk consultingGeopolitical risk consulting: what to expect and how to chooseWhat geopolitical and political risk consultants deliver, how to judge quality, and the questions to ask before you hire one.
Supply chain and energy
Supply chain risk assessmentHow to do a supply chain risk assessment that includes geopolitical riskA practical supply chain risk assessment method that covers suppliers, routes, chokepoints and countries, with 2026 examples from Hormuz, the Red Sea and critical minerals.Supply chain resilienceBuilding supply chain resilience against geopolitical shocksWhat supply chain resilience means when wars, sanctions and chokepoint closures drive disruption, and the measures that work in 2026.Critical minerals supply chainCritical minerals supply chain riskChina refined 91% of rare earths and 99% of gallium in 2025. What export controls mean for manufacturers and the November 2026 date to watch.Food supply chain riskFood supply chain risk from the Hormuz closureThe Hormuz closure disrupts 20% to 30% of traded fertilizer. What that means for 2027 harvests, food prices and food businesses.Oil supply disruptionOil supply disruption: what 2026 shows about the riskHow the 2026 Hormuz closure disrupted oil supply, how emergency stocks and rerouting responded, and how companies should plan for energy shocks.
People and security
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