Marine and political risk insurance
Joint War Committee listed areas: the current list
The 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.
Guide
Marine and political risk insuranceLast updated
3 minute read
By Zed Three analysts
Short answer
The Joint War Committee listed areas are regions where the London marine insurance market considers ships at higher risk of war, piracy and terrorism. The current list is JWLA-035, issued on Sept 16, 2026, which changed the Black Sea listing to exclude the territorial waters of adjoining countries other than Russia and Ukraine.
Last updated
What is on the list
Africa: Benin, Cabo Delgado waters, Djibouti, Eritrea, Gulf of Guinea waters, Libya, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan and Togo. Europe: the Sea of Azov, the Black Sea and defined inland waters. A defined sea area covering the Gulf, Gulf of Oman, part of the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden and the southern Red Sea. Middle East: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE and Yemen. Also Russia, Venezuela and offshore installations in Guyana's EEZ.
What a listing means
A listing does not ban voyages. It means owners must notify their war underwriters before entering, and the underwriter can charge an additional premium or decline. The committee says rating is a matter for individual negotiation and that it plays no role in pricing.
Why the Black Sea change matters
Under JWLA-035, the territorial waters of Black Sea states other than Russia and Ukraine, such as Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia and Turkey, fall outside the listed area. That can lower costs for voyages that stay in those waters, though attacks in the western Black Sea remain a live risk.
What happens next?
We assess it is unlikely that the Gulf listed area is narrowed before Dec 31.
We assess it is a realistic possibility that the committee amends at least one listing before the end of March 2027.
Likelihood ranges are Zed Three editorial judgments as of Nov 2, 2026, not advice.
Free industry newsletter
Get Chokepoint free
The free industry newsletter going to 100K+ industry experts. The five stories that move markets, supply chains and deals, each with the so what worked out, every weekday morning.
Related chokepoints
Chokepoint explainer
Strait of HormuzThe Gulf's only sea exit, between Iran and OmanRead the explainer →Chokepoint explainer
Bab el-Mandeb StraitThe Red Sea's southern gate, between Yemen and DjiboutiRead the explainer →Chokepoint explainer
Bosphorus and the Turkish StraitsThe Black Sea's only sea link to the worldRead the explainer →Related country risk assessments
Frequently asked questions
How often does the JWC update its listed areas?
When conditions change; the committee last reviewed the areas in September 2026.
Is the Strait of Hormuz a listed area?
Yes. Iran, Oman and the other Gulf states are listed, along with a defined area covering the Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
Is the Red Sea a listed area?
The southern Red Sea south of latitude 25.5 degrees north is listed, excluding Egyptian territorial waters.
Related guides
Free custom sample
Get a free sample threat report on marine and political risk insurance
Tell us your routes, suppliers or sites and Zed Three will build a custom sample threat report around them.