Seafarer Resource · Updated 6 Nov 2026
IBF Warlike & High Risk Areas 2026: Zones, Pay & Benefits
Checked 6 Nov 2026. The IBF list agreed on 29 Oct 2026 is extended until 19 Nov 2026. Designations 1–6 run to 23 Nov 2026. Designations 7–10, including the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, run to 19 Nov 2026 (designation 7–9 at 0001Z). Further extensions are by mutual IBF consent.
Confirm the war bonus, doubled compensation, and the right to refuse in your own CBA. The Hormuz warlike window on this list runs to 19 Nov 2026 and is subject to IBF review.
Updated 6 Nov 2026. Checked against the IBF list agreed 29 October 2026 on the ITF Seafarers page (that page was updated 29 October 2026). The Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman warlike designation runs to 0001Z 19 November 2026.What this means for Filipino crew is in War-Risk Waters: What Filipino Seafarers Must Know in 2026.
Below is that IBF list of designated risk areas, transcribed from the official list. Exact figures follow your own CBA. This page does not enlarge the list.
What the designations mean
Three tiers matter for a seafarer's wallet and safety. A Warlike Operations Area (WOA) is the highest: a region the IBF Warlike Operations Area Committee judges to carry an active risk of hostilities against merchant shipping — full war bonus from entry, doubled compensation, and the right to refuse. A High Risk Area (HRA) carries the same benefits for the actual duration of stay or transit. An Extended Risk Zone (ERZ) pays the bonus and doubled compensation only on a day the vessel is actually attacked.
The designations are set by committee against the threat picture, not by any single headline. That distinction matters: a dramatic news day in a strait does not by itself create an entitlement, and a quiet news day does not remove one.
The latest IBF list Eagle checked
Agreed by the Warlike Operations Area Committee on 29 October 2026. Header runs to 19 November 2026. Designations 1–6 run to 23 November 2026. Designations 7–10, including Hormuz, run to 19 November 2026. Source: ITF Seafarers — IBF warlike and high-risk areas. Checked 6 Nov 2026. Designations 7–9 end at 0001Z on that date. Further extensions are by mutual IBF consent.
1. 12 nm off the mainland Yemeni Coast
Yemeni territorial waters to the 12 nm limit, including all ports, excluding the Maritime Security Transit Corridor (MSTC) in its entirety. Applies to all vessels, underway, at anchor or berthed.
- Bonus equal to basic wage, payable for 5 days minimum + per day if longer
- Doubled compensation for death and disability
- Right to refuse sailing into the area, with repatriation at company's cost and compensation equal to 2 months' basic wage
- Mandatory enhanced security arrangements equivalent to ISPS Level 3
In force 1 Mar 2018 to 23 Nov 2026 (IBF list agreed 29 Oct 2026, extended to 19 Nov 2026). Further extensions are by mutual IBF consent.
2. Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden
South of the boundary from the Saudi border (16°24.12'N) due west to the Eritrean coast, encompassing the Bab el Mandeb Strait INCLUDING the MSTC, and the Gulf of Aden; the coasts of Djibouti and Somalia are included.
- Bonus equal to basic wage, payable for 5 days minimum + per day if longer
- Doubled compensation for death and disability
- Right to refuse sailing into the area, with repatriation at company's cost and compensation equal to 2 months' basic wage
- Mandatory enhanced security arrangements equivalent to ISPS Level 3
In force 19 Mar 2024 to 23 Nov 2026 (IBF list agreed 29 Oct 2026, extended to 19 Nov 2026). Further extensions are by mutual IBF consent.
3. Sea of Azov and the Strait of Kerch
All waters and ports of the Sea of Azov and the Strait of Kerch north of latitude 45°03'00"N.
- Bonus equal to basic wage, payable for 5 days minimum + per day if longer
- Doubled compensation for death and disability
- Right to refuse sailing into the area, with repatriation at company's cost and compensation equal to 2 months' basic wage
- Mandatory enhanced security arrangements equivalent to ISPS Level 3
In force 1 Nov 2023 to 23 Nov 2026 (IBF list agreed 29 Oct 2026, extended to 19 Nov 2026). Further extensions are by mutual IBF consent.
4. Northern Black Sea Region
From the Ukrainian/Romanian border to position 45°10'N 031°00'E and to position 45°21'N 032°30'E.
- Bonus equal to basic wage, payable for 5 days minimum + per day if longer
- Doubled compensation for death and disability
- Right to refuse sailing into the area, with repatriation at company's cost and compensation equal to 2 months' basic wage
- Mandatory enhanced security arrangements equivalent to ISPS Level 3
In force 1 Mar 2022 to 23 Nov 2026 (IBF list agreed 29 Oct 2026, extended to 19 Nov 2026). Further extensions are by mutual IBF consent.
5. All ports in Ukraine
All Ukrainian ports; applies to all vessels, underway, at anchor or berthed.
- Bonus equal to basic wage, payable for 5 days minimum + per day if longer
- Doubled compensation for death and disability
- Right to refuse sailing into the area, with repatriation at company's cost and compensation equal to 2 months' basic wage
- Mandatory enhanced security arrangements equivalent to ISPS Level 3
In force 1 Mar 2022 to 23 Nov 2026 (IBF list agreed 29 Oct 2026, extended to 19 Nov 2026). Further extensions are by mutual IBF consent.
6. Black Sea
Between the northern WOAs (Designations 3-4) / Crimean coastline and the southern limit running 43°25'01"N 39°55'00"E → 44°04'00"N 31°24'00"E → 44°44'00"N 31°11'00"E → 45°12'00"N 29°41'00"E.
- Bonus equal to basic wage, payable for the actual duration of stay / transit
- Doubled compensation for death and disability
- Right to refuse sailing into the area, with repatriation at company's cost and compensation equal to 2 months' basic wage
- Mandatory enhanced security arrangements equivalent to ISPS Level 3
In force 1 Nov 2023 to 23 Nov 2026 (IBF list agreed 29 Oct 2026, extended to 19 Nov 2026). Further extensions are by mutual IBF consent.
7. Persian Gulf, Straits of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman
All navigable water west of the line 24°00'N 057°06'E → 24°00'N 060°58'E, then bearing 035° from Ra's al Hadd light to 24°52'30"N 061°39'00"E, then north to the Pakistan border at 25°10'30"N 061°39'E. Includes all ports, terminals, road anchorages and inland waterways; applies to all vessels, underway, at anchor or berthed.
- Bonus equal to basic wage, payable for 5 days minimum + per day if longer
- Doubled compensation for death and disability
- Right to refuse sailing into the area, with repatriation at company's cost and compensation equal to 2 months' basic wage
- Mandatory enhanced security arrangements equivalent to ISPS Level 3
In force 6 Mar 2026 to 19 Nov 2026 (IBF list agreed 29 Oct 2026, extended to 19 Nov 2026). Further extensions are by mutual IBF consent.
8. Gulf of Oman
From Ra's al Hadd light on a bearing of 035° to the limiting latitude of 24°00'N (northern limit 24°00'N 057°06'E → 24°00'N 060°58'E).
- Bonus equal to basic wage, payable only on the day the vessel is attacked
- Doubled compensation for death and disability if they occur on the day the vessel is attacked
- Increased BMP level
In force 2 Mar 2026 to 19 Nov 2026 (IBF list agreed 29 Oct 2026, extended to 19 Nov 2026). Further extensions are by mutual IBF consent.
9. 12 nm off Israel and Lebanon coastline
12 nm offshore, northern limit 34°38'10"N 035°35.05'E → 34°38'10"N 035°58'10"E, southern limit 31°41.8'N 034°17.9'E → 31°35'41"N 034°29'27"E; excluding the areas designated under Item 10.
- Bonus equal to basic wage, payable only on the day the vessel is attacked
- Doubled compensation for death and disability if they occur on the day the vessel is attacked
- Increased BMP level
In force 13 Mar 2026 to 19 Nov 2026 (IBF list agreed 29 Oct 2026, extended to 19 Nov 2026). Further extensions are by mutual IBF consent.
10. Israeli Mediterranean Ports and Lebanese Ports
Vessels alongside in Israeli Mediterranean ports and Lebanese ports, and during pilotage on arrival or departure. An exceptional measure limited in period and region.
- Bonus equal to basic wage, payable for the actual duration of stay in Level 2 of the Extended Risk Zone (rounded up to each full day)
- Doubled compensation for death and disability
- Increased BMP level
In force 3 Apr 2026 to 19 Nov 2026 (IBF list agreed 29 Oct 2026, extended to 19 Nov 2026). Further extensions are by mutual IBF consent.
What this list says you are entitled to
Under the IBF list agreed 29 October 2026, a designated area triggers the following. Exact figures still follow your own CBA.
- A war bonus — equal to 100% of basic wage, payable for a minimum of 5 days on entry and then for each day of the vessel's actual stay in the area (in effect, doubled basic pay for those days).
- Doubled death and disability compensation for the duration of the transit.
- The right to refuse to proceed into the area, with repatriation at the company's cost, benefits accrued until return to the port of engagement, and compensation of 2 months' basic wage — without it counting as a breach of contract.
- Enhanced security — ship operators must implement arrangements equivalent to ISPS Level 3 in WOAs/HRA, or increased BMP level in Extended Risk Zones.
Exact figures and conditions are set by the applicable CBA (for example IBF, and affiliated unions). Treat the above as the IBF framework, not your contract. Always read your own CBA and Seafarer's Employment Agreement.
Before you transit: a checklist
- Check the ITF page before you sail. This register follows the 29 October 2026 list.
- Read the war-risk clauses in your CBA and Seafarer's Employment Agreement.
- Confirm the war bonus, doubled compensation, and the right to refuse in your own CBA. The Hormuz warlike window on this list runs to 19 Nov 2026 and is subject to IBF review.
- Read what Filipino crew and families should do in war-risk waters.
- Keep dated records if the company confirms you entered a designated zone.
Hull premium, the War-Risk Index, and whether a strait is open are the operator's questions. They do not tell you what your wage or your right to refuse is.
Frequently asked questions
What is a warlike operations area?
A warlike operations area (WOA) is a sea region that the IBF Warlike Operations Area Committee designates as carrying an active risk of hostilities against merchant shipping. In a designated WOA, seafarers are entitled to enhanced protections under their collective bargaining agreement (CBA): a bonus equal to basic wage (5 days minimum), doubled death and disability compensation, the right to refuse sailing with repatriation at company cost, and enhanced security equivalent to ISPS Level 3.
How much extra pay do seafarers get in a warlike or high-risk area?
In an IBF Warlike Operations Area the bonus equals 100% of basic wage, payable for a minimum of 5 days on entry and then for each day of the vessel's actual stay, plus doubled compensation for death and disability. In the Black Sea High Risk Area the same bonus applies but for the actual duration of stay or transit. In an Extended Risk Zone the bonus is payable only on a day the vessel is attacked. Always confirm exact figures against your own CBA.
Can a seafarer refuse to sail into a warlike area?
Yes. In designated Warlike Operations Areas and the Black Sea High Risk Area, a seafarer has the right not to proceed with the passage. The seafarer must be repatriated at the company's cost, with benefits accrued until the date of return to the port of engagement and compensation of 2 months' basic wage — without this being treated as a breach of contract. Check the exact wording of your CBA.
Is the Strait of Hormuz a designated warlike area right now?
Yes, on the IBF list agreed 29 October 2026. Designation 7, the Persian Gulf, Straits of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, runs from 6 March 2026 to 19 November 2026 (0001Z). Updated 6 Nov 2026: the ITF page, updated 29 October 2026, carries that list. Confirm the terms in your own CBA.
Where can I verify the designated zones?
The authoritative source is the IBF list on the ITF Seafarers site. This page transcribes the list agreed 29 October 2026 and extended to 19 November 2026. The official list and your own CBA control.
More seafarer resources
Explore the seafarer hub, check ITF wage benchmarks, track what changed this week in the regulatory feed, or ask a question with Ask Eagle.
Updated 6 Nov 2026. This page transcribes the IBF/ITF list agreed 29 October 2026. It is not legal advice and not a substitute for the official list or your own CBA. — Eagle Intelligence Unit.
Gusto mo ng email digest?
Opt-in sa Beehiiv digest kung gusto mo ng email mula sa site. Hindi ito alerto kapag nagbago ang IBF list, ang DMW circular, o ang MARINA requirement — walang napatunayang delivery job para diyan. Ang pag-submit ay hindi pa confirmed subscription.
Opt-in only. If the provider accepts the request, the address is stored to send the email digest, in line with the Data Privacy Act (RA 10173). Unsubscribe from any email. Registry-row change notices are not a delivered product on this form.