IBF High Risk and Extended Risk Areas in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean

21 April 2011

In light of the continuing pirate attacks on merchant ships traversing the Gulf of Aden area and the widening geographical range of attacks despite the presence of a number of international navies, Members may be interested to note that the International Maritime Employers Committee (IMEC – for further details click here) after discussions with the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) have agreed to extend the geographical coverage of the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) High Risk Area by introducing an Extended Risk Area.  With regard to crew, Members may recall that in the High Risk Area crew with relevant contracts are entitled to:-

  1. compensation amounting to 100% of the basic wage for each day in the High Risk Area
  2. double compensation for death and disability and
  3. the right not proceed with the ship on the passage in the event that the ship will not transit along the International Recommended Transit Corridor. 

The High Risk Area remains but in the Extended Risk Area crew will now be entitled, on any day during which their ship is attacked, to

  1. a bonus equal to 100% of the basic wage and
  2. double compensation in case of injury or death.

For the avoidance of doubt, there will be no entitlement to refuse to proceed with the ship in the Extended Risk Area.

 For the full terms and conditions (which include all issues covered by the agreement in addition to crew rights) now applying, click here. For Members’ information, the demarcation of each area is set out in the attached chart (High Risk Area in red hatching and Extended Risk Area in green hatching).