The International Negotiating Forum (INF), which represents maritime unions and shipowners, has extended the validity of several military and high-risk zones until May 11, 2026. These include the INF combat zone – the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman; the INF extended risk zone – the Gulf of Oman: from the Ras al-Hadd lighthouse at a bearing of 035 degrees to the extreme latitude of 24° 00’N; the INF extended risk zone – 12 nautical miles from the coast of Israel; and the INF extended risk zone – Israeli Mediterranean and Lebanese ports. The remaining zones from the INF list of military and high-risk zones, related to the current INF collective agreements, are valid until May 25, 2026.
List of military and high-risk zones
1. The IPF combat zone is 12 nautical miles from the mainland coast of Yemen, including all ports, with the exception of the Maritime Security Transit Corridor (MSTC) in the Red Sea. Effective until May 25, 2026, with the possibility of extension.
Seafarers have the right to:
– a bonus equal to the base rate, with the minimum payment equal to five days of the base rate (plus for each day of further stay);
– double compensation in case of death or loss of ability to work;
– refuse to sail with repatriation at the company’s expense and compensation in the amount of two months’ basic salary.
There is a mandatory requirement to strengthen security measures equivalent to Level III of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
2. The IMF combat zone – southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden: The boundary begins at the IMF combat zone off the coast of Yemen and extends to the coast of Eritrea. This area encompasses the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, including the Maritime Security Transit Corridor (MSTC), and the Gulf of Aden. This agreement is in effect until May 25, 2026, with the possibility of extension.
In this case, sailors are entitled to:
– a bonus equal to the base rate, with the minimum payment equal to five days of the base rate (plus for each day of further stay);
– double compensation in case of death or loss of ability to work;
– refuse to sail with the possibility of repatriation at the company’s expense and compensation in the amount of two months’ basic salary.
There is a mandatory requirement to strengthen security measures equivalent to Level III of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
3. Extended IMF Risk Area – Gulf of Guinea from the Liberia/Côte d’Ivoire border to 00°N 005°E to the Angola/Namibia border. Effective until May 25, 2026, with the possibility of extension.
Seafarers have the right to:
– a bonus equal to the basic rate of wages, which is paid only on the day of the attack on the vessel;
– double compensation in case of death or loss of ability to work, if they occur on the day of the attack on the vessel.
An advanced level of Best Management Practices (BMP) is envisaged.
4. The combat zone of the International Fleet is the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait north of 45°03′ 00 north latitude. Effective until May 25, 2026, with the possibility of extension.
Seafarers have the right to:
– a bonus equal to the base rate, with the minimum payment equal to five days of the base rate (plus for each day of further stay);
– double compensation in case of death or loss of ability to work;
– refuse to sail with repatriation at the company’s expense and compensation in the amount of two months’ basic salary.
There is a mandatory requirement to strengthen security measures equivalent to Level III of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
5. The zone of combat operations of the International Peacekeeping Forces (IPF) is the Northern Black Sea region. Effective until May 25, 2026, with the possibility of extension.
Seafarers have the right to:
– a bonus equal to five days’ base rate (plus for each day of further stay);
– double compensation in case of death or loss of ability to work;
– refuse to sail with repatriation at the company’s expense and compensation in the amount of two months’ basic salary.
There is a mandatory requirement to strengthen security measures equivalent to Level III of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
6. The combat zone of the International Pentagon (IPF) is all ports of Ukraine. Effective until May 25, 2026, with the possibility of extension.
Seafarers have the right to:
– a bonus equal to the basic salary, which is paid for at least five days, and also per day if longer;
– double compensation in case of death or loss of ability to work;
– refuse to sail with repatriation at the company’s expense and compensation in the amount of two months’ basic salary.
There is a mandatory requirement to strengthen security measures equivalent to Level III of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
7. IMF High-Risk Zone – Black Sea. Effective until May 25, 2026, with the possibility of extension.
Seafarers have the right to:
– a bonus equal to the basic salary, which is paid for the actual period of stay/transit;
– double compensation in case of death or loss of ability to work;
– refuse to sail with repatriation at the company’s expense and compensation in the amount of two months’ basic salary.
There is a mandatory requirement to strengthen security measures equivalent to Level III of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
8. The zone of combat operations of the International Sea Fleet is the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman. Effective until May 11, 2026, with the possibility of extension.
Seafarers have the right to:
– a bonus equal to the base rate, with the minimum payment equal to five days of the base rate (plus for each day of further stay);
– double compensation in case of death or loss of ability to work;
– refuse to sail with repatriation at the company’s expense and compensation in the amount of two months’ basic salary.
There is a mandatory requirement to strengthen security measures equivalent to Level III of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
9. Extended IMF Risk Area – Gulf of Oman: The area is defined from the Ras al-Hadd Lighthouse at an azimuth of 035 degrees to the maximum latitude of 24° 00’N. Valid until 11 May 2026, with the possibility of extension.
Seafarers have the right to:
– a bonus equal to the basic rate of wages, which is paid only on the day of the attack on the vessel;
– double compensation in case of death or loss of ability to work, if they occur on the day of the attack on the ship.
An advanced level of Best Management Practices (BMP) is envisaged.
10. Extended IMF risk zone – 12 nautical miles from the coast of Israel and 12 nautical miles from the coast of Lebanon. Effective until May 11, 2026, with the possibility of extension.
Seafarers have the right to:
– a bonus equal to the basic rate of wages, which is paid only on the day of the attack on the vessel;
– double compensation in case of death or loss of ability to work, if they occur on the day of the attack on the ship.
An advanced level of Best Management Practices (BMP) is envisaged.
11. Extended IMF Risk Area – Israeli Mediterranean Ports and Lebanese Ports (limited period and region of risk: due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, this applies to vessels at berth and during pilotage upon arrival or departure). Valid until 11 May 2026, with the possibility of extension.
Seafarers have the right to:
– a bonus equal to the basic rate of wages, which is paid only on the day of the attack on the vessel;
– double compensation in case of death or loss of ability to work, if they occur on the day of the attack on the ship.
An advanced level of Best Management Practices (BMP) is envisaged.