Hiscox, a specialist global insurer, has developed a new security product to help protect shipping targeted by nation states. Malicious Vessel Seizure will respond to a single peril of a ship taken by a foreign government, providing Loss of Hire costs and the services of leading crisis management consultancy – Control Risks.
Heightened tension in the Middle East and particularly in the politically sensitive area in and around the Strait of Hormuz recently saw a British flagged tanker boarded by Iranian forces and diverted into Iranian waters. This latest incident follows other attempts to seize a British registered vessel in retaliation for an Iranian tanker boarded by British forces off Gibraltar.
It is in direct response to this growing threat that Malicious Vessel Seizure has been developed to protect shipping in the event of being seized by a foreign government. As well as meeting the Loss of Hire costs that ship owners, or charterers would face, Malicious Vessel Seizure provides for the services of Control Risks who will help the shipowner or charterer with crisis management support, including government liaison and family support for the victims; having a coordinated crisis management response from the early stages can help mitigate the impact on the assured but most importantly on the families of the victims.
No ships trading with Iran will be considered and the cover offered relates to Control Risks’ fees and limited Loss of Hire only.