War Risk Surcharge (WRS)
A surcharge applied to cover the increased cost of insurance and routing adjustments when shipping through areas designated as war risk zones by marine insurance underwriters. Routes through the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and parts of Eastern Europe have historically triggered WRS.
After Houthi Red Sea attacks (2024), WRS spiked to $500-$1,000/20ft. Historically was $50-$200/20ft on normal risk routes.
Who Pays?
Set by carrier or port authority — not negotiable.
WRS is driven by the Lloyd's marine insurance market's assessment of war risk zones. It is non-negotiable and varies with geopolitical conditions.
Adjustment Frequency
Current rate reviewed: Ad-hoc / case-by-case
Chargeable Unit
Formula / Calculation
WRS = Marine Insurance Additional Premium × Routing Risk Factor per ContainerFrequently Asked Questions
What areas are currently designated as war risk zones?
Does WRS apply to air freight?
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Often Appears Together With
These charges frequently appear on the same freight invoice as WRS:
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