The International Bargaining Forum (IBF) list of military and high-risk zones, which applies to existing collective agreements, has been extended until 23 November 2025, as amended on 19 March 2024. This publication enables seafarers to assess the hazards of working in these zones and understand their rights.
1. The IBF combat zone is 12 nautical miles from the mainland coast of Yemen, including all ports except the Maritime Security Transit Corridor (MSTC) in the Red Sea (Charts 1 and 2)
Seafarers have the right to:
• a bonus equal to the base rate, with the minimum payment being 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;
• the right to 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 enhance security measures equivalent to Level III of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS 3) Code.
2. IBF High-Risk Area – Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden: The boundary begins at the IBF combat zone off the coast of Yemen and extends to the coast of Eritrea. The area encompasses the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, including the Maritime Security Transit Corridor (MSTC), and the Gulf of Aden (Figures 1 and 2).
Seafarers have the right to:
• a bonus equal to the basic salary, paid for the actual period of /transit;
• double compensation in case of death or loss of ability to work;
• the right to 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 enhance security measures equivalent to ISPS Level 3.
3. Extended IBF Risk Area – Gulf of Guinea from the /Ivory Coast border to 00°N 005°E to the /Namibia border (Diagram 3)
Seafarers have the right to:
• a bonus equal to the basic rate of pay, which is payable only on the day of the attack on the vessel as a result of an act of piracy;
• 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. IBF combat zone – Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait north of 45°03′ 00′ north latitude (diagram 4)
Seafarers have the right to:
• a bonus equal to the rate of pay, which is equal to five days’ basic pay (plus for each day of further stay);
• double compensation in case of death and loss of ability to work;
• the right to refuse to sail with repatriation at the company’s expense and compensation in the amount of two months’ basic salary.
It is recommended to enhance security measures equivalent to ISPS Level 3.
5. IBF combat zone – Northern Black Sea region (diagram 4)
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;
• refusal to sail with repatriation at the company’s expense and compensation in the amount of two months’ basic salary.
It is recommended to enhance security measures equivalent to ISPS Level 3.
6.
IBF combat zone – all ports of Ukraine
Seafarers have the right to:
• a bonus equal to the basic salary, which is paid for at least five days, and per day if longer;
• double compensation in case of death or loss of ability to work;
• the right to refuse to sail with repatriation at the company’s expense and compensation in the amount of two months’ basic salary.
It is recommended to enhance security measures equivalent to ISPS Level 3.
7. IBF high-risk zone – Black Sea (Diagram 4)
Seafarers have the right to:
• a bonus equal to the basic salary, which is paid for the actual period of /transit;
• double compensation in case of death or loss of ability to work;
• refusal to sail with repatriation at the company’s expense and compensation in the amount of two months’ basic salary.
It is recommended to enhance security measures equivalent to ISPS Level 3.
Figure 1: IBF War Zone of Operations (WOA) – Southern Red Sea Region
Diagram 2: IBF War Zone of Operations (WOA) – Gulf of Aden and its Approaches
Diagram 3: Gulf of Guinea – ERZ
Figure 4: IBF combat zone – Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait; IBF combat zone – Northern Black Sea region; IBF high-risk zone – Black Sea
