War Risks in Shipping Contracts: The Impact of the Russo-Ukrainian Armed Conflict

Abstract

The article reviews certain issues of maritime contractual practice in the Russian-Ukrainian war context. Maritime supply chains have been heavily impacted by the devastating effect of hostilities which have shaped regional crisis practices for eighteen months. Changes in public order concerning the introduction of martial law in Ukraine have posed a significant challenge for the national maritime industry and all foreign actors involved. Military threats have necessitated updating charter-parties' force majeure and war risk sections. They have also changed insurance policy and formed new judicial practice.

Current Threats to Sustainable Shipping – from War Risks to Climate Changes

“…Weather, in addition to causing damage, affects ship routes (Perera & Soares, 2017), speed (Taskar & Andersen, 2020), and fuel (Ormevik et al, 2023). Environmental factors are crucial in determining whether a port is safe or not (Fasii, 2023). Additionally, the aforementioned war risks and damages have environmental implications that must be considered in restoring the maritime industry (Rieznyk, 2023).…”