Safe Ports and Times of Unrest – FAQs Updated 28 February Articles Published: February 28, 2026 Download article pdf In each case the position will very much depend upon the exact circumstances, place and port where the vessel has been ordered as the situation will vary significantly.  Whichever port is involved, the assessment is likely to require consideration of complex legal issues, and with that in mind operators may find it helpful to refer to the following guidance, which is intended as a brief, high level checklist of enquiries.  As always the outcome will of course depend on the contractual terms involved and specific advice should be taken whenever faced with any of these issues. In this respect, Members should contact their normal Club contacts at the Club for further guidance.    Can orders to call at ports in the region be refused? There are two main grounds upon which it may be possible to lawfully refuse an order, which are where the intended port is unsafe or where it is likely that war risks will be encountered.  Does the contract contain a safe port warranty? In the description of the ports that the vessel will call at, wording such as “safe port” or “1SP” or “charterers warrant the safety of the port” will be taken as a warranty by charterers that the port is safe at the time of nominating that port. Breach of the warranty, by ordering the vessel to a port that is not safe, can lead to a damages claim where loss or damage is suffered as a result. Where there is no express safe port warranty this may be implied, although this is unlikely to be the case in a voyage charter where the ports are identified in advance, since owners can then (in theory) make their own decision about whether the port is safe. This is in contrast to the position under a time charter for worldwide trading where the ports are not defined.    Is the port legally unsafe? A port will not be safe unless a vessel can reach, use and leave it with