War risk underwriters and seafarers’ unions are set to come under increasing pressure to follow shipowner associations and declare an end to the Indian Ocean high-risk area (HRA) off Somalia.

Earlier this week, a grouping of shipowner associations said it would end the HRA designation as the threat of piracy attack is now negligible.

John Stawpert, senior manager of the International Chamber of Shipping, said it is no longer justifiable to continue with the designation with no piracy attacks have been recorded since 2018.