Athens War Blue Card Insurance
For cruise lines and ferry operators, passenger liability compliance isn’t optional — it’s mandatory regulatory compliance.
Under the Athens Convention 2002 and the EU Passenger Liability Regulation (PLR) — the framework governing passenger injury and death liabilities — shipowners must evidence financial security for both conventional and war-related passenger risks.
Because war and terrorism exposures are excluded from standard non-war P&I PLR cover, most flag states require a separate War Blue Card in addition to the regular PLR Blue Card.
ShorelineHudson ensures this requirement is met quickly, efficiently, and without administrative burden.
The Challenge
Passenger operators trading under Athens 2002 and the EU PLR must demonstrate continuous financial security for all passenger liabilities.
While P&I Clubs issue the primary PLR Blue Card for non-war risks, the Athens Convention Article 4bis and EU Regulation 392/2009 expressly exclude war and terrorism from that cover.
As a result, flag administrations now routinely demand two undertakings:
- A PLR Blue Card (non-war) from the vessel’s P&I Club, and
- A War Blue Card from an approved war insurer or facility.
Failure to provide both can lead to:
- Port state disruption at embarkation hubs
- Commercial and reputational risk with charterers, agents, or passengers
The Solution — ShorelineHudson War Blue Cards
ShorelineHudson provides War Blue Cards that fully comply with the Athens 2002 and EU PLR regimes, enabling flag states to issue Certificates of Insurance without delay or complexity.
Issued through Maritime Insurance Solutions Ltd (MISL) and reinsured in the Lloyd’s and A-rated company markets, our undertakings mirror the form and limits recognized by the passenger liability framework — expressed in Special Drawing Rights (SDR) per passenger and aggregate per ship.
Key Features
- Compliant undertaking under Athens 2002 Article 4bis covering war and terrorism passenger liabilities.
- Complimentary to the non-war P&I PLR Blue Card for complete certification.
- Coverage consistent with PLR limits (e.g., SDR 250,000 per passenger, and an aggregate in line with convention guidance).
- Direct transmission to flag administrations where electronic filing is accepted.
Why Choose ShorelineHudson
- Recognized provider — longstanding issuer of War Blue Cards accepted by leading flag states.
- Integrated process — we coordinate with your P&I Club, flag administration, and broker to align both Blue Cards.
- Strong security — backed by 2024/25 reinsurance through Lloyd’s and leading war markets.
- Passenger-sector expertise — tailored to cruise and ferry operators governed by Athens 2002 / EU PLR.
- Efficient delivery — minimal documentation and rapid issuance, with electronic undertakings available where permitted.
Ready to Proceed?
Contact your ShorelineHudson account manager or email [email protected] to begin the process.
Technical Q&A
A War Blue Card is an insurer’s undertaking that provides proof of financial security for war and terrorism passenger liabilities under the Athens Convention 2002 and the EU Passenger Liability Regulation (EC 392/2009). It complements the standard non-war PLR Blue Card to facilitate Flag State approval
Passenger vessels (cruise ships and ferries) operating under the Athens 2002 / EU PLR framework where flag or port-state rules require both a non-war and a war undertaking.
The PLR Blue Card from the P&I Club covers passenger liabilities excluding war and terrorism.
The War Blue Card fills that exclusion, ensuring the vessel’s total liability coverage meets convention requirements.
Most flags adopt PLR-based parameters — typically SDR 250,000 per passenger and a ship aggregate (for example, SDR 340 million). The limits applicable to your operation appear on your quotation and certificate schedule.
No. Those relate to pollution and wreck liabilities.
War Blue Cards specifically cover passenger liabilities arising from war and terrorism under the Athens/PLR regime.
- Vessel particulars and passenger capacity
- Flag details and trading plan
- Proof on underlying War Risk insurance
ShorelineHudson coordinates directly with your P&I Club and Flag administration to finalize submission.
Yes, many flag states now accept electronic or direct-to-flag undertakings. We follow your flag’s published submission protocol.
War Blue Cards are issued by Maritime Insurance Solutions Ltd (MISL) and supported by reinsurance through Lloyd’s and A-rated company markets for the current policy year.
Email [email protected] with your vessel list, flag(s), passenger capacities, season/itinerary, and existing war insurance details.
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