London insurers widen Red Sea high-risk zone after Houthi attacks

London’s marine insurance market has expanded the Red Sea area it treats as high risk after attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement on ships. A July 29 advisory from the Joint War Committee (JWC), which brings together Lloyd’s Market Association syndicates and London company-market representatives, widened the zone to cover more of the Red Sea coast near Saudi Arabian ports, reaching close to Jizan. Egyptian waters were excluded. The JWC also moved its Red Sea notification line northward, citing two Saudi-linked vessels attacked shortly after the Houthis announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on July 20.