Nordic Marine Plan Updates War Risk and Dispute Rules
The 2027 Nordic Marine Insurance Plan, published 1 October 2026, makes NOMA Arbitration the default dispute mechanism and revises war risk provisions.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Insurance
The 2027 version of the Nordic Marine Insurance Plan was published on 1 October 2026 with amendments to dispute resolution, sanctions and war risk provisions. NOMA Arbitration and English are now the defaults for proceedings, with ordinary courts applying only if parties explicitly agree.
Why it matters
The changes give insurers and assureds clearer rules on dispute forums, termination rights where sanctions exposure exists, and areas considered excluded for war risk. The amendments build on practical experience and recent arbitral awards, including the 2025 NOMA award in the Heroic Idun.
The revised Nordic Plan states that all listed areas are now excluded by default, and conditional areas must be expressly designated. Its effect on claims outcomes has not yet been tested in arbitration.
The players
Nordic Marine Insurance Plan
The standard marine insurance wording used across the Nordic region, which sets the default terms for hull and war risk cover.
NOMA Arbitration
The Nordic Marine Insurance arbitration body that is now the default dispute resolution mechanism under the Plan.
The details
Under the update, assureds must continuously provide insurers with information relevant to customer due diligence, and insurers gain stronger termination rights where sanctions risk arises. Revised rules also govern total loss compensation for deprivation of vessel use and for vessels blocked and trapped, including within the Strait of Hormuz.
Timeline
2025: NOMA award in the Heroic Idun issued
1 October 2026: 2027 Nordic Marine Insurance Plan published
Market Dynamics
The amendments draw on the 2025 NOMA award in the Heroic Idun to update war risk rules in the 2027 Plan. The shift toward NOMA arbitration is expected to increase its use across Nordic marine disputes.
Shipowners and insurers operating in affected waters should review excluded and conditional area designations under the 2027 Plan. Clearer dispute forum rules may affect how claims are pursued and which proceedings apply.
The takeaway
Shipowners should check their war risk exposure and sanctions due diligence obligations against the revised 2027 Nordic Plan terms. Confirming the applicable dispute forum early can avoid uncertainty if a claim arises.
Further reading
Explore more on Insurance for context on how marine and war risk cover is structured.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Legal 500.
