New Delhi, March 18 -- Special Secretary in the Shipping Ministry Rajesh Kumar Sinha on Wednesday said that war risk insurance premiums for ships have increased amid evolving security concerns in sensitive maritime regions.

Speaking during an inter-ministerial briefing, Sinha explained that such premiums, which are typically minimal, rise significantly when vessels operate in high-risk or conflict-prone areas.

"The additional war risk premium is being imposed now. Under normal circumstances, it is very low--around 0.01 per cent or 0.02 per cent," he said.

He added that the premium increases depending on the risk exposure of a vessel's route, particularly when entering conflict zones.

"If a ship enters a war zone, is on a voyage throug...