High Risk Area (HRA)

The High Risk Area was the industry-designated zone in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden where BMP counter-piracy measures applied at full intensity during the Somali piracy peak. After a sustained decline in attacks, the maritime industry organizations withdrew the Indian Ocean HRA effective 1 January 2023, replacing the blanket designation with threat-and-risk assessment for each voyage. The term survives as a charterparty and insurance trigger and in the Gulf of Guinea context.