India extends export insurance support amid West Asia shipping disruption
RELIEF support includes 95 per cent risk coverage for eligible shipments. The ministry’s summary does not specify the revised closing date.
India has extended the operational timeline for an export-insurance support programme as disruption in West Asia continues to affect maritime logistics. The Commerce Ministry announced the move on October 2, citing Notification 37/2026–27 dated September 30.
The extension concerns Component II of RELIEF, a time-bound intervention under the Export Promotion Mission. It encourages exporters to obtain ECGC insurance for upcoming shipments to specified regions, offering 95 per cent risk coverage.
Eligible cargo includes full-container loads, less-than-container loads and refrigerated containers. Energy shipments are excluded. The component covers standalone and whole-turnover policies obtained on or after March 16, 2026.
The ministry said premiums paid by exporters would not rise above pre-disruption levels for the eligible period. The programme was launched on March 19 to address higher freight costs, insurance premiums and war-related export risks in the Gulf and wider West Asia corridor.
One important detail remains outside the announcement: the revised closing date. Exporters should check the notification and policy conditions before committing a shipment. The stated 95 per cent figure is insurance risk coverage, not a promise to reimburse 95 per cent of freight charges.