The Centre has extended Component II of the Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) initiative by six months until March 31, 2027, to help Indian exporters manage higher shipping costs, insurance premiums and war-related risks amid continuing geopolitical disruptions in West Asia.
The Department of Commerce announced the extension as tensions in the region continue to affect maritime logistics across the Gulf and surrounding areas, increasing freight rates, insurance costs and risks for export shipments.
Under Component II, eligible exporters can receive 95 per cent risk coverage through the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC). The scheme also protects against increases in insurance premiums beyond pre-disruption levels during the eligible period.
The coverage applies to standalone and whole-turnover ECGC policies obtained on or after March 16, 2026. Eligible cargo includes full container load (FCL), less than container load (LCL) and refrigerated container shipments. Energy shipments are excluded from the scheme.
Exporters seeking benefits must submit their claims and supporting documents through the ECGC customer portal. The corporation has also made video tutorials available on its official YouTube channel to assist exporters with registration and claim submission.
Launched on March 19, 2026, RELIEF is part of the government’s Export Promotion Mission. The initiative aims to help Indian exporters address exceptional increases in logistics costs and export-related risks arising from disruptions along the Gulf and the wider West Asian maritime corridor.
The extension is expected to support continuity in India’s export trade and reduce exporters’ exposure to elevated shipping and insurance costs while geopolitical uncertainty persists. The extent of its impact will depend on eligible exporters’ participation and the coverage available under the scheme.