The Commerce Ministry announced on October 2 that it had extended the eligibility window for Component II of RELIEF, its export-support intervention responding to shipping disruption in West Asia. The underlying notification was issued on September 30; the announcement is not a new scheme launch.
The notification extends eligibility for covered delivery or transshipment consignments to March 31, 2027. It leaves the other provisions of the earlier framework unchanged. RELIEF operates within the Export Promotion Mission and was introduced on March 19 this year.
Under Component II, eligible exporters obtain ECGC insurance with 95% risk coverage for upcoming shipments to specified destinations. Stand Alone and Whole Turnover policies obtained from March 16, 2026, qualify under the stated conditions. Covered cargo includes full-container, less-than-container and refrigerated-container shipments, while energy shipments are excluded.
The ministry also said exporters' premiums would remain capped at their pre-disruption level during the eligible period. The support addresses elevated freight charges, insurance costs and war-related export risks. It does not amount to a declaration that maritime routes have returned to normal: the ministry cited continuing geopolitical and logistics disruption as the reason for extending assistance.