The Ministry of Commerce & Industry, through the Department of Commerce, has extended the operational timelines of Component II of the RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) scheme until 30th September 2026 via Notification No.37/2026-27. This extension addresses continued geopolitical disruptions in West Asia that are impacting maritime logistics across the Gulf and adjoining regions.
The RELIEF scheme, originally launched on 19 March 2026 as a time-bound intervention under the Export Promotion Mission, provides support to Indian exporters affected by extraordinary freight escalation, heightened insurance premiums, and war-related export risks. Component II specifically encourages exporters to obtain ECGC (Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India) cover for upcoming shipments to specified regions with 95% risk coverage. The coverage is available for both Stand Alone Policies and Whole Turnover Policies obtained on or after 16 March 2026.
The scheme covers various cargo types including Full Container Load (FCL), Less than Container Load (LCL), and Reefer containers, though explicitly excludes energy shipments. A key feature ensures that the premium paid by exporters will not increase beyond pre-disruption levels during the eligible period. This intervention reflects the Government of India's commitment to maintaining export resilience and sustaining trade flows amid ongoing geopolitical and logistics uncertainties in the West Asia maritime corridor.