India’s maritime insurance pool won’t replace IG P&Is but will aid in uncertainty
- The Hormuz crisis has forced India to diversify oil imports, with the latest waiver extension on Russian sanctions aiding in finding replacement barrels
- An Indian insurance pool will allow continued imports of Russian barrels even if other insurers are unwilling to insure such voyages despite waivers
- Policies have already been issued to provide Indian shippers and charterers with cover, though these are not directly tied to crude oil
Counterparties may need time to accept the new pool launched by New Delhi. Reliance on traditional P&I clubs will remain, with the pool seen by industry experts as complementary