Facing the heat of rising freight rates and insurance premiums, various export bodies including APEDA have approached the Commerce Ministry and DGFT for urgent relief. Exporters are specifically seeking a waiver or reduction in port charges and a check on “arbitrary” insurance hikes imposed by shipping lines during the ongoing Middle East crisis. Small and medium exporters have reported that the increased cost of shipping is wiping out their margins on existing contracts. The government is currently evaluating a relief package that might include procedural flexibilities and financial buffers to ensure that India’s export momentum remains steady despite global maritime disruptions.