The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation said it will provide reinsurance for losses in the Gulf region up to about $20 billion in a move intended to shore up confidence among oil and liquefied natural gas shippers operating amid heightened conflict with Iran.
The agency said the decision follows a directive from the President issued on Tuesday that tasked the DFC with supplying political risk insurance and financial guarantees for maritime trade in the Gulf. The action responds to the near-cessation of tanker transit through the Strait of Hormuz - a waterway cited in the directive as ordinarily carrying 20% of the world’s oil flows each day.
Scope and mechanics of coverage
DFC officials said the reinsurance will be provided on a rolling basis, with initial emphasis on hull and machinery and cargo insurance. The agency indicated it will partner with preferred American insurance firms to deliver the coverage but did not disclose the identities of those partners or further operational details.
The U.S. Treasury Department and the DFC are coordinating with U.S. Central Command on implementing the plan and determining subsequent steps, the agency said.
Context on shipping disruption
The agency’s statement noted that oil shipments have been largely blocked through the Strait of Hormuz, with several tankers reported damaged by strikes and others stranded. Those conditions have driven up war-risk insurance premiums and prompted some providers to scale back or withdraw coverage entirely, exacerbating the risks faced by vessels and shippers in the region.
Implications and immediate aims
The DFC framed the reinsurance arrangement as a confidence-building measure for maritime commerce in the Gulf. By offering a government-backed layer of protection for losses up to roughly $20 billion, the agency aims to reduce the insurance gap that has emerged as private providers reassess exposure and pricing in the wake of attacks and transit interruptions.
The agency did not offer additional data on the timeline for rolling coverage or the precise contractual arrangements with its insurance partners. Absent those details, market participants and affected shippers will rely on further coordination among the DFC, the Treasury Department and U.S. Central Command to clarify implementation.
This report presents the DFC’s announced measures and the immediate operational context as described by the agency.