India's ambitious plan to establish a locally owned Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Club is encountering significant challenges, leading to a slowdown in its progress. The initiative, aimed at providing Indian shipowners with local insurance solutions and reducing dependency on foreign clubs, has been hampered by various obstacles.

The primary goal of the proposed P&I Club is to offer comprehensive marine insurance coverage, including liability for shipowners against risks such as pollution, wreck removal, and third-party damages. This move was expected to enhance the country's maritime sector's self-reliance and reduce foreign exchange outflow.

However, several factors have contributed to the initiative losing steam. One major hurdle is the lack of sufficient domestic expertise and experience in managing such specialized insurance operations. The complex nature of P&I insurance, which involves high-value claims and extensive legal and technical knowledge, has made it challenging to develop a robust framework locally.

Additionally, the financial backing required to establish and sustain a P&I Club is substantial. Ensuring adequate capitalization and reinsurance support to cover large claims is crucial, but securing these resources has proven difficult. Potential investors and stakeholders remain cautious, given the high risks associated with the maritime insurance industry.

Regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles have also played a role in slowing down the project's progress. Navigating through the intricate regulatory landscape and obtaining necessary approvals has been time-consuming, adding to the delays.

The Indian government and maritime industry stakeholders continue to explore solutions to overcome these challenges. Collaborations with established international P&I Clubs, capacity-building initiatives, and policy reforms are being considered to revive the project. Despite the setbacks, there remains optimism that with concerted efforts, the vision of a locally owned P&I Club can still be realised, bolstering India's maritime sector in the long run.