NEW YORK—XL Insurance, the global insurance operation of XL Capital Ltd., is starting an inland marine operation and has appointed former Catlin U.S. executive Frank Oleskiewicz to develop it.

Mr. Oleskiewicz, who will be based in New York and will have the title of vp and senior underwriter, will be responsible for building XL’s inland marine business, which includes coverage for goods in transit and builders risk, the company said in a statement.

Mr. Oleskiewicz previously was director of inland marine for Catlin U.S., a unit of Catlin Group Ltd., where he started the insurer’s inland marine product line.

The inland marine unit will be part of XL’s marine and offshore energy division, which already writes coverages for hull, cargo, offshore energy and marine liability insurance.