JUPITER SEA & AIR
SERVICES PVT. LTD, EGMORE – CHENNAI, INDIA.
E-MAIL : Robert.sands@jupiterseaair.co.in Mobile : +91 98407 85202
Corporate News Letter for Friday - February 28, 2025
Today’s
Exchange Rates
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/// Sea Cargo News ///
Chabahar Port’s
geopolitical fights: India’s investment held hostage
United
States President Donald Trump on February 6, 2025, signed an Executive Order
that sought to reverse exemptions that had been extended earlier which helped
Iran gain advantages from some sanctions.
This general policy shift now includes prohibitions that would have a devastating impact on future development of Chabahar Port—a key infrastructure project for Indian regional politics. Originally intended to serve as a bypass trade corridor of Pakistan, Chabahar was the epicenter of Indian aspirations to form an Afghan to Central Asian trade corridor.
With
the re-imposition of US sanctions, however, India’s multi-billion-dollar
investment in its port now hangs in the balance, compromising its overall
regional ambition. For India, Chabahar Port was not just an infrastructure
project but a geopolitical act that helped cut India’s reliance on Pakistan,
its principal regional adversary.
The
Port was meant to give India direct access to Afghanistan and indirectly
Central Asia – regions still of great importance to India’s pursuit of trade
growth. Central Asia, being land locked, was dependent on Pakistan connected
trade routes and hence India’s investment in Chabahar was an integral part of
its master plan.
The
port expansion was intended to counterbalance Pakistan’s position in the region
along with Chinese economic incursions via the China Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC), which is one of Beijing’s pet Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects.
In
building Chabahar, India politically challenged Pakistan in a straight face.
The port was envisioned to be an alternative trade route that would go around
Pakistan’s monopoly of the historic Afghan trade route. India’s aim was simple:
To make Afghanistan a centre of influence, cut off Pakistan’s grip, and prevent
China from expanding its influence in the nation. Chabahar was therefore a
prized asset in India’s strategic battle with Pakistan and China.
The
United State’s move to block the relief of sanctions for Chabahar port has the
direct effect of undermining India’s involvement, immensely depriving its
strategic value.
India’s
economic interest in the region is now set directly against the American
foreign policy, resulting in an uncertain geopolitical landscape. Threats to
the investment go beyond strictly financial ones since India has to deal with
sanctions compliance issues as well as attempting to safe- guard its own
regional interests.
The very nature of India’s regional strategy has been undercut with American sanctions now presenting a tough decision for further developing progress on Chabahar. Afghanistan, on its part, has been a strong supporter of Chabahar as a bypass trade route around Pakistan but now stands at a crossroads.
Bangladesh
itself is another regional giant country that appears to be self assured in its
investment in CPEC, viewing the project as a safe, value based venture. India’s
own investments in Chabahar, however, now appear uncertain challenges,
witnessing the merits of political stability and long term strategic vision.
Indian investment in Chabahar, dependent as it is on uncertain geopolitical
forces, Pakistan’s development through CPEC is increasingly vindicating its
claim as a pivot of regional trade.
Since India is confronting increasing adversity in its mission for regional domination through the Chabahar corridor, the sustained infrastructural growth of Pakistan seems to place it on favourable ground.
Orissa high court releases cargo ship a year after detention at Pradip Port
MV
Debi was detained at the multi-purpose berth of the port on November 30, 2023
after 22 kg of cocaine was seized from the vessel at Paradip International
Cargo Terminal (PICT) at Paradip port. Subsequent to the seizure, the assistant
commissioner, Paradeep Customs Division, ordered that no movement
authorisations be given to the vessel without prior consultation.
Why VOC port needs an
outer harbour
The ₹7,056-crore outer harbour development project at VOC port, in Thoothukudi, is being revived two decades after it was initiated without much success. After the first tender for the project evoked poor response, the port authority re-tendered, which saw large companies like Adani Ports, DP World and Vedanta Group participating in the pre-bid meeting.
It
would be interesting to see who finally bid. But, first, why does the port
need an outer harbour? The main reason is the growing size of container
ships in the past five years — lengths extending beyond 400 m and carrying
capacity of nearly 22,000 twenty foot equivalent units (TEU) — whereas VOC port
can handle only half this size.
Mere modernisation of the inner harbour and optimisation of existing berths cannot equip the port to handle the large vessels. An outer harbour is needed to meet future demand, says the detailed project report.
Panama court to hear challenge to Hong Kong firm's canal concession
A
Panama court has agreed to review the concession granted to a Hong Kong-based
firm to operate ports on either end of the Panama Canal -- the source of US
President Donald Trump's concerns for Chinese influence over the waterway.
The
Supreme Court has agreed to consider a request filed by a lawyer to nullify the
contract to CK Hutchison Holdings, owned by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing,
Panama's judicial branch said in a statement. A subsidiary of CK Hutchison
manages two of the canal's five ports, an arrangement in place since 1997 via a
concession from the Panama government.
The
latest lawsuit will consider the "automatic extension" of concession
rights until 2047, according to court documents. This is the second
challenge to the contract after two other lawyers filed a similar case earlier
this month, claiming the concession was unconstitutional.
Panama
Ports Company – a CK Hutchison Holdings subsidiary – manages the ports of
Cristobal on the Canal’s Atlantic side
and Balboa on the Pacific side. That arrangement was automatically renewed in
2021.
The
legal challenger comes after Trump threatened to take back the canal – built by
US and handed over to Panama in 1999 – claiming China was effectively
“operating” the vital waterway.
But
temperatures have lowered since US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent
visit to Panama with President Jose Raul Mulino announcing Panama will not
renew participation in China’s Belt and Road initiative. Following Trump’s
charges, Panama also announced it would audit the Panama Ports Company. CK
Hutchison Holding is one of Hong Kong’s
largest conglomerates, spanning finance, retail, infrastructure, telecom and
logistics.
Sanctioned Russian oil vanishes from tracking in Gulf of Oman
A
cargo of Russian oil that’s under heavy US sanctions vanished from global
tracking systems, evidence of how difficult it will be to keep track of — and
enforce — the measures . The 900-foot oil tanker Meru left
Murmansk in the Arctic Sea on Jan. 20, ten days after the US Treasury’s Office
of Foreign Assets Control imposed most-aggressive sanctions on Russia’s oil
trade — especially those from the Arctic.
The
Meru was initially destined for the Indian port of Vadinar, according to
shipping information seen by Bloomberg — even if the tanker’s digital tracking
system showed “Suez” until it reached the southern Red Sea. At that point, it
was changed to “Persian Gulf.”
While the Meru is now visible again on the industry’s Automatic Identification System, it disappeared from vessel tracking systems for just long enough for its cargo to be switched onto another as-yet-unidentified ship.
Trump proposes new
ship fees to challenge China’s maritime might
The Trump administration is proposing fees on the use of China’s commercial ships it says could help counter the country’s maritime dominance. The Office of the US Trade Representative outlined a plan for fees on Chinese-built ships that transport traded goods as well as mandates requiring a portion of US products to be moved on American vessels.
The
proposal, announced on Friday, springs from a trade investigation into China’s
practices in the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding industries
that began under the Biden administration and concluded with a report just
four days before President Donald Trump took office.
The
US inquiry concluded that Beijing was unfairly dominating the sectors and said
“urgent action” was needed to address the issue.
CMA CGM and Maersk US flag carriers enter
into slot exchange deals
Major and Minor adjustments to Far East
trade routes
Australia looks at
improving air connectivity with South India to boost business
Australia is hoping that the increased air
connectivity between South India and the country will improve the business and
investment opportunities in the region. Speaking to the media on the
side-lines of the Invest Kerala Global Summit in Kochi on Saturday, Australian
Consul General in Chennai Silai Zaki said the major Indian and Australian
airlines are looking at the opportunities in the sector.
The Indian carriers Indigo and Air
India are likely to commence services from South India soon, she
said. Zaki also welcomed the decision of the Kerala Government
to open up the higher education sector to private and foreign investments.
On the possibility of Australian Universities setting up campuses in Kerala, she said it would largely depend on the kind of incentives offered by the government. She cited the example of one of the Australian Universities setting up a campus in the Gift City in Gujarat.
Ramco Systems
Partners with Fly Vaayu to Implement Next-Gen Aviation Software
Global aviation software specialist Ramco Systems has announced its collaboration with Fly Vaayu, a UAE-based cargo airline, to implement its advanced Aviation Software.
The partnership aims to enhance Fly Vaayu’s operational efficiency by integrating key aviation management modules, further solidifying its position in the growing cargo sector. The Ramco Aviation Software will also be deployed at Pradhaan Air Express, India’s youngest cargo airline and a strategic investment of the Vaayu Group.
The implementation will streamline operations, enhance process efficiencies, and improve overall productivity across both airlines. Under the partnership, Fly Vaayu will benefit from Ramco’s integrated digital platform, which includes modules for Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO), Maintenance Planning, Line Maintenance, Supply Chain Management, and Finance & Accounting.
American
Airlines Cargo continues to reduce plastic waste
Source: American Airlines Cargo/Alexander J.
RyanAmerican Airlines Cargo has continued to
invest in reducing plastic waste in its operations through its partnership
with BioNatur Plastics.
The two companies launched
their partnership in 2022 with the airline utilising BioNatur
Plastics’ biodegradable plastic products for lower deck pallet
covers, heavy-duty poly sheeting, stretch wrap, bottom sheeting and plastic
covers.
In the first year of the partnership,
American Airlines Cargo reduced its yearly long-term traditional plastic
waste by the equivalent of 6.4m plastic water bottles.
Last year, the partnership resulted in a
reduction of long-term plastic waste by the equivalent of 12.6m plastic water
bottles – a nearly 100% increase compared to 2022 levels.
In 2023, the airline reduced
plastic waste by the equivalent 8.6m bottles.
BioNatur Plastics supplies biodegradable and
100% recyclable plastic products that do not break down into micro-plastics and
instead biodegrade in a landfill environment within eight to 12 years.
American currently uses BioNatur plastic at
most of its US hubs, as well as at smaller domestic stations and in Latin
America, with plans to continue expanding use of the biodegradable plastic
across all operations in place of traditional plastic.
"We have a strong and successful
partnership with BioNatur Plastics, and I’m pleased to see how much our efforts
to migrate more of our operations plastic use to their biodegradable products
is helping us reduce our long-term waste and overall footprint,” said Greg
Schwendinger, president, American Airlines Cargo.
“To see the progress over just three years
shows how implementing sustainable practices can truly make a difference. We
look forward to continuing to work toward a green future.”
New
Air Cargo Summit on the block
ICAO will be holding its first Global Air
Cargo Summit in Antalya, Türkiye, in April this year: in the week prior to
IATA’s World Cargo Symposium. Does the industry need another cargo event and
how will this one differ from existing, established conferences?
It was only during an ad hoc discussion with
a communication peer in the industry the week before last, that CargoForwarder
Global learned of The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s
upcoming event. A press release on the subject is not to be found on the ICAO
website, though registration apparently opened on 29JAN25, as this was pushed
through the organization’s social media channels.
A rudimentary outline of the program is
available on the event’s webpage, which was updated last week to include a
video welcome address by ICAO Secretary General, Juan Carlos Salazar. The
tentative agenda shows the three days split into Economic Development, Security
and Facilitation, and Safety and Emerging Issues.
A mix of presentations, panel discussions and
‘SkyTalks’ surrounding infrastructure, dangerous goods transportation, more
flexible frameworks for air cargo, and the usual cargo conference themes of
e-commerce, sustainability, and technology – viz digitalization, are listed.
One interesting agenda focus does stands out, that is not often talked about: ‘Supporting air cargo transportation with unmanned aircraft’. However, with roughly 50 days left to go, there is no indication yet of who the speakers/presenters/exhibitors or sponsors will be.
CFG is interested to know who will be
attending and/or speaking. Image: Canva/CFGICAO explains
CFG wanted to know why ICAO had chosen to launch this summit, why the timing was so close to IATA’s conference, how this event would differ from existing events, and how many participants were expected, among other things.
10 such questions were put to William
Raillant-Clark, Communications Officer at ICAO, who provided the following text
by way of explanation:
“The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is launching its First
Global Air Cargo Summit in Antalya, Türkiye, from April 9-11, 2025, recognizing
the vital role that air cargo plays in global trade and commerce. The summit,
themed ‘Advancing the Sustainable Growth of Air Cargo,’ comes at a crucial time,
as air freight currently constitutes 35% of world trade by value despite
accounting for less than one percent by volume. The significance of air cargo
was particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, where it proved
essential for transporting humanitarian and medical supplies while maintaining
critical supply chains for consumer goods.”
What is ICAO’s intention?
“This inaugural summit will serve as a crucial collaborative platform bringing together diverse stakeholders including regulators, airlines, freight forwarders, airport operators, academia, and strategic partners from relevant United Nations agencies. The timing is particularly significant as the discussions and outcomes are expected to help inform policy decisions at the upcoming 42nd session of the ICAO Assembly in September, making it a unique and exceptional venue for shaping the global air cargo framework,” he continued.
“The comprehensive three-day program will address critical industry
challenges through ten focused sessions, covering topics such as market access
liberalization, e-commerce integration, infrastructure development, security
measures, and the emerging role of unmanned aircraft in cargo operations. Key
discussions will explore ways to improve the operating environment by removing
operational and regulatory constraints while maintaining safety and security
standards. Specific focus areas include establishing more liberal market access
for air cargo operations, implementing quality infrastructure, streamlining
security measures, and fostering technological innovation in cargo processing.
The summit will also examine the growing relationship between air cargo and
e-commerce, noting that 80% of cross-border e-commerce is transported by air.
The event will be complemented by an exhibition showcasing products and
services related to air cargo services. Administrative arrangements and
registration details are being made available through the meeting website. The
summit will be conducted in English and is being hosted by the Turkish
Directorate General of Civil Aviation.”
What does IATA think?
Given that IATA’s World Cargo Symposium takes
place in Dubai, the week after the first ICAO Global Air Cargo Summit, CFG
wanted to know if this would affect IATA attendances and whether IATA had been
informed in advance. Brendan Sullivan, Global Head, Cargo, at IATA, confirmed:
“We are, of course, aware of the ICAO Global Air Cargo Summit and have been
invited to attend, as indeed ICAO is always invited to contribute to our World
Cargo Symposium (WCS). Our organizations are complementary, with different priorities,
and we anticipate our events will reflect those differences. If the air cargo
community finds value in ICAO’s event, then we welcome its addition to the
calendar. For our part, the WCS continues to go from strength to strength with
record attendances and exhibitor interest, and we expect an even more
successful event this year.”
And what about TIACA?
Similar questions were put to TIACA’s
Director General, Glyn Hughes, who responded: “Yes, I was aware of the ICAO
event. They have been looking at holding something for a couple of years. I
have been invited to make a keynote and to moderate a panel,” he offered. “There
are a lot of industry events which means each of us who run events must
differentiate our offering. ICAO are uniquely positioned to attract regulators
and other government representatives which should provide a great platform for
industry to communicate challenges and required solutions. I’m looking forward
to engaging with as many state representatives as possible,” he explained.
“These crucial interactions could then feed into our, TIACA Executive Summit
scheduled for mid-year, and our Air Cargo Forum scheduled for November.”
Academia and UN agencies are more unique
With academia and UN agencies attending,
ICAO’s event may be more successful than other industry events, in bringing
agreements onto the table when it comes to regulatory frameworks and security
measures. Yet, who from the air cargo industry will be attending? A mini
LinkedIn Poll shows most not yet having been aware of the ICAO event, and the
sheer number of cargo conferences has long been a topic of criticism. Some
questioned the need for yet another one. As Henrik Ambak put it: “The
calendar is now full: you can pack your suitcase right after New Year and
return just in time for Christmas…and with so many conferences, no time to take
action in between, which of course requires a conference of its own to discuss…”.
Maurice Abondo remarked: “The IATA World Cargo Symposium will more or less
be touching on the same subjects of Sustainability, Regulatory Frameworks and
harmonisation of Operational Standards. Bringing Regulators to the IATA Event,
all under One Roof with Airlines, GHAs, and large Forwarders, would be more
impactful.”
In the interests of Sustainability
Whether the ICAO Global Air Cargo Summit will carve out a distinct niche in the conference calendar remains to be seen. (And the question of whether it will become an annual event was also left unanswered.) Its success will likely depend on its ability to deliver concrete outcomes and facilitate meaningful dialogue between regulators and industry stakeholders.
In the interests of sustainability, however, CFG agrees with Maurice Abondo’s
remark. Would it not make more sense to streamline the existing and well-established
events and put a greater focus on tangible results and agreements on their
agendas, broadening the attendee list to attract and include academia,
regulators and authority bodies?
What are your thoughts, and will you be
attending?
Exclusive:
Condor receives CEIV Pharma Certification
The leisure airline’s Cargo division has
obtained the IATA seal of approval as CEIV Pharma carrier. This hallmark,
issued by the Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical
Logistics, confirms that Condor complies with the globally recognized standards
for transporting and handling sensitive as well as temperature critical
pharmaceutical products.
Last week, the atmosphere at the Cargo
division’s HQ near Frankfurt Airport was particularly cheerful. Management
announced that Condor Cargo had officially obtained the IATA CEIV Pharma
Certification. With this globally recognized standard, the airline received the
knighthood forthe proper handling of pharmaceuticals throughout the entire
logistics chain, considering key paradigms such as safety, compliance,
efficiency and sustainability.
With this illustration Condor announces the
CEIV-Certification to its customers – credit: CFGCondor Cargo is lifted to a higher level
Two things are particularly noteworthy about
this process: According to available data, Condor is the first leisure airline
worldwide whose freight division received this IATA hallmark. Secondly, the
entire validation process, i.e. the review of all processes in connection with
pharma transports by external experts, took less than a year.
A record-breaking short period of time for
the sequence of very complex checks. Thilo Schäfer, Director Cargo at Condor,
is in a correspondingly good mood. Thanks to the CEIV Pharma Certification,
Condor Cargo’s entire business segment has been significantly upgraded.
With this step, the cargo division of his
airline is a pioneer in the entire holiday aviation industry. “The
transportation of pharmaceutical & healthcare products is highly sensitive
by nature. We are therefore delighted that Condor has been awarded the CEIV
Pharma certification, demonstrating our ability to meet critical challenges
such as maintaining cold chain integrity, speed, and reliability.”
CEIV Pharma certified routes will grow
He points out that this segment plays an
increasingly important role in air freight and is having a positive effect on
Condor’s annual financial result.
The validation initially applies to some of Condor’s core routes. Currently,
the transportation of pharmaceutical shipments following CEIV standards is
available on the carrier’s nonstop flights between Frankfurt (FRA), Toronto
(YYZ), New York (JFK), and Miami (MIA).
“We plan to continuously expand this
offering and extend it to additional routes between Frankfurt and other global
destinations,” explains Dimitri Mougoyannis, Director Ground
Operations. “Our goal is to provide our customers with a high-quality
solution on key pharmaceutical trade lanes.”
On long-haul routes, the leisure airline
currently operates 18 brand-new Airbus A330-900neo passenger aircraft, each
offering a cargo capacity in their lower decks of 10 to 14 tons per flight,
significantly expanding Condor’s cargo capabilities. Three more A-30-900s have
also been ordered and should be delivered by the end of 2028. Following the
renewal of the long-haul fleet in 2024, Condor has now turned its focus to its
short-and medium-haul fleet.
With the addition of brand-new A32xneo
aircraft to the fleet, Condor is about to become an Airbus-only fleet operator
by the end of this year. Cargo chief Schäfer told CFG that CFG Cargo’s* “product
portfolio expansion and this new offering have already been well received by
our customers, and we are committed to further strengthening this segment in
the coming months.” The evolution of Condor Cargo continues, the
executive concludes.
Exclusive
– Liège establishes Cargo Community
“United we stand, divided we fall.” According
to credible sources, this was already exclaimed by the ancient Greek poet,
Aesop, in the 6th century BC. In line with Aesop’s prophetic words, Walloon
Airport Liège (LGG) has now founded a cargo community called “LGG Connect”.
The main aim of management is to overcome silo
thinking and to enhance visibility. Examples from Amsterdam and Brussels show
the positive effects this can have for everyone involved. Torsten Wefers (TW),
Vice President Sales & Marketing, presented the project exclusively to
CargoForwarder Global (CFG).
LGG CEO Laurent Jossart and Torsten Wefers
(standing to the left of Jossart) present the Cargo Connect agreement, flanked
by members of the pact – courtesy LGG
CFG: Liège Airport is jointly owned by the
Walloon government and some private investors. What role do these owners play
in the new Cargo Club “LGG Connect”?
TW: The shareholders firmly back the
establishment of the LGG Connect cargo community but are not participating as
active members.
CFG: How many stakeholders have become
members and how many of them are representatives of airlines, forwarders,
ground handlers or other logistics players active in LGG?
TW: LGG Connect was founded by six key
members: Liège Airport, which initiated the project; Swissport, WFS, and
Aviapartner, representing 60% of our handlers; Wallenborn, a leading trucking
company; and Fresh Express, a homegrown freight forwarder with strong expertise
in perishables. We chose to start with a select group of major LGG stakeholders
who were eager to be part of this strategic initiative. Establishing a cargo
community as a non-profit organization proved more complex than anticipated, making
it more practical to begin with a smaller core group. However, our ambitions
are high. We’ll soon be welcoming new members and have exciting plans for
expansion as we continue to grow.
CFG: Presumably, the community should not
remain a pure, non-binding debating club. Hence, who coordinates the activities
of LGG Connect, how binding are decisions taken and their practical
implementation?
TW: Exactly. First and foremost, LGG
Connect is not a forum for discussing personal company issues or sensitive
commercial information. Each member must set aside their company-specific
interests and focus on how we can grow collectively, as a unified ecosystem
rather than as individual entities.
Every stakeholder is a crucial link in the supply chain, and the efficiency of
air cargo depends on seamless coordination among all players. When one link
weakens, the entire chain is impacted. That’s why collaboration is at the heart
of our approach.
Our Secretary General coordinates activities such as working groups and
meetings, but ultimately all members collectively decide the direction we take.
Together, we are shaping the strategy for this year and beyond, setting clear
priorities, defining future actions, and ensuring a long-term vision.
LGG Connect is set to become a key driving force behind the airport’s growth.
However, it’s important to acknowledge that this influence comes with
responsibility. If LGG Connect were to take a different strategic direction,
Liège Airport would have no control over it. That’s why we designed our
governance structure to ensure balance: each founding member has a seat on the
board and, to maintain fairness, all players have equal decision-making power.
DB
ends corruption proceedings following deal with Cathay
After the fraud scam involving excessive
surcharges was uncovered 15 years ago, Schenker’s owner, Deutsche Bahn, has now
finally been able to close the corruption chapter. Cathay Pacific was the last
of just under a dozen airlines sued, and, at the beginning of this year, it
ended its legal dispute with the DB Group by mutual agreement. In a joint
statement, the two companies negated information about financial specifics of
the deal.
Short review: Back in 2008/09, the air
freight industry was hit by major shock waves, after cartel practices came to
light. Above all, the sudden scandal alarmed the defrauded parties because they
had paid excessive security and kerosene surcharges to freight carriers over
longer periods, that had been secretly and illegally agreed between airline
managers in shady rooms.
According to documents presented by DB
Schenker, the Deutsche Bahn subsidiary was defrauded of 1,76 billion euros
resulting from excessive surcharges demanded by airlines.
After the full dimension of the fraud had become
obvious, Schenker parent, Deutsche Bahn, claimed compensation payments from 11
airlines. Simultaneously, the EU Commission imposed fines of 776 million euros
on the same carriers for illegal price fixing. These were: Air Canada, Air
France-KLM, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Cargolux, Japan Airlines, LAN
Chile, Martinair, SAS, Singapore Airlines and Qantas.
Cathay reached a deal with DB in the illegal
price fixing affair after years of legal wrangling – photo: B747-8F
– courtesy: CX
Lufthansa Group submitted a leniency
application
Originally, the fraudster cartel also included Lufthansa Cargo and its sister
company, Swiss WorldCargo. Yet, the EU waived fines as the Group had initiated
the entire proceedings after it was guaranteed key witness status. However, the
Lufthansa Group had to pay fines in the upper double-digit million range as a
result of civil lawsuits bundled by Deutsche Bahn on behalf of aggravated
parties such as Hellmann, Kuehne+Nagel, and others.
The last Mohican
Cathay Pacific was the last remaining defendant in this case after all other
proceedings had been settled. Both sides involved have agreed to keep the
details of the accord confidential, particularly the financial specifics it
includes.
Martin Seiler, DB Board Member for Human
Resources and Legal Affairs commented: “Our competition litigation experts
have battled to secure over 65 settlements and recovered nearly 700 million
euros in damages in the last few years – this marks a victory for justice and
fair competition. I am pleased that this long-running legal process regarding
the air freight cartel has now been successfully concluded.”
In their action against the air freight
cartel, the plaintiffs of Deutsche Bahn had proceeded very creatively, writes
the daily newspaper, Handelsblatt. Their comrades-in-arms recruited airline
lawyers under the code word “Barnsdale”.
This is the name of a historical landscape in
the UK that is closely associated with the legend of Robin Hood. The aim was to
avoid possible retaliatory measures such as the delayed loading of Schenker
shipments at airports or their late delivery to customers, thus harming the
agent.
Tire cartel emerges on the horizon
Further work may already be waiting for Seiler and his anti-corruption squad.
As a result of recent raids, a cartel of tire manufacturers is emerging.
According to informed sources, its members are likely to be the world’s leading
players in the industry. However, the DB rail group is still keeping a low
profile on the subject. Apparently, Seiler and his team’s tough stance against
corruption enables an inflow of cash to replenish the empty coffers of the
railway company.
I hope you have enjoyed reading the above news letter.
Robert Sands
Joint Managing Director
Jupiter Sea & Air
Services Pvt Ltd
Casa Blanca, 3rd Floor
11, Casa Major Road,
Egmore
Chennai – 600 008.
India.
GST Number :
33AAACJ2686E1ZS.
Tel : + 91 44 2819 0171
/ 3734 / 4041
Fax : + 91 44 2819 0735
Mobile : + 91 98407
85202
E-mail : robert.sands@jupiterseaair.co.in
Website : www.jupiterseaair.com 1Branches : Chennai, Bangalore,
Mumbai, Coimbatore, Tirupur and Tuticorin.
Associate Offices : New
Delhi, Kolkatta, Cochin & Hyderabad.
Thanks to : Container News, Indian Seatrade & Air Cargo News.
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