JUPITER SEA & AIR
SERVICES PVT. LTD, EGMORE – CHENNAI, INDIA.
E-MAIL : Robert.sands@jupiterseaair.co.in Mobile : +91 98407 85202
Corporate News
Letter for Saturday - June 14,
2025
Today’s
Exchange Rates
|
CURRENCY |
PRICE |
CHANGE |
%CHANGE |
OPEN |
PREV.CLOSE |
DAY's LOW-HIGH |
|
86.08 |
0.470001 |
0.549003 |
86.14 |
85.61 |
85.9375- 86.22 |
|
|
1.1514 |
-0.007 |
-0.604289 |
1.1584 |
1.1584 |
1.1512- 1.1614 |
|
|
116.5943 |
0.373398 |
0.321283 |
116.7126 |
116.2209 |
116.4325- 116.8257 |
|
|
99.2175 |
0.168999 |
0.170622 |
99.3254 |
99.0485 |
99.091- 99.5074 |
|
|
144.093 |
0.613007 |
0.427242 |
143.48 |
143.48 |
142.794- 144.166 |
|
|
1.3543 |
-0.007 |
-0.514212 |
1.3613 |
1.3613 |
1.3522- 1.3632 |
|
|
98.34 |
0.418999 |
0.427895 |
97.772 |
97.921 |
97.621- 98.394 |
|
|
0.5975 |
0.0016 |
0.268506 |
0.5966 |
0.5959 |
0.5961- 0.6006 |
/// Sea Cargo News ///
V.O.C. port becomes India’s first plastic-free port
V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority
celebrated ‘World Environment Day‘ on 5th June 2025, on the theme ‘Beat Plastic
Pollution’, reaffirming its commitment to environmental stewardship and
sustainable practices.
Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE,
Chairperson, and the chief guest of the event Shri B. Kasiviswanathan, IRSME,
Chairperson, Cochin Port Authority jointly unveiled the plaque declaring V.O.
Chidambaranar Port Authority as a “Plastic Free Zone”, in the presence of Shri
Rajesh Soundararajan, IAS, Deputy Chairperson and Shri P.Kavin Maharaj, IOFS,
Chief Vigilance Officer and other Senior officers of the Port, marking a major
milestone in the Port’s journey towards environmental responsibility.
This significant sustainability milestone reinforces our commitment to Sustainable consumption & production, protecting oceans and marine ecosystems and preserving life on land.
New Zealand Calls for
Banning Substandard Vessels Based on 2023 Incident
Maritime investigators in New Zealand are
calling for the banning of substandard ships from the country’s water to avoid
potential disasters. In the wake of the release of the final report on the near
catastrophic incidents involving container ship Shiling, which
twice had to be rescued and towed back to port in 2023, the investigators as
saying that New Zealand can take a cue from Australia and ban substandard
ships.
The Transport Accident Investigation
Commission (TAIC) contends that the Singapore-registered Shiling,
which had a notorious history of mechanical problems, should never have been
allowed in New Zealand waters. TAIC is calling on the Ministry of Transport to
pass a law giving Maritime NZ the authority to ban certain ships from the
country. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has the powers, which it
has repeatedly utilized in banning ships deemed unsafe..
“The Commission found that
the Shiling had a history of deficiencies and that it’s
virtually certain the ship wasn’t seaworthy while in New Zealand,” said Naveen
Kozhuppakalam, TAIC’s Chief Investigator of Accidents.
Owing to its troubled history, it was
just a matter of time before a serious incident could occur. It did not take
long for the 294-meter (965-foot) long ship built at HD Hyundai Heavy
Industries in 2005 with a capacity of 5,117 TEU to experience its first major
incident. On April 15, 2023, the Shiling was under pilotage at
Wellington. Just after initiating a turn into the Wellington Harbour entrance
channel, the vessel suffered a blackout that caused the main engine to
stop...Maritime NZ issued a detention order against the Shiling and
carried out detailed inspections that identified numerous deficiencies. For the
next 25 days, the boxship remained at Wellington undergoing repairs to its
generators and rectification of the deficiencies identified.
On May 10, the Shiling departed
Wellington bound for Singapore... The engine room bilges were confirmed as dry
before the ship departed with the chief engineer intending to begin pumping out
the tanks through the approved oily water separator once the ship was outside
New Zealand’s territorial waters.
Owing to adverse weather forecasts for
the Tasman Sea, the master decided to take shelter near the New Zealand coast
and wait for about 36 hours for the weather to abate. At about 2300 on May 11,
the Shiling departed the sheltered waters bound for Singapore.
Because the engineers had been unable to
begin pumping out the oily water holding tanks, additional oily water that had
been produced while the ship remained in sheltered waters had filled the engine
room bilges and begun accumulating on the engine room tank top.
When the ship entered the Tasman Sea, it
began to roll, and the free water on the tank top entered the void under the
main engine sump, where three rubber diaphragms were located.
The fact that all three rubber diaphragms
deteriorated with age allowed the bilge water to enter the lube-oil tank,
causing the lube-oil pumps to lose pressure and the main engine to stop. New
Zealand’s inspectors later concluded the diaphragms had gone uninspected for
years.
Given the contamination of the lube oil
tank, the engineers were unable to restart the main engine. Without propulsion,
the Shiling settled beam-on to the waves and began rolling
heavily. At 0828, the master radioed the New Zealand Marine Operations Center
to request towing assistance. At 1056, due to continued heavy rolling, the
master made a mayday call and a tow vessel responded, managing to rescue the
container ship to the sheltered waters of Golden Bay and eventually back to
Wellington.
For the next 45 days, the Shiling remained
at Wellington undergoing surveys and repairs to the main engine, further
repairs to the generators in connection with the first incident, and repairs to
several other systems identified as substandard. On July 7, the ship was
finally allowed to depart New Zealand for Singapore.
In both incidents, there were no injuries
reported for the ship’s 24 crewmembers or environmental
pollution. Following the release of the final report, TAIC has gone ahead
to issue several recommendations, key of which is banning substandard vessels
from New Zealand’s waters.
Amazon Unveils AI-Powered Robots and Humanoids to Revolutionize Logistics
According to Reuters, Amazon’s Lab126 is developing
multi-tasking warehouse robots powered by agentic AI, a system that enables
machines to make decisions and handle multiple tasks without human
input. These robots will be capable of unloading trailers, retrieving
parts, and responding to natural language commands, offering more flexibility
than current single-function bots.
“We’re creating systems that can hear, understand, and act on voice
commands,” an Amazon spokesperson told Reuters. The company
also noted that these technologies will help reduce water usage and carbon
emissions, aligning with its sustainability goals.
As reported by The Information, Amazon is developing
software for humanoid robots aimed at performing delivery tasks. A “humanoid
park”, an indoor obstacle course at its San Francisco office is near completion
and will soon be used to test these robots in real-world-like environments.
Though in early stages, the project signals Amazon’s interest in reshaping
last-mile delivery with autonomous systems.
Amazon is also using generative AI to create precise delivery maps,
helping drivers navigate complex locations such as apartment buildings and
office parks. These maps detail building layouts, obstacles, and ideal drop-off
points to improve delivery speed and accuracy. To further assist drivers,
Amazon is testing smart glasses with built-in displays that provide hands-free,
real-time navigation.
In parallel, Amazon is enhancing predictive inventory planning using AI
to analyze weather, pricing trends, and sales events, ensuring high-demand
products are stocked efficiently across fulfillment centers. Together, these
advancements reflect Amazon’s strategy to automate and optimize its logistics
operations, laying the groundwork for a more intelligent, efficient, and
potentially autonomous future in e-commerce and delivery.
Cargo ship carrying electric cars catches fire near Alaska
In the waters outside Alaska’s Aleutian
Island chain, a cargo ship caught fire after setting sail from Yantai, China,
on May 26 to transport automobiles to Lazaro Cardenas, a major Pacific port in
Mexico. 3,000 vehicles, including 800 electric vehicles, were being transported
by the Morning Midas, a truck and car carrier that is 600 feet (183 meters)
long.
In the North Pacific, some 300 miles (490
kilometers) southwest of Adak Island, the crew of a neighboring merchant vessel
called the Cosco Hellas rescued the 22 crew members who had abandoned the
Morning Midas when it caught fire and saved them aboard a lifeboat.
US Coast Guard photos and statement from
the ship’s management company, Zodiac Maritime, highlighted that a large plume
of smoke was initially seen at the ship’s stern coming from the deck loaded
with electric vehicles.
While the crew had initially started the
emergency firefighting procedures with the ship’s onboard fire suppression
system, they were not able to bring the flames under control. The Coast
Guards said that the status of the fire onboard the ship was not known, but the
smoke was still emanating from the Morning Midas.
The search and rescue part of the
response had concluded and now the Coast Guard was working with Zodiac Maritime
to figure out how to recover the ship and what will be done with it.
Kerala govt reveals cargo details of MSC Elsa 3 cargo ship
The Kerala state government has released
a detailed breakdown of the cargo on board the ship that recently sank in the
Arabian Sea off Kerala’s Kochi coast. According to the report, 13 containers
were carrying calcium carbide, a chemical that reacts with water to produce
highly flammable acetylene gas.
Of these, 8 containers were stored in the
ship’s inner compartments, while 5 were kept outside, raising environmental and
safety concerns due to potential water exposure. Additionally, the
government addressed confusion around four containers labelled ‘cash’,
clarifying that they contained cashew nuts, not currency. In total, the cargo
included 46 containers loaded with coconuts and cashews, while 87 containers
were carrying timber.
Kerala government face criticism for slow
investigation into the sinking of a cargo ship off the Kochi coast. The
Director General of Shipping has admitted that the ship sank because of a
mistake with ballast water, which helps keep the ship balanced. The ship filled
this water at Adani’s Vizhinjam port after loading cargo, before setting
sail. It is alleged that the government is taking time to file a case
because it would bring port authorities into investigation.
According to government sources, the lack
of action is due to the accident occurring outside the state’s 12-nautical-mile
jurisdiction. India’s territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles from the
coastline. Beyond that is the contiguous zone (up to 24 NM) and then the
Exclusive Economic Zone (up to 200 NM), which fall under central government
jurisdiction.
This means that the Kerala government is
not legally required to start an investigation. However, since the ship took
ballast water at Vizhinjam, some part of the ship’s voyage and safety checks
fall under state oversight.
It is the people along Kerala coastline
who are prone to the danger of cargo and oil spill risk. Several fishermen have
already said that they are getting a reduced catch and public are hesitant to
buy fish from them fearing pollution.
Delhi
Airport to temporarily close runway 10/28 for upgrade from June 15
Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is set to temporarily shut down Runway 10/28 for 90 days starting June 15, 2025, to upgrade its Instrument Landing System (ILS) to Category III-B standards. This enhancement aims to improve aircraft operations during low-visibility conditions, particularly addressing the challenges posed by heavy fog in Delhi's winter season.
The CAT III-B
system allows aircraft to land in visibility as low as 50 meters, significantly
reducing delays and diversions during adverse weather. Currently, Runway
10/28 has CAT III-B capability on its 28 end (Vasant Vihar side), and this
upgrade will extend the same capability to the 10 end (Dwarka side), ensuring
full CAT III-B compliance across the runway.
Delhi
International Airport Limited (DIAL) CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar stated that the
airport handles approximately 1,450 aircraft movements daily. During the
upgrade, about 114 daily movements will be affected, accounting for roughly 7.5
per cent of total operations. To minimise disruptions, DIAL has
coordinated with airlines to adjust schedules, cancel non-essential flights,
and reschedule others.
The timing of the
closure coincides with the lean travel season and a period when wind patterns
are expected to shift to westerly, potentially easing the strain on the
airport’s remaining runways: 09/27, 11R/29L, and 11L/29R. Runway 09/27,
the oldest and shortest, lacks CAT III capabilities, while 11R/29L and 11L/29R
are equipped for low-visibility operations.
This upgrade is
part of DIAL's broader initiative to enhance the airport's infrastructure and
ensure smoother operations during Delhi's notorious foggy winters.
Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for updates on
flight schedules during this period.
The runway is
expected to reopen with full CAT III-B capabilities by mid-September 2025,
ahead of the winter season.
Pune Airport Sets New Record: Handles 144 Metric Tonnes of Cargo in 24 Hours
This remarkable feat underscores Pune’s rising importance as a logistics
and air cargo hub in western India. According to airport authorities, between 6
a.m. on June 3 and 6 a.m. on June 4, 2025, the airport processed 72.73 metric
tons of inbound cargo and 71.24 metric tons of outbound cargo, marking a new
operational high. The surge is being credited to Pune’s expanding
industrial base and a growing reliance on air freight for faster, more
efficient supply chain solutions.
This achievement reflects the airport’s enhanced cargo handling
infrastructure and strategic efforts to streamline freight operations. With
increasing demand from local businesses and exporters, officials expect this
upward trend to continue, further positioning Pune as a vital link in India’s
air logistics network.
Adding to its recent developments, Pune Airport also inaugurated the
Elysian International Executive Lounge in the international security hold area
of its new Integrated Terminal Building. The lounge was officially opened by
Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State for Civil Aviation and
Cooperation.
Speaking on the occasion, Santosh Dhoke, Director of Pune Airport, said,
“Located in the international security zone, the Elysian Lounge merges comfort
with elegance. With plush seating, a gourmet dining menu, and exclusive
amenities, it offers international travelers an ideal space to relax or work
before departure.”
He added that this new addition complements the airport’s existing
domestic lounge and aligns with the Airports Authority of India’s vision to
establish Pune Airport as a world-class gateway. Serving over 10 million
passengers annually, Pune continues to grow as a major economic and cultural
center, now equipped with upgraded cargo and passenger facilities to match.
India Flags Explosives, Safety Breaches in Turkish Airlines Flights during Surprise Checks
The safety oversight and ramp (SOFA/RAMP) inspections were conducted on
Turkish Airlines’ passenger and cargo flights at Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and
Bengaluru airports between May 29 and June 2, 2025. Highlighting the gravity of
the findings, DGCA confirmed that the airline’s operations in India will remain
under close monitoring, with additional inspections planned as necessary to
uphold safety standards.
Key violations identified during the inspections included the carriage
of dangerous goods, specifically explosives, without mandatory permissions from
the DGCA or appropriate mention in the dangerous goods declaration.
Additionally, procedural lapses in ground operations were observed at multiple
airports.
At Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, the marshaller
responsible for handling ground operations reportedly lacked both proper
authorisation and a valid competency card. Moreover, an Aircraft
Maintenance Engineer (AME) was not available during an aircraft’s arrival, and
a technician conducted arrival procedures instead, despite Airworks being the
airline’s designated engineering service
provider.
The inspections also revealed gaps in operational agreements and ground
handling processes. At Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports, critical equipment
such as ladders, trolleys, and ground power units (GPUs) were not properly
accounted for, and there was no official service level agreement (SLA) in place
between Turkish Airlines and its ground handling agent (GHA). The ground
services at these locations were being managed by Globe Ground India,
reportedly without a formal handover from Celebi, whose security clearance in
India was revoked last month amid rising diplomatic tensions.
The DGCA has reiterated its unwavering commitment to maintaining
stringent safety and regulatory standards for all foreign carriers operating
within Indian airspace. Turkish Airlines has been directed to rectify these
issues immediately and align its operations with International Civil Aviation
Organisation (ICAO) standards and DGCA regulations. The aviation authority
confirmed that follow-up inspections will be conducted to ensure continued
compliance.
It’s important to note that these checks were carried out solely on
Turkish Airlines aircraft and not on the two Boeing 777 aircraft wet-leased by
IndiGo from the Turkish carrier. Both Turkish Airlines and IndiGo
currently operate daily flights between Delhi and Istanbul and Mumbai and
Istanbul.
This regulatory crackdown comes against a backdrop of diplomatic strain
between India and Turkey. Following Turkey’s overt support to Pakistan during
Operation Sindoor and the alleged deployment of Turkish drones by Pakistan,
India has been reviewing its aviation and business ties with Turkey.
As part of this realignment, the DGCA recently instructed IndiGo to
terminate its wet lease agreement with Turkish Airlines by August 31, 2025,
granting a final three-month extension upon receiving an undertaking from
IndiGo that no further extensions would be sought.
The aviation ministry has made it clear that ensuring passenger and
airspace safety remains its highest priority and has warned that any
non-compliance will result in strict regulatory action.
Mumbai airport to allow freighter operations beyond August deadline
In a major development, Chhatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai has reversed its earlier
decision to suspend freighter operations starting 16 August 2025 until further
notice.
The airport, in a statement to The STAT Trade
Times, said, “The matter has been solved amicably and the slots have been
reinstated.” Notably, this development was also referenced by Amitabh Khosla,
Country Director, India, Nepal, and Bhutan, International Air Transport
Association (IATA), during a media briefing on the Indian aviation market on
the first day of the 81st IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in New Delhi.
He said, “We commend MIAL (Mumbai
International Airport Limited) for continuing to respect airline historics at
the airport, as well as for accepting cargo operations beyond the August (16
August 2025) deadline that was initially announced.
We also commend MIAL for setting up the first
such coordination committee for Mumbai Airport. This was particularly important
to manage issues arising from the temporary closure of Terminal 1.”
Notably, tensions arose between IATA and
Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) following this announcement. IATA
had earlier expressed surprise and deep disappointment over MIAL’s unilateral
decision to cease freighter flights. IATA had immediately called for the
formation of a coordination committee at Mumbai Airport to facilitate
consultations and establish transparent communication between the airport and
airlines.
In a later statement, MIAL had also responded
to IATA’s allegations by expressing strong disappointment over the criticism.
Adani Airport Holding Limited (AAHL) had informed cargo partners about shifting
freighter operations to Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), with services
set to start on 16 August 2025, the same day operations at Mumbai’s CSMIA were
scheduled to end.
Navi Mumbai International Airport has secured
agreements with two Indian carriers, IndiGo and Akasa Air, to begin operations.
However, no dedicated cargo airline has committed to the airport so far. During
the media briefing, Khosla also raised two key concerns regarding recent
regulatory developments.
First, he noted a request from the Mumbai
airport operator to combine the tariff determination for both Mumbai and Navi
Mumbai airports. However, he said both IATA and the airlines oppose this
approach, arguing that each airport should be assessed independently under the
governing legislation.
Second, he referred to a proposal by some
airport operators, shared in some forums, to extend the current regulatory
control period from five to ten years. Khosla stressed that such an extension
would not align with the new consumer interest framework.
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, Cargo Forwarder Global & Air Cargo News.
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