JUPITER SEA & AIR
SERVICES PVT. LTD, EGMORE – CHENNAI, INDIA.
E-MAIL : Robert.sands@jupiterseaair.co.in Mobile : +91 98407 85202
Corporate News
Letter for Thursday - July 03, 2025
Today’s
Exchange Rates
|
CURRENCY |
PRICE |
CHANGE |
%CHANGE |
OPEN |
PREV.CLOSE |
DAY's LOW-HIGH |
|
85.7 |
0.169998 |
0.198759 |
85.58 |
85.53 |
85.57- 85.76 |
|
|
1.1774 |
-0.0032 |
-0.271053 |
1.1806 |
1.1806 |
1.1747- 1.181 |
|
|
117.3439 |
-0.478897 |
-0.406455 |
117.6563 |
117.8228 |
117.3173- 117.8093 |
|
|
100.8782 |
-0.1698 |
-0.168039 |
101.009 |
101.048 |
100.8557- 101.1287 |
|
|
143.728 |
0.307999 |
0.214753 |
143.42 |
143.42 |
143.323- 144.244 |
|
|
1.3608 |
-0.0138 |
-1.00393 |
1.3745 |
1.3746 |
1.3589- 1.3753 |
|
|
96.938 |
0.119003 |
0.122913 |
96.637 |
96.819 |
96.621- 96.976 |
|
|
0.5947 |
-0.0029 |
-0.485275 |
0.5963 |
0.5976 |
0.5942- 0.5969 |
/// Sea Cargo News ///
Compliance
Update: New Regulations for Battery Shipping
We've identified significant new
developments concerning the freight of goods containing lithium-ion batteries,
which are impacting shipping protocols and lead times worldwide. Please read
the essential details below to understand how these changes may affect your
upcoming cargo.
There's a significant development
impacting the global shipment of goods containing lithium or li-ion batteries.
Due to recent fire incidents during transit, the global shipping industry is
implementing stricter protocols and requiring more rigorous documentation for
battery cargo by sea. This directly affects supply chains worldwide, and we
want to ensure you are fully informed.
Heightened Scrutiny on Battery Exports
Carriers are responding to growing safety
concerns by tightening regulations around the safe transport of batteries,
particularly lithium and lithium-ion cells and products containing them. This
shift is designed to enhance safety for all cargo and personnel on board
vessels.
What Does This Mean for Your Shipments?
If your cargo includes items with
built-in batteries (e.g., electronics, power tools, e-bikes), or standalone
batteries, you'll notice some key changes:
Mandatory
Documentation: For every battery shipment,
shippers must now provide a complete and valid set of documents. These are
crucial for us to apply with carriers for booking approval:
Material
Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): Detailing
the battery's properties and safe handling.
UN38.3
Test Report: Evidence that the battery has
passed critical safety tests under UN guidelines.
Certificate
of Safe Transport by Sea: An
official certification from an authorised laboratory or institution confirming
the battery's suitability for maritime transport.
Carrier-Specific
Requirements & Approved Labs: Major
carriers are increasingly implementing their own specific requirements. For
example, a prominent carrier recently announced that they will only accept the
"Certificate of Safe Transport by Sea" if it is issued by one of a
select few authorised laboratories. This highlights the importance of working
with suppliers and manufacturers who can provide documentation from these
approved sources.
Extended
Booking & Transit Times: The
increased vetting process for battery shipments means that confirming bookings
is now taking longer – typically 3-5 working days for most carriers. This
directly impacts lead times, requiring an additional week or more in your
overall shipping schedule for battery-containing goods. We strongly advise
planning your shipments with this extended timeframe in mind.
Challenges
for LCL (Less Than Container Load) Shipments: Smaller, consolidated battery shipments (LCL) are facing
more frequent rejections from co-loaders. We are actively developing
alternative solutions, including leveraging our own consolidation services
where feasible, to mitigate these challenges.
Increased
Shipper Responsibility: Carriers are
explicitly reiterating that the shipper bears significant responsibility for
battery cargo, including the potential consequences of fire or explosion. This
underscores the critical importance of accurate documentation, proper packaging,
and adherence to all safety regulations. At Woodland Group, we prioritise
compliance and will work closely with you to ensure your shipments meet all
necessary standards.
We are at the forefront of these evolving
regulations. Our expert teams are continuously monitoring carrier policies
and regulatory changes. Our priority is to provide clear guidance on required
documentation and planning, proactively identifying and implementing
alternative routing and carrier options whenever necessary, all to minimise
disruptions and keep your supply chain moving efficiently.
What You Can Do:
To ensure smooth and timely processing of
your battery shipments:
Communicate Early: Inform us or contact
as soon as possible if your shipment contains batteries.
Provide Complete Documentation: Ensure
all required MSDS, UN38.3 Test Reports, and Certificates of Safe Transport by
Sea are readily available and valid, ideally from universally accepted or
carrier-specific approved labs.
Plan Ahead: Factor in the extended
booking and transit times when scheduling your orders.
Please reach out to us for specific guidance on your upcoming battery
shipments.
After rare earth magnets, China now curbs fertiliser exports to India
India’s agriculture sector may be staring
at another supply-side disruption, as China tightens its control over specialty
fertiliser exports, industry officials say.
“Of the total 6 lakh tonnes of
non-subsidised specialty fertilisers imported into India annually,
approximately 80% originates directly or indirectly from China,” said Rajib
Chakraborty, National President of the Soluble Fertiliser Industry Association.
Domestic production accounts for just 10%, with the remaining sourced from
other countries, he added.
The immediate concern stems from China’s
Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine process, which is a mandatory
certification for all exports. “Manufacturers must obtain a CIQ certificate,
which is often both country- and customer-specific. Any delay or non-issuance
of CIQ certificates can restrict or halt exports,” Chakraborty noted.
Over the past 4 years, China has intermittently
imposed restrictions on fertilizer exports, including speciality fertilizers,
he said. These curbs primarily work through delays or withholding of CIQ
clearances. “While earlier disruptions were short term, the current halt is
more stringent and appears to reflect a deeper, more sustained export control
strategy since 2021,” he added.
India’s dependence on Chinese inputs for
high-value horticulture and precision farming makes this disruption
particularly concerning. The industry is now calling for greater domestic
production capacity and diversification of import sources to shield the sector
from such external shocks.
Wan Hai Lines launches new Vietnam–Thailand–India direct service
Wan Hai Lines has officially
launched its new Tamil Nadu–Thailand Express (TTX) service, introducing a
direct shipping route linking Vietnam, Thailand, and India amid surging
bilateral trade volumes across the region.
The service made its first calls at
Chennai and Visakhapatnam on May 5 and 6, respectively, marked by an inaugural
ceremony attended by Wan Hai representatives and local terminal
partners. The new TTX service operates on a 28-day fixed rotation using
four 2,200 TEU vessels, offering shippers a more reliable and efficient
solution for cross-regional cargo movement.
The maiden voyage was performed by WAN
HAI 317, which departed Cai Lai Port in Vietnam on April 20. The full port
rotation includes: Cai Lai – Laem Chabang – Singapore – Port Klang (North) –
Chennai – Visakha patnam – Port Klang (North) – Singapore – Cai Lai.
Android smartphone makers step up exports from India to US; move due to Trump’s tariff policies
It seems that Donald Trump
administration’s tariff policies are promoting not just Apple but other global
smartphone makers as well to export from India to the US. Android phone exports
from India to the US are experiencing substantial growth, alongside Apple's
iPhones, influenced by both US tariff regulations and India's initiatives to
boost exports.
In the Indian smartphone manufacturing
sector, whilst Samsung and Motorola have enhanced their export operations to
the United States and other international markets, Apple maintains its position
as the dominant smartphone exporter, particularly in shipments to the US market
from India.
Data from market research firm Canalys report shows that Motorola, owned by Lenovo, exported 1.6 million Android smartphones from India during the initial five months of 2025, with the US receiving 99% of these shipments. This marks an increase from 1 million units in 2024.
Global shipping giants challenge
Brazil's competition rules for major port auction
Global shipping groups are looking to
Brazil's courts to overturn competition rules that bar them from participating
in the first round of bidding on a major new container terminal at Latin
America's largest port, due to take place later this year.
Danish shipping group Maersk filed a
lawsuit on Monday in Sao Paulo against Brazil's marine transport authority
(Antaq), and its general director, according to a document seen by Reuters. The
lawsuit called for "procedural corrections to ensure a fair process"
to assign the Tecon 10 terminal at the Port of Santos.
The bidding rules, defined by Antaq, are
under review by Brazil's federal audit court (TCU). The privately held MSC
Group is also hoping for a change in the rules. Patricio Junior, regional
investment director at MSC's subsidiary Terminal Investment Limited, said TIL
is considering a lawsuit if the TCU does not impose changes to the process.
The auction rules would bar Maersk, MSC and other operators of existing container terminals at Santos from first round of bidding to build and run the new mega terminal, expected to require USD 1 Billion of investment.
Shipping giants continue Strait of Hormuz transits
Major global shipping lines including Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, and CMA CGM confirmed that their vessels continue to operate through the Strait of Hormuz, even as geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel simmered ahead of a ceasefire announcement.
On Monday evening, U.S. President Donald
Trump announced that Iran and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire, brokered by
Qatar. The de-escalation comes after weeks of heightened tension, during which
Iran threatened to shut down the vital waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the
Arabian Sea.
Maritime authorities also reported
concerns over widespread GPS jamming and spoofing in the region, raising
navigational safety issues.
Maersk, in a customer advisory, stated,
“At the moment, we continue to deem sailing through the Strait of Hormuz
possible, but we monitor the situation closely and have contingency plans in
place should the situation change.”
Hapag Lloyd’s partner in the Gemini
Cooperation alliance, echoed a similar stance in a separate advisory dated June
30:”At present, our vessels continue to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
The safety and well being of our crews
and ships remain our highest priority. We are actively evaluating potential
risks and stand ready to adjust our operations should conditions change”.
CMA CGM, the world’s third largest
container line, confirmed on June 29 that it had activated a dedicated monitoring
cell for the region.
“At this stage, we confirm that shipping
activities are proceeding as normal in the area and that our operations and logistics
chain remain unchanged”, the company said.
Despite the ongoing volatility in the
region, the continued operation of key shipping lanes highlights the industry’s
reliance on real time risk assessment and contingency planning to maintain
global trade flows.
Cosco Shanghai joins CMA CGM’s Transatlantic service
CMA CGM has announced that the Cosco
Shanghai vessel will be phased into its AMERIGO service. According to the
carrier, the vessel will enter rotation at Salerno on voyage 0MRJ3W1MA, with
the full AMERIGO service loop covering: Salerno – La Spezia – Genoa – Vado
Ligure – Valencia – Algeciras – New York – Norfolk – Savannah – Miami.
The company noted that the phase-in “will
support network stability and ensure continued service efficiency across
the Transatlantic trade,” adding that there will be no changes to current
scheduling or cargo cut-off times. The vessel is expected to arrive at its
first port of call on 4 August.
In May, CMA CGM and Saigon
Newport Corporation (SNP) entered a partnership to develop a new
deep-water terminal in Haiphong, northern Vietnam. That same
month, CMA CGM announced the launch of Vietnam’s first fully
electric container barge.
Tata Sons, S'pore Airlines invested
₹9,558 cr in Air India in 2024-25
Tata Sons
and Singapore Airlines invested ₹9,558 crore in loss-making Air India in
2024-25, with the promoters pumping in ₹4,306 crore alone in March this
year. The airline, being piloted by Tatas since January 2022, has embarked
on an ambitious five-year transformation plan.
In
November 2024, Vistara - a joint venture between Tatas and Singapore Airlines -
was merged with Air India, following which the Singaporean carrier acquired a
25.1% stake in Air India.
In
response to queries about fundraising, an Air India spokesperson said that its
shareholders have together infused fresh capital of more than ₹9,500 crore in
2024-25 to meet the airline's capital expenditure requirements.
Tata
Sons invested ₹3,224.82 crore, and Singapore Airlines put in ₹6,333.18 crore in
Air India, taking the total fund infusion to ₹Rs 9,558 crore in the financial
year ended March 2025.
“Pursuant
to the merger of Vistara with Air India in November 2024, the shareholders have
together infused fresh capital of over Rs. 9,500 Crore in the first fiscal year
2024-25. The said infusion is to meet the company’s requirement towards capital
expenditure, working capital and growth initiatives”, the Air India spokesperson
said in a statement.
In March
this year, Tata Sons pumped in Rs. 3,224.82 Crore and Singapore Airlines
invested Rs. 1,080.68 Crores in Air India, according to regulatory filings
accessed by business intelligence platform Tofler.
China-US e-commerce airfreight drops steeply in May
The US
removal of the de minimis exemption for packages from China in May resulted in
a 43% decline in e-commerce shipments from China to the US. Figures from
Aevean highlight how e-commerce platforms switched their shipments by air from
the US to other markets to take the sting out of the fall to the US.
The
figures from Aevan show that e-commerce volumes transported by air from China
to the US fell 43% month on month from 109,325 tonnes in April to 62,658 tonnes
in May.
However,
overall e-commerce volumes transported out of China by air were down by a lower
amount of 3% to just over 400,000 tonnes, demonstrating how the platforms have
switched their focus to other locations.
Aevean
head of consulting Maarten Wormer described the drop in volumes to the US as
“steep” and said it followed the US decision to terminate the de minimis
exemption that allowed packages worth less than $800 to enter duty-free and
with minimal customs scrutiny.
Air One coordinates outsize cargo
shipment
Air One
has managed the delivery of 12-metre furnace coil boxes from Liège to Abu Dhabi
through its affiliated British cargo airline, One Air. The
flight, on behalf Deugro Abu Dhabi, required a total of eight
12-metre boxes to be loaded through the nose door of a 747-400 freighter from
One Air's fleet.
The
total weight of the oversized shipment was 57 tonnes. Air One, which
oversees a network of cargo airlines and aviation services, markets a fleet of
11 Boeing 747-400Fs for three airline partners. This includes two nose-loading
versions of the cargo aircraft.
“The
arrival of a second nose-loading 747-400 into our managed fleet at the end of
2024 increased our ability to transport out-of-gauge shipments like these for
our customer, Deugro," said Saeed Ghodrat, senior charter manager at
Air One.
“Given
our extensive knowledge of the 747-400’s cargo carrying capabilities and our
ability to coordinate loading and unloading at departure and arriving airports,
we can respond to the need for fast charter services for out of gauge shipments
as well supporting flying programmes for projects which require a combination
of general and outsize freighter capacity”.
Cargolux refutes Iranian airspace
claims made on social media
Freighter operator Cargolux has dismissed social media statements alleging that its aircraft have used Iranian airspace. The denial comes after images were posted on social media of flight tracking website FlightRadar24 screenshots purporting to show Cargolux aircraft over Iran.
However,
the Luxembourg-based airline said in a statement on its LinkedIn profile that
none of its flights utilise Iranian airspace and blamed incorrect data being
shown on the app.
"Cargolux
would like to categorically state that none of its flights utilise Iranian
airspace,” the airline said in a statement.
"Cargolux
operates with state-of-the-art technology systems, similar to those used by all
major airlines, ensuring that we know the exact position of our aircraft at all
times. "Our flight tracking systems provide real-time data, which confirms
that no flight entered Iranian airspace.
mas to begin Mexico-San José flights
Mexican
cargo carrier mas plans to operate weekly flights from Mexico City (NLU) to San
José in Costa Rica (SJO). The airline indicated the service will benefit
shippers and forwarders in the US and Mexico primarily, as well as further
afield.
"To
enhance our operations, as of July 3, 2025, we will return with a weekly
frequency connecting Mexico City (NLU) with San José, Costa Rica (SJO),"
said the airline in a LinkedIn post on 25 June.
"This
service, operated on every Thursday departing NLU 17hr50 LT with an A330
freighter, aims to offer opportunities to our customer base in the USA, Mexico
as well as to our interline partners in Europe and Asia.”
Data
from Planespotters shows that mas currently has two Airbus A330-200 passenger
to freighter (P2F) aircraft, and two Airbus A330-300P2Fs, although one of these
is operated by Galistair Malta.
Back in
2022, the airline had ambitious plans for expansion and hoped to grow its fleet
to nine freighters by the end of that year and eventually reach a fleet of 18
cargo aircraft.
The
airlines was once part of the LATAM Group but the company sold its stake in
2018. Discovery Americas is the majority shareholder of mas.
Bridges Air Cargo to be first E190
freighter operator
Bridges Air Cargo has been announced as the first operator of Embraer’s E190F converted aircraft.
The
aircraft, which is being marketed as the E-Freighter, is owned by US lessor
Regional One and is due to start operations for Bridges Air Cargo in the third
quarter of the year.
Bridges Air Cargo offers logistics solutions for the express and courier industry. Its customers include FedEx, DHL and UPS.
Embraer
E190FGuy
Bridges, managing director of Bridges Air Cargo, said: "It’s fitting that
Bridges becomes the launch customer for the E-Freighter as we celebrate 35
years of operations and over a billion kilograms moved for the express market.
"The
aircraft’s size fills a unique and underserved space in the cargo segment. It
strengthens our operational capability and paves the way for the development of
promising new routes. We are excited to partner with Embraer and Regional One
on what we see as a pivotal advancement for regional air cargo.”
The
E-Jet freighter programme has been created in response to e-commerce growth and
increased demand for regional cargo capacity, especially to smaller markets.
If
combining capacity under the floor and maindeck, the maximum structural payload
is 13.5 tonnes for the E190F and 14.3 tonnes for the E195F, meaning it sits
between the larger turboprops, which can carry around 10 tonnes, and the
smaller narrowbody freighters with a capacity of around 20 tonnes.
Regional
One president Hank Gibson added: "Together with Embraer and our valued
partners, we are setting a new benchmark for regional cargo transport -
transforming one of the world’s most efficient regional jets into the
next-generation freighter.
"Today,
we’re delighted to welcome Bridges Air Cargo as our newest partner in this
transformative journey, reinforcing our shared vision for the future of
regional logistics."
Embraer
said the jet was developed to fill a gap in the air cargo market and to replace
older, less efficient models.
"E-Jets
converted to freighters will have over 40% more volume capacity, three times
the range of large cargo turboprops, and up to 30% lower operating costs than
larger narrowbodies," the company said.
Earlier
this year, Embraer confirmed its E190 converted freighter has been fully certified by
the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) after the
agency published the type certificate document late last year.
The US
Federal Aviation Administration and the National Civil Aviation Agency of
Brazil have also certified the freighter.
FedEx begins first direct
South Korea-Taiwan flights
Photo:
FedExFedEx
has launched its first direct flight between South Korea and Taiwan to support
air cargo demand for electronics, semiconductors, and e-commerce.
This new
flight route, which operates seven days a week, connects South Korea via the
FedEx Incheon Gateway at Incheon International Airport with Taiwan via the
FedEx Taipei Gateway at Taoyuan International Airport.
The new
route boosts operational efficiency for exporters and importers between the two
markets, a critical trade lane for high-tech industries.
“The new
direct flight underscores our commitment to our customers by supporting the
growing exchange between South Korea and Taiwan, especially in electronics,
semiconductors, and e-commerce fueled by K-culture goods," said Wonbin
Park, managing director of FedEx Korea.
“Capacity,
flexibility and reliability are crucial for building resilient, competitive
supply chains. With the new route, we are empowering our customers with a
stronger foundation for cross-border business growth opportunities within the
Asia Pacific.”
FedEx
said customers in South Korea will benefit from extended call-in cut-off and
gateway drop-off times by up to 3.5 hours for airfreight shipments
using FedEx International Priority Freight and FedEx
International Priority Economy.
Trade
between South Korea and Taiwan has remained robust, particularly in the
semiconductor industry amid the global surge in artificial intelligence (AI)
development, with South Korea currently Taiwan’s fifth largest export market
and fourth largest import source, noted FedEx.
As key
players in the semiconductor sector, both countries are intensifying their AI
supply chain collaboration. According to South Korea's Ministry of Trade,
Industry and Energy (MOTIE), the country's semiconductor exports reached a
record $141.9bn in 2024.
From
January to November 2024, the share of chip exports to Taiwan rose
significantly from 6.4% in 2020 to 14.5%.
Amid the
boom of the semiconductor industry, FedEx expects the new flight route to
further strengthen connectivity and operational efficiency for manufacturers,
particularly in the high-tech sectors.
This new
flight route is part of FedEx's on-going efforts to strengthen its global air
network. In April 2025, FedEx launched
its first direct flight from Singapore to Anchorage, US,
strengthening connectivity between Southeast Asia and major US markets.
Last
month, FedEx Express celebrated the 40th anniversary of its inaugural scheduled
transatlantic service.
AAI inspects new locations
to build 2nd greenfield airport at BLR
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) team is reportedly inspecting three locations on Kanakapura Road for building second greenfield airport in Bengaluru. AAI team is expected to submit a feasibility report within a month, according to Infrastructure Development Minister M.B. Patil.
As per
the reports, “Patil said that the AAI team inspected the locations, of which
two were on Kanakapura Road and one on the Nelamangala-Kunigal Road.
After
receiving feedback from the AAI team, he said a feasibility report would be
prepared followed by a detailed study which would be under taken by expert
consultants specialising in airport infrastructure development.”
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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