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 August 29, 2025
Today’s Exchange Rates
|
CURRENCY▲ |
PRICE |
CHANGE |
%CHANGE |
OPEN |
PREV.CLOSE |
DAY's LOW-HIGH |
|
87.62 |
-0.07 |
0.079826 |
87.52 |
87.69 |
87.5175- 87.6875 |
|
|
1.1672 |
0.0033 |
0.283525 |
1.1639 |
1.1639 |
1.1629- 1.1687 |
|
|
118.3207 |
0.4589 |
0.389355 |
118.2735 |
117.8618 |
118.1296- 118.427 |
|
|
102.0788 |
0.013802 |
0.013519 |
101.9462 |
102.0926 |
101.8773- 102.1808 |
|
|
147.02 |
0.399994 |
0.271329 |
147.42 |
147.42 |
146.81- 147.489 |
|
|
1.3509 |
0.0011 |
0.081498 |
1.3498 |
1.3498 |
1.3483- 1.3527 |
|
|
98.041 |
0.191002 |
-0.19444 |
98.121 |
98.232 |
98.036- 98.227 |
|
|
0.5958 |
0.0005 |
0.083985 |
0.5952 |
0.5953 |
0.5944- 0.5962 |
/// Sea Cargo News ///
MSC’s
legal troubles mount in India after Cochin ship capsize
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the
world’s largest container carrier, is facing mounting legal challenges in India
following the capsizing of its vessel MSC Elsa 3 off Cochin Port on May
25. The MSC Elsa 3, carrying 643 containers — including 13 boxes
reportedly loaded with hazardous and dangerous goods — suffered a total loss
after what preliminary findings suggest were mechanical problems.
The incident has since unleashed a storm of litigation, with a growing number of individual shippers and government agencies filing claims for cargo losses and damages.
According to shipping and legal sources,
Indian courts have already issued arrest orders against at least five
MSC-operated vessels — MSC Manasa F, MSC Polo II, MSC Akiteta II, MSC Palermo,
and MSC … (name withheld) — as part of efforts to secure compensation.
These vessel arrests are seen as a strong move by Indian authorities and claimants to ensure accountability and safeguard their interests in what is emerging as a complex and high stakes legal battle.
Haldia dock complex to launch direct container vessel service to Chittagong
Haldia Dock Complex (HDC) is set to open
a new chapter in regional trade with the launch of a direct container vessel
service to Chittagong, a long-awaited demand of the EXIM trade community. CJ
DARCL, represented in India by Everett India Pvt Ltd, will operate the service,
with the maiden vessel scheduled to call at HDC on August 30, 2025.
The new route is expected to
significantly enhance trade efficiency by offering seamless connectivity,
faster turnaround, and greater opportunities for bilateral trade between India
and Bangladesh.
Officials at HDC have urged the EXIM
community to extend their support and ensure the success of this strategic
service, which is poised to boost the competitiveness of regional logistics.
Contecon Manzanillo welcomes WAN HAI
lines’ Asia–South America service
Contecon Manzanillo, International Container Terminal Services, Inc.’s (ICTSI) operation at the Port of Manzanillo, has strengthened its logistics network with the addition of WAN HAI Lines’ Asia–South America West Coast 2 (WSA2) service. The service made its inaugural call at the terminal on August 11 with the arrival of the vessel WAN HAI A16.
Also known as the Asia–South America
(ASA) service, WSA2 is jointly operated by Pacific International Lines,
Evergreen Marine Corp., and COSCO Shipping Lines with 11 vessels in rotation.
The weekly service connects key Asian
ports—Kaohsiung, Shekou, Hong Kong, Ningbo, and Shanghai—with major hubs along
the west coast of Latin America, including Manzanillo, Lázaro Cárdenas, Puerto
Quetzal, Buenaventura, Callao, and Guayaquil, before returning to
Kaohsiung.
“The arrival of the WSA2 service to our
terminal is another milestone in our expansion strategy and consolidation as a
key logistics hub for international trade. This project is part of the terminal’s
growth which began at the end of 2022, with the clear goal of completion in
2026”, said Jose Antonio Contreas, CEO of Contecon Manzanillo.
The WSA2 service has been present at the
Port of Manzanillo for nearly two decades but has now shifted to Contecon
following the terminal’s recent capacity upgrades, including the installation
of the largest ship-to-shore cranes in Latin America. These advancements,
coupled with cutting edge technology, allow Contecon to efficiently handle the
latest generation of vessels.
With Contecon’s modern port infrastructure,
the WSA2 service provides on Latin America’s west coast with direct access to
major Asian Markets, optimizing transit times and lowering operating costs. The
move also enhances the competitiveness of the Port while offering new
opportunities for Mexico’s foreign trade.
Hong Kong Port сontainer throughput falls 6.5%
Hong Kong port handled 1.079 million
twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in July 2025, down 6.5% from 1.154 million
TEUs in the same month last year, according to preliminary figures released by
the Census and Statistics Department based on data from container terminal
operators.
Throughput at Kwai Tsing Container
Terminals reached 819,000 TEUs in July, a decrease of 2.9% compared with
844,000 TEUs in July 2024. Container volumes outside Kwai Tsing fell by
16.3% to 260,000 TEUs, down from 311,000 TEUs a year earlier.
For the first seven months of 2025,
cumulative container throughput at Hong Kong port totaled 7.631 million TEUs,
representing a 3.7% decline from the 7.931 million TEUs handled in the same
period of 2024. Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department is a government
department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region responsible for
collecting, analysing and publishing statistical information on the territory’s
economic and social conditions.
Hong Kong Maritime and Port Development Board
is a statutory body under the Hong Kong Government that oversees port and
maritime development, policy coordination and promotion of Hong Kong as an
international maritime center.
Kwai Tsing Container Terminal is a major
container port facility in Hong Kong comprising multiple terminals operated by
private companies under government lease and serving as the city’s principal
hub for containerised cargo handling.
HMM, Yang Ming, ONE revamp MD2 and GS2/KMP services
Hyundai Merchant
Marine (HMM), Yang Ming Marine Transport, and Ocean Network
Express (ONE) have announced a coordinated restructuring of their
Asia–Mediterranean, Transpacific, and Middle East services. The
current MS2/MP2 service will split.
The Asia–Mediterranean leg will run
independently as Mediterranean 2 (MD2). The Transpacific and Middle
East segments will merge and relaunch as Gulf Pacific South 2 (GS2) or Korea
Middle East – Pacific South (KMP).
The MD2 service will follow a consistent
rotation across all three carriers: Pusan – Shanghai – Ningbo – Kaohsiung –
Shekou – Singapore – Cape of Good Hope – Tangier – Valencia – Barcelona – Genoa
– Fos – Cape of Good Hope – Singapore – Pusan. The first sailing is
scheduled for 7 September 2025 with the Hyundai Neptune (V.040W)
departing Pusan.
Westbound, the service covers West
Mediterranean ports in Spain, Italy, France and Morocco. Tangier serves as a
trans-shipment hub for North Africa.
Eastbound, it offers express connections from the West Mediterranean to Pusan, Central China, Southeast Asia covering Singapore, Laem Chabang and Cai Pep. The GS2/KMP service connects the Middle East, South East Asia and North Asia to the US West Coast. It operates through 2 integrated rotations.
Envirotainer invests in Swiss Airtainer
Photo:
Swiss AirtainerPharma ULD
firm Envirotainer has invested in Swiss Airtainer, a provider of
sustainable temperature-controlled air cargo containers, in an effort to
accelerate pharmaceutical cold chain technology and services development.
The
partnership grants Envirotainer exclusive global rights to offer the Swiss
Airtainer container as part of its full product portfolio, said Airtainer in a
press release.
Swiss
Airtainer did not disclose the financial investment amount, but said it would
focus on scaling up its production capabilities and accelerating its ongoing
research and development efforts.
The
company's IoT (Internet of Things) enabled lightweight containers are
designed to ensure the safe and efficient transport of temperature-sensitive
goods, including vaccines, pharmaceuticals and other perishable high-value
items.
As the
pharmaceutical industry faces growing pressure to reduce its environmental
footprint, Envirotainer continues to focus on technologies that deliver both
reliability and climate impact reduction.
The Swiss
Airtainer RKN container is equipped with solar panels for self-sustaining
energy and real-time communications to optimise logistics and reduce emissions,
said Swiss Airtainer.
Its design
complements Envirotainer's sustainability-focused portfolio, including the
recently launched flagship Releye family.
Last
year, Envirotainer set targets to cut its supply chain emissions and
submitted these to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for validation.
“Swiss
Airtainer’s technology enables significant CO₂ reductions and strengthens our
commitment to sustainable innovation," said Niklas Adamsson, interim chief
executive of Envirotainer. "Our mission has always been to ensure safe and
reliable delivery of critical medicines while minimising environmental impact”
Swiss
Airtainer chief executive Eduard Seligman added: "We are
proud to join forces with Envirotainer, a company that shares our vision for a
more sustainable future. This partnership will accelerate the development and
global adoption of smart, low-impact cold chain solutions."
Air cargo demand from APAC to the US picks up
Image
source: ShutterstockVolumes
between Asia Pacific and the US showed signs of life in recent weeks, while
from Europe, figures have weakened, potentially a sign of volumes rebalancing
as a result of the US finalising more tariff arrangements.
Figures
from WorldACD show that chargeable weight between China and the US increased by
1% in the week ending August 10 (week 32), following flat figures in week 31
and a 5% increase in week 30.
In
addition, demand from China to the US increased by 5% year on year in week 32 -
the first increase compared with last year since mid-April.
In
contrast, export tonnage from Asia Pacific to Europe has now declined for four
weeks in a row, led by declines from China, South Korea and Indonesia.
“The
opposing developments on sectors to Europe and North America suggest a
potential rebalancing of Chinese airfreight exports and a re-engagement with
the US as more tariffs are finalised,” WorldACD said.
While volumes between Asia Pacific and Europe have been trending downwards in recent weeks, they are up 7% year on year, driven by gains of 29% from Vietnam, 21% from Hong Kong and 8% from China.
WorldACD
On the
spot rate front, pricing from Asia Pacific to the US rose 2% week on week but
remains 14% down compared with a year ago.
”Rates
from Taiwan to the US jumped 9% week on week but dropped 5% out of South Korea
and 2% each from Japan, Vietnam and Singapore,” WorldACD said.
From
China, rates to the US are down 11% compared with last year, but have improved
5% week on week.
”South
Korea’s 5% drop in pricing followed a slump of 10% the previous week, which
erased previous year-on-year gains,” the data provider added. ”Taiwan is the
only market in the region to show higher rates (9%) to the US on a year-on-year
basis. Declines range from 8% in prices out of Thailand to 29% out of Vietnam.”
Meanwhile,
spot rates from Asia Pacific to Europe ”showed less turbulence”, being stable
versus last week and down 3% year on year.
”Week on
week declines out of China (-3%), Hong Kong and Singapore (-2% each), South
Korea, Taiwan and Thailand (all -1%) were compensated by increases from Vietnam
(+4%), Japan, Malaysia and Indonesia (all +3%).
Air Canada strike ends but
normal cargo operations will take time
Photo: Air
CanadaAir Canada
said it would gradually restart its operations today after a strike, which put
around 75% or more of air cargo volumes at risk of disruption and delays,
was brought to an end.
The
airline's operations have been grounded since 16 August, but in a press release
this morning Air Canada said it would restart operations after reaching
a mediated agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE),
which represents 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge.
Mediation
discussions were begun on the basis that the union commit to have the airline’s
10,000 flight attendants immediately return to work, said Air Canada in a press
release.
The
airline did not comment specifically on plans to reinstate cargo operations or
how delayed cargo shipments would be managed, however, Michael Rousseau,
president and chief executive of Air Canada, said that it may take more than a
week for operations to return to normal.
Air Cargo
News has requested more information on the
impact to cargo operations.
Rousseau said:
“The suspension of our service is extremely difficult for our customers. We
deeply regret and apologise for the impact on them of this labour disruption.
Our priority now is to get them moving as quickly as possible.
"Restarting
a major carrier like Air Canada is a complex undertaking. Full restoration may
require a week or more, so we ask for our customers’ patience and understanding
over the coming days. I assure them that everyone at Air Canada is doing everything
possible to enable them to travel soon."
The first
flights are scheduled for the evening of 19 August, but the airline’s return to
full, regular service may take seven to ten days as aircraft and crew are out
of position.
During
this process, some flights will be cancelled over the next seven to ten days
until the schedule is stabilised, stated Air Canada.
During any
ratification or under the binding arbitration process, a strike or lockout is
not possible.
Air Canada
Cargo previously put a modified freighter schedule in place to protect up to 25% of volumes, meaning 75% or more of cargo
volumes were at risk of disruption and delays.
The
business also temporarily put new bookings for speciality commodities on hold and
stated that any existing bookings may be delayed or cancelled. According to data from Planespotters, Air
Canada has six 767-300 passenger to freighter (P2F) aircraft in addition to 200
passenger aircraft.
US AfA says shippers will face higher transport costs
Brandon
FriedUS
shippers are facing higher supply chain costs as transportation providers
reduce their service offerings in the face of shifting trade policies,
according to the Airforwarders Association (AfA).
AfA
executive director Brandon Fried said that shippers are having to switch to
more expensive transport options as a result of route changes as transport
companies respond to evolving trade policy.
These
higher costs will ultimately flow through to consumers in the US, Fried said.
“While the
pandemic taught us the importance of supply chain agility, the current
environment of shifting trade policies, tariffs, and regulatory changes has
left shippers with fewer choices for moving goods,” said Fried.
“When
carriers or routes are no longer viable, shippers must pivot quickly, often to
more expensive alternatives. “Airfreight
continues to offer flexibility in times of disruption, but the broader freight
network is showing signs of strain.”
Fried
pointed to statistics from the US Department of Transportation that showed a
0.5% year-on-year decline driven by reductions in rail intermodal, rail
carload, and trucking volumes.
Meanwhile,
airfreight registered a “modest increase”.
“Our members remain committed to finding solutions that keep goods
moving efficiently, even in a marketplace with fewer and more expensive
transportation options,” concluded Fried.
In a recent column for Air Cargo News, Fried
outlined the challenges faced by air cargo as a result of shifting trade
policies. ”The global economic uncertainties and persistent trade tensions have
undeniably contributed to a slight softening in volumes for some forwarders,”
he said.
“The
once-predictable peak seasons have become more diffuse, and businesses are
carefully recalibrating their supply chains in response to an unpredictable
tariff environment.
Saudia Cargo adds A330-300P2Fs
Saudia
Cargo A330P2F
Saudia
Cargo will add two Airbus A330-300 passenger to freighter (P2F) aircraft to its
fleet under a wet lease agreement with global aviation services company, ASL
Aviation Holdings.
The Saudi
Arabian freighter airline said the first aircraft in its ACMI (Aircraft, Crew,
Maintenance, and Insurance) lease deal with ASL, MSN
1272, arrived at Ireland's Shannon Airport (SNN) in mid-June following P2F
conversion.
Although
the aircraft, formerly registered as N810CM, has already been painted in
the Saudia livery, it will operate for ASL Airlines Ireland as EI-LKD from
September and will then be delivered to Saudia Cargo in the fourth quarter of
this year. The second aircraft is also scheduled to arrive in the fourth
quarter.
The ACMI
lease agreement includes operational support, such as dedicated crews, a robust
maintenance programme, and insurance.
The A330F
type is making a return to ASL Airlines Ireland’s fleet of Boeing 737 and ATR72
freighters, said Saudia Cargo.
The A330F
can cover distances of up to 6,850 km (3,700 nautical miles) and carry up to 62
tonnes (115,808 pounds) of revenue payload, with 26 pallets available on the
main deck and a further 11 pallets (32 LD3) available in the lower hold.
According
to Planespotters, Saudia Cargo currently has two 747-400P2Fs, two 747-400Fs and
four 777Fs.
Loay
Mashabi, chief executive and managing director of Saudia Cargo, said:
“Expanding our capacity and global reach is a strategic imperative for Saudia
Cargo, ensuring uninterrupted supply chains for our customers.
"The
integration of this A330-300P2F, in partnership with ASL Aviation Holdings,
will significantly support our network capabilities, enabling us to connect
markets with greater agility and efficiency.
"This
pivotal addition directly supports our vision to solidify our position as a
leading global air cargo carrier and solidifies the Kingdom’s role as a global
logistics hub.”
Dave
Andrew, chief executive of ASL Aviation Holdings, said: “We are delighted to
partner with Saudia Cargo to welcome an A330-300P2F to the ASL fleet. This
partnership is a positive statement for ASL as we continue to strengthen and
grow.
"The
new A330-300P2F aircraft is ideal for Saudia Cargo’s express shipping and
e-commerce services, providing a flexible solution to meet the diverse shipping
needs of its customers and deliver reliable, high-quality cargo services.”
Saudia
Cargo has recently announced several initiatives to boost the reach of its
network. These include a cooperation agreement with China Cargo Airlines
and global logistics partnership agreements with Scan
Global Logistics (SGL) and Air Logistics Europe.A
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.
Comments
Post a Comment