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  September 18,  2025

Today’s Exchange Rates

CURRENCY▲	PRICE	CHANGE	%CHANGE	OPEN	PREV.CLOSE	DAY's LOW-HIGH
USD/INR	87.77	0.300003	0.340642	87.83	88.07	87.7125- 87.8675
EUR/USD	1.1844	0.0023	-0.193817	1.1867	1.1867	1.1838- 1.1873
GBP/INR	119.7873	0.346901	-0.288761	119.8289	120.1342	119.6761- 119.864
EUR/INR	103.9696	0.063004	-0.060561	104.1328	104.0326	103.9241- 104.1491
USD/JPY	146.37	0.110001	-0.075096	146.48	146.48	146.215- 146.682
GBP/USD	1.3646	0.0001	-0.007329	1.3647	1.3647	1.363- 1.3659
DXY Index	96.75	0.116997	0.121073	96.612	96.633	96.586- 96.844
JPY/INR	0.5997	0.0013	0.217242	0.6012	0.5984	0.5985- 0.6014

///                   Sea Cargo News            ///

Adani Krishnapatnam port bars entry of OFAC, EU, UK-sanctioned vessel

Adani Krishnapatnam Port Ltd has announced strict enforcement of international sanctions compliance, issuing an advisory prohibiting the entry of vessels sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the European Union, the United Kingdom, and other global authorities.

The Port underlined its commitment to adhering to international laws and safeguarding its legal and commercial interests by disallowing vessels subject to sanctions from accessing any of its facilities. 

Under the directive, no sanctioned vessel will be permitted to enter, berth, or use Port services. The Port reserves the right to deny entry, cancel acceptance, suspend operations, or direct departure of any vessel found to be sanctioned at any stage, either before or after nomination. The advisory makes it clear that the port will bear no liability for losses, delays or damages incurred due to such rejections.

Adani Krishnapatnam Port has also placed the onus on shipowners, charterers, consignees, consignors and their agents to conduct thorough sanctions due diligence before vessel nominations. Agents are required to submit a written undertaking that nominated vessels are not subject to sanctions. Any misrepresentations will render the nominating parties fully liable for consequences, including regulatory penalties, third party claims or reputational damage.

Vizhinjam Port secures customs clearance for EXIM cargo and domestic operations

Adani Vizhinjam Port Company has received primary approval from the Customs and Central Excise Department under the Union Ministry of Finance for handling export-import (EXIM) cargo and domestic operations at Vizhinjam Port.

The final clearance from the Customs Commissionerate in Kochi is expected shortly, following the completion of remaining procedures. 

With this approval, Vizhinjam Port is now poised to commence EXIM trade, opening a new gateway for global connectivity. Leading customs broking firms operating across major Indian ports are preparing to establish offices at Vizhinjam, ensuring smooth facilitation of cargo operations. A dedicated customs office has already begun functioning at the port utility building adjacent to the harbour.

However, full scale domestic exports are expected to start only after the completion of road connectivity between the port and the national highway. Widening of service roads for container truck access is in progress and targeted for completion by December 2025.

In the interim, Adani Vizhinjam Port Company plans to begin trial operations in October, leveraging existing routes for limited domestic cargo movement. As part of the initial phase, the feasibility of moving containers at night via the Mullur Road near the port will be tested.

This milestone marks a significant step in transforming Vizhinjam into a world class trans=shipment hub, strengthening India’s maritime trade network and logistics competitiveness.

PIL joins CFOTI to boost regional trade activity

Pacific International Lines (PIL) has become one of six founding partners of the Singapore Business Federation’s Centre for the Future of Trade Investment (CFOTI). The collaboration aims to strengthen regional trade

connectivity and help Singapore enterprises navigate today’s complex global trade landscape.

The partnership was announced at a seminar on “Navigating US Tariff”: Adapt and Advance”. The event also saw the launch of the Trade AI Advisor (TAIA), the world’s first generative AI tool for global trade advisory.

S. S. Teo, Chairman of SBF and Executive Chairman of PIL, said the partnership creates an ecosystem for businesses, policy makers and through leaders to experiment, exchange ideas and co-develop solutions. William Ng, CFO of PIL, added that tools like TAIA help companies make smarter, faster decisions when entering new markets.  

The initiative brings together partners including DBS Bank, DHL Express, PwC Singapore, Rajah & Tann Asia and Temasek Foundation. Together, they aim to build a future ready trade ecosystem that is inclusive, sustainable and innovation driven.

Katajanokka terminal will be renovated and expanded

Helsinki’s landmark harbour facility, the Katajanokka constructed in 1937, will undergo comprehensive renovation. This heritage protected structure, originally designed by Gunnar Taucher, will be restored and enhanced with

An addition that honours the existing architectural character and urban landscape context while delivering services for both transit passengers and local residents.

The port of Hensinki has executed a planning contract advancing the renovation into its implementation phase.  Helin & Co Architects will lead the design process, supported by engineering and architectural consulting firm Sweco. Project initiation is scheduled for autumn 2025. Helsinki’s port operations face significant restructuring in the upcoming years.

The city centre harbour facilities accommodate both passengers and cargo services, with planned modifications affecting passenger routing and freight movement patterns :

·       Tallinn services will relocate to West Harbour facilities.

·       Stockholm operations will concentrate at the renovated Katajanokka Terminal.

·       South Harbour will be designated for international cruise operation and municipal purposes, including the proposed Architecture and Design Museum.

The future Katajanokka Terminal will accommodate two shipping operators providing Stockhom services : Viking Line and Tallink Silja Line.Initial planning phases will focus on determining spatial requirements and ensuring proposed solutions support both shipping company and efficient passenger flow management.

Kaj Takolander, VP Passenger Services at the Port of Helsinki, stated that renovated Katajanokka Terminal will functionbeyond its role as a Stockholm gateway, serving as a community space for Helsinki residents.

The project timeline will be as follows :

*   Autumn 2025 : Design Phase commencement.

*   Spring 2026 :  Preliminary data preparation for urban planning processes.

*   2028 – 2032 : Construction implementation period.

*   2032 : Target date for operational terminal completion.

 

First autonomous truck ride at Port of Antwerp-Bruges

The Port of Antwerp-Bruge is taking a major step towards the future of transport. The port is hosting the Autonomous Mobility Summit, showcasing cutting edge technologies on land, at sea and in the air.

The summit brings together technology companies, port operators and policy makers.  Attendees will see the latest innovations, from drones and vessels to container shuttles and trains.

The highlight is a Belgian first. Swedish company Elnride will carry out the port’s very first autonomous truck ride. The demonstration turns the port into a real world testbed for innovation and smart logistics.

The event underlines the port’s commitment to autonomous mobility. It also shows how public and private partners can work together to test and scale new technologies in a live environment.

Spot rate destruction on the Pacific Paused

Fresh from cutting the Asia to US West Coast PS5 service altogether the Premier Alliance is looking at further cuts on the pacific with a view to bolstering plummeting spot rates. 

According to eeSea the Premier Alliances pendulum services the MD2 and FP2 are no longer serving the Pacific, though the cut to the FP2 has yet to be confirmed.

ONE confirmed that it has reconfigured the MD2 and GS2 services : “The Asia-Mediterranean segment of the current MS2 service will now operate as a standalone service, renamed Mediterranean 2 (MD2) services.

The Transpacific segment of MS2 will be integrated with the AG1 (Asia Gulf Express) service and launched as the new Gulf Pacific South 2 (GS2) service”.

Shanghai spot rates rise on U.S. trade, fall to Europe

The Shanghai containerised freight index (SCFI) edged up slightly in week 36, reaching 1,444.44 points, up 0.04% from the previous week, as Japan International Freight Forwarders Association reported. Spot rates for exports from Shanghai rose on U.S. trade but fell on European routes.

Recovery operations underway after container spill at Port of Long Beach

Salvage operations are underway at the Port of Long Beach after an incident on Tuesday morning that caused an estimated 75 shipping containers to fall from the cargo vessel Mississippi at the Pier G Terminal.

On Wednesday, officials from the Unified Command – comprising federal, state and local agencies along with vessel representative – convened at the Port’s Joint Command and Control Centre to co-ordinate recovery efforts.

Two sunken containers were retrieved from the basin, while responders also secured the source of a fuel leak from an at-berth emissions control barge. The tank, containing about 2,000 gallons of renewable diesel, was safely contained.

The Mississippi, carrying 2,412 containers at the time, began losing cargo at 8.48 a.m.  Tuesday September 16, 2025. While most port operations remain unaffected, a 500 yard safety zone has been established around the vessel.  The U.S. Coast Guard, Jacobsen Port Pilots, and Port officials are working to maintain safe navigation within the zone. One minor injury has been reported.

“We are grateful that no one was hurt and that everyone is safe, especially our local dockworkers, following the Pier G container incident. While events like this are extremely rare, they underscore the importance of protecting the safety of our workers, first responders and the public. Our focus remains on a full recovery and supporting the U.S. Coast Guard’s through investigation,” said Rex Richardson, Mayor of Long Beach.

The U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board are leading the investigation. Sonar surveys indicate 25-30 containers remain submerged, with recovered units secured in a designated, boomed off area.

Non essential personnel are asked to avoid the affected zone, while the Coast Guard continues issuing hourly marine safety broadcasts to warn mariners hazards.

/////       AIR  CARGO   NEWS   /////

Antigua and Barbuda’s 7 Air Cargo begins inaugural service from Miami

Antigua and Barbuda launched 7 Air Cargo, which made its inaugural flight from Miami to VC Bird International Airport. It has aimed at enhancing the cargo transport network for the island nation and promoting the airlift sector for the country. 

The new service will be available every Wednesday, offering new opportunities for businesses and residents with a consistent shipping option. As per the official, the addition will expand capacity, improve reliability and help meet rising demand for imports and exports between Antigua and the United States.

Amerijet also served the Miami route, and the arrival of 7 Air Cargo gives Antigua a second dedicated carrier. It is also expected to ease supply chain pressures and provide more flexibility for importers.

Several industry analysts noted that Miami is also known as a vital hub for regional trade, aiming to enhance the cargo sector. It has marked the introduction of an additional weekly service that marks a step forward in strengthening Antigua’s logistics and economic resilience.

Globa LogisticZ has also made shipping more reliable for everyone with weekly flights out of Miami to Antigua operated by 7Air Cargo Boeing 737-800. Antigua and Barbuda will enhance the connection with Miami by providing new opportunities to the citizens of the country.

Notably, on September 07, 2025, a WestJet Boeing 737-800 arriving from Toronto made a hard landing at Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten.

During touchdown, the aircraft’s right main landing gear collapsed, causing the plane to tilt. The crew initiated a full emergency evacuation, with passengers exiting through deployed slides.

Emergency services responded promptly and while 3 people were checked by medical staff, no serious injuries were reported. The incident temporarily disrupted airport operations, with flights diverted until the runway was cleared. Authorities are now investigating the cause of the landing gear failure. 

Belgium’s Liège Airport sees exceptional growth with 29% cargo increase in August

European freighter-focused hub continues upward trajectory with significant volume increases and plans for €500m investment in its CargoLand logistics facility by 2040.

Liege Airport

Belgium’s Liège Airport has reported “exceptional growth” this summer, with airfreight tonnage having risen by 14% year on year in July and by 29% in August.

Despite these traditionally being quieter months for air cargo traffic, 109,370 tons passed through the European cargo hub’s CargoLand logistics hub in July, and 111,491 tons in August. During the first eight months of 2025, Liège processed 847,551 tons of cargo – up 13% on the same period of 2024.

As for aircraft movements, July saw 2,464 (up 9% year on year) and there were 2,354 in August (again, a rise of 9% over the same month of last year). Aircraft movements for January-August totalled 18,710, up by 8% year on year.

Liège is the fifth-largest cargo airport in Europe and the only European gateway to prioritise freighter operations. It specialises in the transport of perishable goods, pharmaceutical products, medical equipment, express parcels, e-commerce, medical and humanitarian equipment and live animals.

A statement said that the summer throughput results confirm the airport’s role as “a key hub in the European cargo landscape”.

Among developments at Liège Airport this summer was the opening of Swissport’s dedicated perishables handling centre there – the only facility of its kind at the airport.

In June, Liège announced its intention to invest €500m in its CargoLand hub, which is set for completion in 2040.

Northern Air Cargo to operate thrice-weekly Boeing 737-800F flights between Seattle and Anchorage

New thrice-weekly Boeing 737-800F operation promises same-day access to rural Alaskan markets and enhanced export capabilities for fresh seafood producers.

Northern Air Cargo Boeing 737-800F

All-cargo airline Northern Air Cargo (NAC) will soon launch a new direct cargo route between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC).

The new service begins in the week commencing 5 October and will utilise one of the airline’s Boeing 737-800 freighters. Flights will depart from Seattle on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evening, arriving in Anchorage early the following day.

The airline said that the new service reflects its commitment to Alaska’s economy and communities.

”With dependable, same-day access to rural Alaska, NAC keeps grocery shelves stocked, supports health care facilities, and delivers time-sensitive construction materials as well as and other critical logistics needs," the airline said.

This new route provides our customers with a vital resource,” added Dave Karp, NAC president. “We’re offering a tool for businesses and communities to partner with an experienced Alaskan cargo carrier that puts customer service first."

From ANC, shipments originating in Seattle can connect with the airline's other services operating within the state. This means communities like Nome and Kotzebue can receive freight in as little as 12 hours, while others, such as Utqiagvik and Bethel, can be serviced in around 18 hours.

On the export front, the service will cater for fresh products, such as seafood, with access to Pacific Northwest markets. Cold chain shipments are protected with tracking and "eco-friendly insulation".

Turkish Cargo appoints 4RCargo in Slovakia

Partnership enables Slovak market access to Turkish Cargo’s network through Vienna, Frankfurt, Linz, Munich and Prague, supporting the carrier’s ambitious growth strategy targeting 3.9m tons by 2033.

Turkish Cargo has selected Warsaw-headquartered 4RCargo as its exclusive GSSA in Slovakia.

The new partnership will allow 4RCargo’s customers in the Slovak market access to Turkish Cargo’s network connecting through Vienna, Frankfurt, Linz, Munich and Prague, before transiting Turkish Cargo’s central hub in Istanbul.

Photo: Turkish Cargo

Pawel Kazmierczak, 4RCargo managing director, said: “With an easily accessible global network, the partnership between Turkish Cargo and 4RCargo will open the door for Slovak customers to continue to grow exports whilst receiving unparalleled customer experience.”

4RCargo will represent Turkish Cargo from a new dedicated office in Bratislava, which the GSSA opened earlier this year in response to market demand. The company has been expanding across Central Eastern Europe since its establishment in 2021.

A statement noted that Turkish Cargo will benefit from 4RCargo’s new customer relationship management and multimodal capacity management system, SugarCRM.

Accessible through a mobile app, the system delivers complete visibility, updating capacity information in real time.

Turkish Cargo aims to increase its number of cargo destinations to 150 and cargo aircraft to 44, boost the capacity of its SMARTIST facility at Istanbul Airport to 4.5m tons, and grow its operational volume to 3.9m tons by 2033. 

 

US postal volumes plummet following de minimis suspension

William Potter/Shutterstock.com

Postal volumes being transported to US - largely by airfreight - have dropped by more than 80% following the country’s suspension of the duty-free de minimis exemption.

The US suspended de minimis globally on 29 August, following the end of the exemption for China and Hong Kong at the start of May.

The exemption had allowed e-commerce platforms to fly packages worth less than $800 into the country without paying any import fees, resulting in a boom in online sales in recent years.

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) said new rules placed the burden of customs duty collection and remittance on transportation carriers or US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency-approved qualified parties.

“Carriers, such as airlines, signalled they were unwilling or unable to bear this responsibility and postal operators had not yet established a link to the list of CBP qualified parties, causing major operational disruptions,” the UPU said.

Following the suspension, more than 88 postal operators have now suspended some or all postal services to the US until a solution is implemented.

In an update issued this weekend, the UPU said it had deployed a tool that would help postal operators calculate and collect duties.

As of 5 September, postal operators can access a landed-cost calculator via an application programming interface (API) that can be plugged into their retail and counter solutions. The solution enables posts to calculate and collect the required duties from customers at origin.

The UPU’s Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) solution will also soon be integrated in its Customs Declaration System (CDS) platform, allowing a gradual roll-out by the 176 postal operators using this platform.

Solutions to transfer the required data and to remit the amounts to the qualified third party will also be provided, and posts will have at their disposal all the necessary technological tools to keep the mail moving. The UPU will support postal operators with the roll out of this complete solution, including adapting their internal procedures and training postal staff.

“The UPU has in its mission the responsibility to guarantee the free circulation of postal items over a single postal territory. We’re working to uphold that responsibility with the rapid development of a new technical solution that will help get mail moving to the United States again,” said UPU director general Masahiko Metoki.

Under the postal network exception, goods shipped through the postal system will face one of two duty types:

·        Ad valorem duty: A tariff based on the package’s value, calculated using the tariff rate for the country of origin under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

·        Specific duty: A flat rate of $80 - $200 per item,  also based on the effective IEEPA tariff rate applicable to the country of origin of the product.

The specific duty option will be available for six months, after which all applicable shipments must comply with the ad valorem duty methodology.

Low-value goods shipped through means other than the international postal system will be subject to all applicable duties immediately.

 

One Air’s scheduled freighter services underway

One Air Boeing 747-400 Freighter

A One Air Boeing 747 Freighter flew from Hong Kong to the UK’s East Midlands Airport on September 4 with a full payload of 109 tonnes – marking the launch of the company’s first ever scheduled freighter flights.

Operated on behalf of affiliated sales arm Air One, the four-times-weekly service is aimed at time-sensitive cargo such as e-commerce and electronics.

The company said the launch of scheduled operations marked the “start of a new chapter” for the business.

Flights depart Hong Kong late in the evening, arriving at East Midlands early the next morning for onward distribution across the UK via Swissport’s road feeder services, including to hubs such as Heathrow, Manchester and Birmingham.

Air One operated over 3,000 747F charter flights between January 2020 and August 2025, linking Hong Kong with 35 destinations worldwide and transporting over 300m kg of cargo. The company has now established a permanent Hong Kong office under director Far East Spencer AuYeung.

Air One chief commercial officer Peter Scholten said: “Launching scheduled services is a significant step in AIR ONE’s development and adds a third pillar to our service portfolio alongside wet lease and charter operations.

“Hong Kong has always been a vital market for us, and this new route provides the foundation for a broader scheduled operations strategy. By 2026, Air One plans to expand frequencies from Hong Kong and add further routes to its network.”

Air One, the customer-facing brand of Air One International Holdings, is a global network of cargo airlines and aviation companies offering flexible airfreight capacity through long-term charters, ACMI solutions and scheduled services.

The group manages the commercial activities of subsidiary airline AeroTransCargo SRL (Moldova), as well as its affiliated partners, RomCargo Airlines (Romania) and One Air (United Kingdom). Combined, this represents a widebody fleet consisting of 11 Boeing 747-400 Freighters and now the first 777F.

Air One operates through a network of offices in London, the UAE, and Hong Kong. 

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.