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 November 01,
2025
Today’s
Exchange Rates
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/// Sea Cargo News ///
PM Modi inaugurates
Bharat Container Line
India
has officially announced its first national container shipping line — Bharat
Container Shipping Line (BCSL) — marking a major step in the country’s plan to
reduce dependence on foreign carriers and boost control over its seaborne
trade.
Prime
Minister Narendra Modi announced the creation of BCSL at the Global Maritime
CEO Forum during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, describing it as part of
India’s “new era of maritime confidence.” The new line starts with a fleet of
51 boxships, backed by a $6.9bn investment.
It
will operate under a public–private partnership, supported by India’s Maritime
Development Fund, and will focus initially on regional routes across Asia, West
Asia, and the Red Sea, before expanding to global trades.
The
launch of BSCL aligns with the government’s long term goal to build a strong
domestic shipping presence capable of handling a greater share of India’s
growing containerised trade – much of which is currently carried by foreign
operators.
During
his address, Modi said India’s maritime sector was “advancing with great speed
and energy”, highlighting record investments and policy reforms designed to
transform the country into a global maritime hub.
As
part of the same event, Modi unveiled a string of major state-backed shipping
orders, including nearly 60 oil and gas vessels worth around $5.7 Billion,
launch of a “Green Tug Programme” involving 100 eco-friendly tugs and 11
dredgers for Dredging Corporation of India.
In
total, the announcements covered 437 new vessels worth a combined $26 Billion –
part of the government’s wide “Maritime India Vision 2047” initiative.
The Prime Minister also confirmed that Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) plans to expand its fleet to 216 vessels by 2047, underscoring India’s long term push for maritime self reliance and fleet renewal.
India secures US sanctions waiver extension for Chabahar Port operations
India has successfully secured an extension of the US sanctions waiver for the Chabahar Port, allowing operations to continue until early next year. The waiver, which expired this week, was renewed following intensive negotiations between New Delhi and Washington — a move that comes as a major relief for India’s regional connectivity and trade strategy.
The
Chabahar Port, operated by India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) under a 10-year
agreement signed in 2024, serves as a crucial maritime gateway for India to
Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
The
extension enables India to continue developing and managing the Shahid Beheshti
Terminal, which has been instrumental in facilitating humanitarian aid and
essential supplies to Afghanistan, while also providing landlocked Central
Asian nations like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan direct access to the Indian Ocean.
The
US had initially set the waiver’s deadline for September 29, but India’s
diplomatic efforts ensured its continuation. The extension under-scores the
port’s importance not just to India’s strategic ambitions, but also to the
broader regional trade framework, including the International North-South
Transport Corridor (INSTC) – a multimodal route linking Iran, India, Russia and
Central Asia.
Despite
ongoing US sanctions on Iran’s financial and energy sectors, Chabahar Port has
repeatedly received exemptions since 2018 due to its recognised humanitarian
and strategic role in supporting Afghanistan’s economy and enhancing regional
connectivity.
India’s
long-term commitment to the Chabahar Project reflects its strategic intent to
strengthen regional trade links, diversify supply routes and reinforce its
presence in Central Asia amid complex geopolitical dynamics.
Ports
along India’s eastern coast are gradually resuming operations after Cyclone
Montha disrupted maritime activity earlier this week. At Vizag, port operations
and vessel movements have been reinstated, though intermittent stoppages
continue on some working vessels due to adverse weather.
Paradip has also restored inward and outward vessel movements, with cargo operations running as normal. Gangavaram Port declared 27–29 October as non-weather working days following the cyclone’s impact. Cyclone Montha made landfall south of Kakinada at midnight on 28 October with sustained wind speeds of 90–100 kmph and gusts up to 110 kmph.
The
storm brought heavy rain and thunderstorms to South Odisha and severe weather
to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In the immediate aftermath, several ports
including Kakinada, Vizag, Gangavaram and Krishnapatnam suspended operations.
By
the evening of 29 October, Kakinada’s Deep Water Port resumed inward vessel
movements and Vizag and Paradip restarted navigational and cargo operations.
Other
ports such as Chennai, Ennore, Kattupalli, Karaikal, Dhamra and Tuticorin
remained largely unaffected throughout, continuing normal cargo and vessel
movements. The system has since weakened as it moved northwest-ward across
coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Singapore thanks PM Modi for highlighting PSA Mumbai’s phase 2 expansion at India Maritime Week 2025
Singapore’s
High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, on Wednesday expressed his gratitude to
Prime Minister Narendra Modi for highlighting the launch of PSA Mumbai’s Phase
2 Terminal Expansion during his address at the India Maritime Week 2025 in
Mumbai.
In
a post on X, Wong wrote, “A big thank you to PM @narendramodi for mentioning
the launch of PSA Mumbai's Phase 2 Terminal Expansion today at the
#IndiaMaritimeWeek2025! Singapore is glad to be India’s largest foreign
investor, including in port infrastructure.”
In
another post, he added that Singapore is “proud to be a partner country for
#IMW2025 and looks forward to partnering India as it further grows its maritime
industry.”
PM
Modi, speaking at the Maritime Leaders Conclave, said that the Jawaharlal Nehru
Port Trust (JNPT) has now become India’s largest container port, crediting this
milestone to the largest ever foreign direct investment (FDI) in India’s port
sector by Singapore’s PSA Group.
He
further noted that the commencement of Phase 2 of the Bharat Mumbai Container
Terminal (BMCT) has doubled the terminal’s handling capacity, positioning JNPT
as India’s biggest container port. The
PM expressed special appreciation to Singapore for its partnership and
contribution to India’s infrastructure development.
PM
Modi also chaired the Global Maritime CEO Forum, a key highlight of India
Maritime Week 2025, which saw participation from leaders and policy makers
representing over 85 countries, including CEOs of major global shipping
companies and maritime innovators.
The
PM noted that several significant projects and investment agreements were
announced at the conclave, reflecting growing global confidence in India’s
maritime capabilities. Highlighting India’s recent achievements in the sector,
PM Modi announced that Vizhinjam Port, India’s first deep water international
trans-shipment hub, is now operational and recently received the world’s
largest container vessel-a proud milestone for India’s maritime progress.
He
also mentioned the launch of India’s first megawatt-scale green hydrogen
facility at Kandla Port, underscoring the nation’s commitment to green and
sustainable port operations.
In
the 21stt century, India’s maritime sector is advancing with great speed and
energy,” the PM said, adding that the year 2025 has been particularly
transformative for India’s shipping and logistics ecosystem.
The
Global Maritime CEO Forum concluded with a strong message of collaboration and
innovation as global maritime leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting
India’s vision of a resilient, sustainable and globally competitive maritime
economy.
VOC Port Authority
wins ‘Green Visionary’ award at India Maritime Week 2025
The
V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) has been honoured with the
prestigious ‘Green Visionary’ Award at the India Maritime Week 2025,
recognising its outstanding commitment to environmental stewardship and
leadership in port decarbonisation.
The
award celebrates VOCPA’s pioneering efforts in accelerating sustainability
initiatives and setting new benchmarks for green transformation among Indian
ports. Chairman Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit and Deputy Chairman Shri Rajesh
Soundrarajan received the award from Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and
Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, in the presence of Union Minister of State
Shri Shantanu Thakur and Secretary, MoPSW Shri Vijay Kumar.
Speaking
on the occasion, officials commended VOCPA’s proactive approach to integrating
renewable energy, eco-friendly operations and carbon reduction measures into
its development roadmap.
Reaffirming
its commitment, VOCPA stated that it remains steadfast in advancing a greener,
more sustainable maritime future, in line with India’s vision for a carbon
neutral port ecosystem.
IIM Calcutta showcases VOC Port’s sustainability journey in new case study
In
a significant recognition of green progress in India’s maritime sector, IIM
Calcutta has unveiled a comprehensive case study on VOC Port, Tuticorin,
highlighting its sustainability journey and achievements in renewable energy,
green operations, and innovation toward a carbon-neutral future.
The
launch took place in the presence of Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and
Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Secretary MoPSW Shri Vijay Kumar, and VOC
Port Chairman Shri Susanta Kumar Purohit.
The
case study underscores VOC Port’s commitment to environmental stewardship
through initiatives such as increased renewable energy usage, eco-friendly port
operations, and sustainable infrastructure development.
Speaking on the occasion, officials commended the Port’s efforts in aligning with the national vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047% and contribution to India’s goal of achieving net-zero emission in the maritime sector.
Maersk partners with
L&T for shipbuilding, flags two vessels in India
Maersk
has partnered with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to explore shipbuilding
opportunities and has flagged two vessels in India, reinforcing its long-term
commitment to the country’s maritime sector.
An
MoU with L&T was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Shipping and
Ports Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday. This is the second such MoU signed by the
Danish shipping giant and follows a similar agreement with Cochin Shipyard
earlier this year.
Maersk,
which is the second largest container shipping line in the world with over 700
vessels also announced the flagging of two ships in India. This comes in
the backdrop of the government’s policy reforms and gives a push to its
ambitions to increase Indian merchant fleet.
Maersk
said it has registered a new legal entity in Gift City and flagged two vessels;
Maersk Vigo and Maersk Vilnius. An MOU
was also signed with DCM Containers to explore manufacturing and procurement of
containers from India.
“India possesses significant infrastructure capabilities that Maersk wishes to capitalise on”, said Ahmed Hassan, Head of Asset Strategy, A.P. Moller-Maersk.
India-Oman FTA delayed over Omani procedural clearances, not disputes, says official
The
signing of the free trade agreement (FTA) between India and Oman has been
delayed due to procedural formalities on the Omani side, and not because of any
outstanding issues or disagreements between the two countries, a government
official said.
Negotiations
for the pact were concluded several months ago. Negotiations for the trade
deal, termed as the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
(CEPA) began in November 2023 and were completed in August 2025.
Both
sides have conducted five rounds of in-person talks, with the last one held in
New Delhi in January. According to the official, the trade deal is also
awaiting a green signal from the Majlis al-Shura, or the lower house of the
Council of Oman, which serves as a consultative and legislative body.
“There
are no outstanding issues, it is all procedural. They took a lot of time
drafting a cabinet note in Arabic. India is more straightforward in terms of
procedures; we only require a cabinet approval. They have their own ministries
looking at it and they have sort of group of ministers, sort of a mini cabinet
who look at it, then their cabinet looks at in, then their lower house is
looking at it. So, it is a longer process,” the official said.
Attempts
to broker a trade deal with a second Gulf nation follows India’s Comprehensive
Economic Partnership Agreement with UAE, signed on February 18, 2022 and
entered into force from May 01, 2022. Total trade between India and Oman stood
at $10.61 Billion in 2024-25, a growth of 18.6% year-on-year.
India
imported goods worth $5.6 Billion from Oman, while exports to the Gulf nation
stood at $4.07 Billion, leading to a trade deficit of $2.48 Billion in the
previous financial year.
Around
80% of Indian goods are subject to an average import duty of 5% in Oman. The
Gulf nation’s import duties range from zero to 100%, with steeper tariffs on
specific items such as meats, wines and tobacco products.
A
Free Trade Agreement between the two sides are expected to boost India’s labour
intensive exports to Oman such as Textiles, Gems and Jewellery, Leather
products which are currently facing steeper tariffs in the USA.
China lifts rare earth export ban for four Indian firms
Four
Indian companies have won Beijing's approval to import rare earth magnets,
signalling an easing of the Chinese grip that had various local industries in a
twist for months.
The
relaxation comes six months after the northern neighbour clamped down on
shipments of these vital raw materials at the outset of a trade war with the
US.
The Chinese commerce ministry has approved the rare earth magnet export applications of Jay Ushin Ltd, De Diamond Electric India Pvt. Ltd, and the Indian units of German automotive component maker Continental AG and Japan’s Hitachi Astemo, according to a senior executive with an automotive firm and an executive with an auto industry lobby group.
China is granting applications only for consumer applications, Rare earths are also crucial in several military applications. Continental, Hitachi, Jay Ushin and DE Diamond did not immediately reply to enquiries emailed on Thursday morning.
Rare earths are a group of 17 metallic elements that are crucial to making compact yet powerful motors that power electric vehicles and other vehicle components. These elements are also extensively used in electronics.
While
not exactly rare, these elements are found only in trade quantities and are
recovered as by-products when producing other elements. Thus, recovering these
elements in high volumes requires massive scale, which takes decades to
establish-an area China has focused on for years.
Most
countries imported rare earth magnets from China rather than investing in
refining rare earths, which has allowed China to control an estimated 90% of
the world’s production of rare earths.
S
J Logistics Ltd (India), a Mumbai-based logistics and supply chain solutions
provider, announces the successful signing of a Maiden Voyage Charter Fixture
Note (Suez Express Service) for chartering a vessel in a Joint Venture with
Nexus Line Freight Broker L.L.C., Dubai, through its Wholly Owned Subsidiary S
J Logisol Shipping L.L.C., Dubai.
This
landmark development represents a significant milestone in our company’s growth
journey, reinforcing our commitment to innovation, diversification, and
long-term value creation within the global logistics and shipping industry.
Expanding
horizons
This
Voyage Charter marks a defining achievement, representing our first direct
vessel charter under the S J Logistics Umbrella. The vessel will operate on a
route strategically designed to strengthen maritime connectivity and streamline
trade between key global markets.
The
first voyage is scheduled to commence between 25th October 2025 and 30th
October 2025, covering the following rotation:
Service
Rotation: JEBEL ALI – KANDLA – JEDDAH – ALEXANDRIA – JEBEL ALI
This
service will bridge vital trade corridors between the Gulf, India, Africa and
the Red Sea region, enabling faster, more reliable, and cost-effective
containerised cargo movement.
Regional
connectivity & reach
The
Suez Express Service extends its reach beyond mainline ports through a robust
transhipment and feeder network:
·
Via
Jeddah (Red Sea & Horn of Africa Region): Port Sudan (Sudan), Aden (Yemen),
Djibouti (Djibouti), Berbera (Somaliland/Somalia), forming part of the Horn of
Africa corridor.
·
Via
Alexandria (North Africa & Mediterranean Region): Ambarli, Iskenderun,
Mersin, Safiport Derince, Novorossiysk, Moscow, Beirut, Lattakia, Misurata,
Benghazi, providing direct access to North Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean,
and Southern Europe.
This
expansive network ensures coverage from the Horn of Africa through North Africa
and the Mediterranean, fostering seamless trade flows between Africa, Asia and
the Red Sea region.
Service
area & market reach
The
service will span major global trade regions, including the Red Sea,
Mediterranean, Russia, Turkey, Gulf, and Upper Gulf. This extensive coverage
enhances our network connectivity and provides customers with a comprehensive
service footprint linking key emerging and established markets.
In
India, our initial operational focus will be on the North and West regions,
leveraging our strong infrastructure, customer relationships, and existing
cargo base in these markets. Over time, we will expand to the Eastern and
Southern regions of India, supported by additional vessel capacity. This phased expansion ensures operational
efficiency while maintaining our hallmark of quality, reliability, and timely
delivery.
Korean Air becomes new customer for
Airbus A350F
Korean Air has joined the list of A350F operators by converting seven of its existing A350-1000 passenger aircraft orders into the freighter version, becoming a new customer for the world’s only all-new large freighter.
“Korean
Air is one of the world’s largest cargo operators,” says Benoît de
Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business. “The
decision to add the A350F to its fleet is therefore a very significant
endorsement of the aircraft’s unique capabilities.
The A350F
is designed with the largest main deck cargo door in the industry and a
fuselage optimised for standard pallets and containers. Over 70% of its
airframe is built from advanced materials, making it 46 tonnes lighter at
take-off than competing models.
It is also
the only freighter fully compliant with the International Civil Aviation
Organisation’s (ICAO) enhanced CO₂ emissions standards, set to take effect in
2027. Currently under development, the A350F can carry a payload of up to 111
tonnes and will fly up to 4,700 nautical miles / 8,700 kilometres.
Powered by
the latest Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines, the aircraft will bring a
reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions of up to 40% when compared
to previous generation aircraft with a similar payload-range capability.
At the end
of September 2025, the latest generation widebody A350 Family had won 1,445
orders from 63 customers worldwide, including 65 for the all-new A350F from 10
cargo carriers and one lessor. Korean Air has ordered a total of 33 A350
aircraft. This now comprises 20 A350-1000s, seven A350Fs, and six A350-900s, of
which the first two have already been delivered. In addition, the carrier has
outstanding orders for 39 A321neo single aisle aircraft.
Ryan Air flies net zero in Alaska
Anchorage,
Alaska-based cargo carrier Ryan Air has placed a deposit-backed order for Beta
Charge Cubes to be placed across its network. The airline, which serves 70+
rural communities across Alaska, aims to expand its network of e-driven cargo
aircraft and improve operational reliability in regions where air service is
often the only link for food, medicine, industrial supplies and other essential
goods.
ALIA CTOL
e-freighters can uplift 570 kg per flight (1,250 pounds) – courtesy: Beta
Technologies.Reducing
CO2 emissions
Under his leadership and that of his management team, the course has now been
set for a network served by electric-powered aircraft. To this end, the company
has ordered 10 Charge Cubes to power the fleet of ALIA electric aircraft,
obtained from pioneering U.S. firm, Beta Technologies.
They will
serve routes in the remote regions of the most northern U.S. state which are
inaccessible by road and depend on air transport for supplies. These charge
cubes deliver sufficient energy to repower a CTOL*** aircraft and are
compatible not only with Beta freighters but also with other electric aircraft
and ground vehicles, including cars, trucks and buses.
This
lowers the strain on the local electricity grids, many of which in rural Alaska
continue to rely on greenhouse gas emitting diesel generators. “By
leveraging Beta’s battery technology and infrastructure, Ryan Air – together
with local partners – can help bring greater energy reliability and
sustainability to even the most remote parts of our state,” stated
president, Lee Ryan.
The
executive went on to say: ALIA’s batteries “can be repurposed at the
end of their flying life, creating second-life applications that support rural
Alaska.”
e-powered
freighters are on the advance…
Beta Technologies’ ALIA CTOL is able to accommodate up to 570 kg per flight
(1,250 pounds) or five travelers in a passenger version. It is equipped with a
proprietary H500A electric motor paired with Hartzell aircraft propellers
engineered for electric and hybrid-electric propulsion.
With a
wingspan of 15 meters (50 feet), the ALIA achieves a range of 622 kilometers
(336 nm) and a maximum speed of 285 km/h (153 knots). Its battery system allows
power charging to 98% in less than an hour, which enables short operational
stopovers.
… in
Alaska and Scandinavia
In SEP2025, an ALIA freighter completed its first flight in Scandinavia, taking
from Stavanger to Bergen. CargoForwarder Global reported: https://cargoforwarder.eu/2025/09/21/menzies-world-cargo-expands-in-scandinavia/ . The trial is part of Norway’s international test arena
for zero- and low-emission aviation, and the route was flown to simulate cargo
service.
Stavanger – Bergen will be serviced regularly throughout the entire duration of the test phase. ***In electric flying, CTOL stands for Conventional Take-Off and Landing. This indicates that an e-powered aircraft still requires a runway for operations, similar to traditional airplanes, this way contrasting Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft.
Lufthansa Cargo: Green Fuel, Empty
Trucks?
Trucks
parked at Fraport’s Cargo City North, waiting for Lufthansa Cargo shipments –
photo: CFG/hsThe
roadblock
Since 2012, Frankfurt has banned night flights between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. The
German Federal Administrative Court confirmed the measure. To keep freight
moving, Lufthansa Cargo expanded its Road Feeder Services (RFS), connecting
Frankfurt and Munich with other European hubs. This system comes at a cost.
In 2024,
Eurostat reported that 21.6% of truck kilo meters in the EU were driven empty.
The average load was just 14.3 tons. In theory, a full Boeing 747-400F can be
unloaded into 12 trucks.
In
practice, more than 25 vehicles are often needed to cover the road feeder
network.
Researchers
such as Beifert and Prause warn that RFS remain poorly integrated into the air
cargo chain. “The results are higher costs and an unnecessary environmental
burden,” explains Professor Gudrun Prause. Cargo iQ is working on standards
to improve visibility between road and air. Progress is underway, but the
challenge remains.
Cross-border
flows add to the opacity
Lufthansa confirms using bonded trucks that cross the German border twice.
First, to have shipments security checked at airports such as Amsterdam,
Maastricht, Luxembourg or Strasbourg. After this, the trucks continue their
journey to Frankfurt, from where the goods are flown, hence, crossing the
border again. These detours are made because security processes at Dutch,
French or Belgian airports are faster, easier to perform and less bureaucratic
compared to Germany, confirm forwarding associations.
Lufthansa
Cargo’s RFS network is extensive, like that of Cargolux, Air France-KLM Cargo,
and other similar cargo airlines. According to Lufthansa Cargo, all major
industrial centers in Western Europe and many destinations in Eastern Europe
are served by scheduled truck services. In addition, there is a dense RFS
network in North America.
Across
Europe, 115 destinations are served regularly, resulting in 1,600 trips per
week. Frankfurt, Munich, and Vienna serve as hubs in the carrier’s RFS scheme.
A total of 530,000 tons of air freight annually roll across highways and
streets on behalf of Lufthansa Cargo. The amount of greenhouse gas emissions
based on these transports is not included in the airline’s environmental
balance sheet, but is determined and communicated by the trucking partners, if
at all.
However,
without trucking, air freight would not be possible. At Liège, former
vice-president commercial, Steven Verhasselt recalls that about 30% of cargo
came by truck from Germany. Since his departure four years ago, the figure has
not been officially confirmed.
Green
promises
Meanwhile, Lufthansa Cargo highlights SAF as its flagship climate initiative.
The fuel can reduce emissions by up to 80% over its life cycle. But it
represented only 0.2% of global jet fuel in 2023. It also costs three to five
times more than kerosene. The European Union has set quotas of 2% in 2025 and
6% in 2030.
In
contrast, efficiency gains on the ground are already visible. Uber Freight
reports cutting 4 million empty miles through better coordination. Eco-driving
reduces truck fuel use by 12% to 25%.
These
practices have already cut emissions by 5% to 15% per ton transported. That is
well above the current effect of blending 3% SAF. Lufthansa Cargo now faces a
choice: It can focus on a symbolic but limited solution, or it can try to
eliminate structural inefficiencies in its network.
Green
communication attracts attention. But half full or even empty trucks undermine
credibility. The coming years will show whether Lufthansa Cargo and the entire
air freight industry can move from climate announcements and slogans to greater
efficiency.
Air Cargo keeps on growing in Latin
America…
… although
rather modestly. Latest figures from the Latin American and Caribbean Air
Transport Association (ALTA) evidence a slight growth of air freight volumes in
most Latin American sub-markets. However, the tariffs announced by Trump are
having a dampening effect particularly on exports to the United States, hurting
some markets more than others.
Latin America’s economies are undergoing a consolidation phase. However, low productivity hampers long-term economic growth, warns the OECD – picture: OECD
In Brazil, Latin America’s largest air freight market by far, ahead of Colombia and Mexico, the volume of freight handled in JUL25 grew by only 0.8% compared to the previous year. In figures: around 75,000 tons were loaded or unloaded at Brazilian airports that month.
Trade with
Europe, that accounts for roughly 35% of Brazil’s total international air
cargo, expanded by 0.6% over the same month, with Spain registering the
strongest growth (+26%).
This was
largely driven by imports into Brazil, which surged 47% year-on-year. Among the
most dynamic import categories from Spain were iron and steel products (+68%),
organic chemicals (+175%), plastics (+414%), and pharmaceuticals (+93%),
reports ALTA in its market analysis.
…showed a relatively steady performance, with air cargo volumes up 0.5% year-on-year in JUL25. The bi-directional corridor with the United States, the largest in the region, contracted by 2.3% year-on-year: exports from Colombia to the United States dropped by 9.1%, while imports from the United States grew 15.1% but with a significant imbalance between the volume of imports from and exports to the United States. Within exports, the steepest drops were observed in fresh-cut flowers for bouquets and ornaments (–24%) and fresh or chilled tilapia (–53%), resulting mainly from new tariffs imposed by Washington.
Mexico
The region’s third-largest air cargo market handled 56.7 thousand tons in
JUL25, a 1.2% year-on-year increase. Air trade with the United States rose by
8.3% year-on-year, with inbound flows from the United States to Mexico (+12.2%)
showing greater momentum than outbound flows from Mexico to the United States
(+3.4%).
All in
all, air cargo traffic to and from Latin America and the Caribbean, measured in
metric tons carried, rose by 2.2% in JUL25 compared to the same month in 2024.
International cargo accounted for roughly 85% of the total volume moved during
that month.
Seeking
new markets
Peter Cerdá, ALTA’s CEO, commented on the figures with some relief, as
Washington’s tariff effects have only caused manageable slowdowns. “July
results confirm that air cargo in Latin America and the Caribbean continues to
grow, although at a slower pace than in previous months. Tariff-related
uncertainty remains a key factor in the months ahead, underscoring the
importance of maintaining stable conditions that enable airlines in the region
to fully capture global demand,” said the official.
In this
regard, Brazil, Mexico, and other Latin American countries are increasingly
looking for new markets. These are primarily Europe and China/the APAC region.
Martin Drew, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at Atlas Air, announced
at the recent Caspian Air Cargo Summit on 23SEP25 in Baku, Azerbaijan, that his
company will operate a B747-400 freighter between China and Lima, Peru, for the
first time, offering the market three frequencies a week. Prior to that
decision, the United States capacity provider had already reached agreements
with Cainiao and LATAM Cargo on joint e-commerce shipments between China and
several destinations in South America.
Secondary
markets report mixed results
Argentina and Panama which together account for around 10% of the region’s
total air cargo volume, posted the largest year-on-year increases in JUL25,
with Argentina’s volumes up 18.2%, surpassed by Panama’s 21%.
This trend
is contrasted by Chile, where international air cargo contracted by 8.4%
year-on-year, with flows to the United States marking their seventh consecutive
monthly decline (–10.5% year-on-year in JUL25). Further north, Peru recorded a
13% year-on-year increase, boosted by higher volumes from Colombia (+32%) and
Panama (+96%). Ecuador remained virtually unchanged compared to JUL24, posting
a marginal gain of 0.03% year-on-year.
Costa
Rica, the region’s second-largest market after Panama, posted a 27.4%
year-on-year increase in JUL25, handling a total of 9,847 tons. El Salvador
also grew, with volumes up 8.3% year-on-year to 3,500 tons.
Stable
capacity provision
In JUL25, cargo aircraft capacity to and from Latin American/Caribbean
increased slightly compared to JUN25, with just over 887 million ton-kilometers
(+0.3% year-on-year).
B747Fs
accounted for 37.1% of this capacity, while B767-P2Fs recorded the largest
year-on-year increase (+64.3%), mainly due to LATAM Cargo’s decision to expand
its fleet with additional B767 freighter aircraft. Currently, the carrier
operates a uniform freighter fleet of 19 B763F.
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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