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 February
20, 2025
Today’s Exchange Rates
|
CURRENCY▲ |
PRICE |
CHANGE |
%CHANGE |
OPEN |
PREV.CLOSE |
DAY's LOW-HIGH |
|
90.67 |
0.020004 |
0.022058 |
90.65 |
90.69 |
90.5925- 90.72 |
|
|
1.1763 |
-0.0092 |
-0.776042 |
1.1855 |
1.1855 |
1.1742- 1.1808 |
|
|
122.2956 |
-0.946899 |
-0.768322 |
122.3591 |
123.2425 |
122.2956- 122.3591 |
|
|
107.3502 |
-0.074501 |
-0.069352 |
107.3991 |
107.4247 |
107.2604- 107.4778 |
|
|
155.12 |
1.809998 |
1.180613 |
153.31 |
153.31 |
154.545- 155.344 |
|
|
1.3458 |
-0.011 |
-0.810725 |
1.3568 |
1.3568 |
1.3434- 1.3517 |
|
|
97.75 |
0.595001 |
0.612425 |
97.728 |
97.155 |
97.662- 97.76 |
|
|
0.585 |
-0.0072 |
-1.215806 |
0.5861 |
0.5922 |
0.5849- 0.5862 |
/// Sea Cargo News ///
Maersk
introduces PSS from Asia to India, Nepal and Sri Lanka
Maersk has announced the implementation of a Peak Season Surcharges (PSS) covering shipments from a wide range of Asian origins to India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, with effect from February 25, 2026 and is valid until further notice.
The surcharge applied to cargo originating from China,
Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand,
Myanmar, the Philippines, Brunei, Hong Kong-China, Taiwan-China, South Korea
and Timor Leste.
The destinations covered include Kattupalli and Visakhapatnam in India as well as Nepa and Sri Lanka. The PSS will be charges at USD 300 per container, applicable to all container types.
For non spot bookings, the surcharge will be calculated
based on the Price Calculation Date (PCD). For non-FMC trades, the PCD refers
to the scheduled departure date of the first water leg at the time of booking
confirmation. For FMS trades, it refers to the last container gate-in date for
non-spot bookings.
For spot bookings, the surcharge will be determined
based on the first vessel’s estimated time of departure at booking
confirmation. Maersk noted that the surcharge remains subject to other
applicable local and contingency charges and does not affect any tariff filed
in accordance with local regulatory requirements.
CMA CGM
updated FAK rates from Indian Subcontinent
CMA CGM has announced new Freight All Kinds (FAK) rates for dry cargo shipments from the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East Gulf to North Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa. The revised rates will take effect from March 01, 2026 and remain valid until further notice from the carrier.
For shipments originating from North West India, the new rates are set at USD 2,700 per 20Ft container and USD 2,700 per 40-foot container to both North Europe and the Mediterranean. Cargo destined for North Africa will be charged at USD 3,700 for both 20ft and 40ft Container. These rates will apply based on the gate-in date at the origin ports.
For cargo originating from Pakistan, South East India
and Sri Lanka, the same rate levels will apply. Shipments to North Europe and
the Mediterranean will be charged at USD 2,700 for both 20ft and 40ft
Container, while cargo to North Africa will be subject to USD 3,700 for both 20
and 40ft Container. These rates will
apply based on the sailing date from origin ports.
HJSC
secures order for two 10,100 TEU container ships
HJ Shipbuilding & Construction has signed a KRW 353.2 billion contract with a European shipowner to build two 10,100 TEU eco-friendly container ships. The deal includes options for two additional vessels.
The order marks a milestone for HJSC’s
Yeongdo Shipyard. Container ships exceeding 10,000 TEU have never been built at
the 90 year old facility. The vessels will feature advanced hull designs and
high fuel efficiency to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. The ships will be equipped with scrubber
systems to comply with International Maritime Organization environmental
regulations.
HJSC has overcome physical limitations at its
Yeongdo facility through engineering innovation. In 2004, the company pioneered
a “DAM technique” using a temporary watertight barrier to build a 325 meter,
8,000 TEU container ship in a 300 meter dock. The shipbuilder has continued
advancing its capabilities. Last year, it delivered 9,000 TEU methanol-fuelled
container ship without using the DAM approach.
The new order comes from a repeat customer.
The European shipowner previously placed container ship orders with HJSC. The
repeat business reflects confidence in the company’s quality and execution
capabilities.
HJSC has focused on developing mid-sized
eco-friendly container ships in recent years. The strategy aims to secure
stable workloads in a segment where the company holds expertise. All designs
have been optimized for the Yeongdo dock.
Ship
captain denies deliberate damage to Finnish infrastructure
The captain of a container ship that
allegedly damaged an undersea cable in Finnish waters is claiming trial to
accusations of maliciously damaging the infrastructure.
Wan Wenguo, the 43 year old Chinese national
who was at the helm of the Newnew Polar Bear, a 2005 built 1638 TEU vessel in
the fleet of Russia-focused Chinese line Yangpu Newnew Shipping, on 11 February
pleaded not guilty to one count of criminal damage and to the two charges
received from Hong Kong’s Marine Department. Hong Kong courts are trying the
case as the ship was Hong Kong flagged at the time of the incident in October
2023.
CK
Hutchison warns Maersk over Panama terminals
CK Hutchison Holdings Limited has formally
warned A. P. Moller – Maersk A/S that any move by APM Terminals to assume
control of two Panama Port terminals without its consent would trigger legal
action and claims for damages.
The warning comes as a part of a widening
dispute between CKHH and the Republic of Panama over the future of Panama Ports
Company S.A., an indirect subsidiary of CKHH that operates the ports of Balboa and Cristobal.
The company warned that if publication of the Supreme Court ruling results in termination of PPC’s concession, operations at the Balboa and Cristobal terminals would become impossible. At the stage, CKHH said continued port operations depend entirely on decisions by the Panamanian authorities, which are outside the control of CKHH, HPH and PPC.
Chongqing
launches Tel Aviv cargo route, expands Europe freight links
A new cargo air route between Chongqing in
western China and Tel Aviv in Israel has begun operations, and while it may
sound like just another flight announcement, it signals something much bigger.
On January 28, 2026, Suparna Airlines officially launched the Chongqing–Tel
Aviv all-cargo service using a Boeing 777 freighter.
The aircraft will operate two flights a week,
carrying up to 103 tonnes of goods over a distance of 9,200 kilometres. The
cargo on board will largely include cross-border e-commerce shipments,
automotive parts, medical equipment and other commercial goods. In simple
terms, this route creates a direct freight bridge between western China and the
Middle East.
Until now, Chongqing did not have a dedicated
all-cargo connection to this region. Goods often had to be routed through other
Chinese cities or foreign hubs, adding time and cost. The new service closes
that gap and allows exporters to move cargo faster and more directly.
The Tel Aviv launch is not an isolated
development. It comes at a time when Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
(CKG) is steadily building an international freighter network. As of January
30, the airport is operating three long-haul all-cargo routes linking Chongqing
with Europe and the Middle East.
These include Suparna Airlines’ services to
Liège in Belgium and Tel Aviv in Israel, and China Cargo Airlines’ route to
Budapest in Hungary. Chongqing is one of China’s largest manufacturing centres.
The city produces electronics, vehicles, auto components and industrial
equipment, much of which is destined for overseas markets. Unlike coastal
cities such as Shanghai or Guangzhou, Chongqing is located deep inland.
For exporters here, air freight is not a
luxury but a necessity. Direct cargo flights reduce reliance on road and rail
connections to distant ports and help manufacturers reach global markets more
efficiently. In recent years, Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport has
increasingly focused on cargo rather than passenger traffic. The rise of
cross-border e-commerce has played a major role in this shift.
Online sellers require stable, predictable
capacity and fast delivery times. Dedicated freighter aircraft, unlike
passenger planes, can carry heavier loads, operate longer routes and remain
unaffected by fluctuations in passenger demand. The airport’s expanding cargo
network reflects this reality.
By linking Chongqing directly with key
logistics hubs in Europe and the Middle East, the airport is shortening supply
chains and making western China more competitive in international trade. Europe
remains a central pillar of this strategy. The Chongqing–Liège route operated
by Suparna Airlines connects the city with one of Europe’s most important cargo
airports. Liège has built its reputation as a freight-focused hub, handling
large volumes of e-commerce and express shipments.
Its location allows cargo to reach major
European markets such as Germany, France and the Netherlands within hours by
road. For Chinese exporters, this route offers fast access to Western Europe
without the congestion often seen at larger passenger-heavy airports. Also Read
- CargoPoint: Powering the new China–Europe corridor via Uzbekistan.
At the same time, the Chongqing–Budapest
service operated by China Cargo Airlines strengthens links with Central and
Eastern Europe. Budapest has emerged as a growing cargo gateway, serving not
only Hungary but also neighbouring markets across the region.
The route supports the flow of high-value
manufactured goods and e-commerce shipments into Europe’s emerging consumer
markets, complementing connections to Western Europe. The addition of Tel Aviv
now extends Chongqing’s cargo reach beyond Europe. Israel acts as a gateway to
the Middle East and has strong demand for high-value and time-sensitive goods,
particularly in the medical, technology and automotive sectors.
The direct all-cargo service allows
Chongqing’s manufacturers and online sellers to tap into this market more
efficiently, while also opening onward connections to neighbouring regions.
Taken together, the three routes form a clear pattern. Liège links Chongqing to
Western Europe, Budapest opens doors to Central and Eastern Europe, and Tel
Aviv connects the city to the Middle East. This is not just route expansion. It
is network building. As trade patterns evolve and speed becomes critical,
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport is quietly reshaping its role in
global logistics, one freighter route at a time.
Lufthansa
Cargo operates most freighter flights despite strike
Lufthansa Cargo said it had been able to
operate most of its freighter flights, despite strike action taken by its
pilots on Thursday 12 February.
The airline said earlier this week that due
to the nearly 24-hour strike organised by the pilots’ union Vereinigung Cockpit
(VC), cargo capacity and volumes out of Frankfurt Airport (FRA) could be
affected.
However, Lufthansa Cargo confirmed in a
statement to Air Cargo News today that 13 out of 16
freighter flights took place during the strike period.
“With our own dedicated freighter flight schedule, we were able to
soften the impact of the Vereinigung Cockpit union’s short-notice strike
announcement for our customers considerably.
“With scheduled flights, rescheduled flights and fights operated by
volunteer crews, Lufthansa Cargo was able to conduct 13 of the 16 planned
services ex FRA (81%). Unfortunately, a total of three freighter flights (19%)
could not be operated as planned.
“We regret the impact, especially for our customers, with whom we work
closely together and who expect reliable transport solutions from us.
“We are therefore doing everything we can to minimise further effects of
the Vereinigung Cockpit strike on our operations.”
Lufthansa Cargo had said in an operating
update earlier in the week: “Depending on the level of strike participation and
resulting flight cancellations, only limited cargo volumes may be available for
shipments on 12 February.”
However, the cargo business of Lufthansa had
also stated that all Lufthansa Cargo flights scheduled to land in Frankfurt on
12 February were due to operate as planned and eight freighter flights out of
FRA were due to take place, meaning more flights took place than predicted.
These eight flights were to Istanbul, Turkey
(IST); Armenia (EVN); Morocco (CMN); Chicago, US (ORD); New York, US (JFK);
Taipei, Taiwan(TPE); Malta (MLA); and Dublin (DUB).
In March last year, Lufthansa Cargo’s
operations were impacted by strikes at airports
across Germany.
Flower
demand boost UIO and BOG air cargo charter flights
The Valentine’s Day flower peak season has
seen the number of air cargo charter flights out of Colombia and Ecuador rise
rapidly over the last few weeks.
Figures from consultant Aevean show that the
amount of cargo charter capacity operating out of key flower hubs Bogotá and
Quito increased from 19% of overall cargo capacity from the two airports in
week one of 2026 to 45% in week six as demand for flowers ramped up.
The figures also suggest an increase in
overall demand out of the two hubs, with weekly cargo capacity up 16% year on
year in week six to 30,000 tonnes. In week one, capacity was up by 1% year on
year.
The increased capacity is reflected in
Avianca Cargo’s flower demand levels on routes between Latin America and the
US.
Earlier this week, Colombia-headquartered
Avianca said that its flower volumes over the 22-day Valentine’s period were up 6% year on
year to
more than 19,000 tons – its highest in five years.
The carrier operated a total of almost 320
cargo flights during the season, moving flowers from Ecuador and Colombia to
its US stations in Miami and Los Angeles.
The airline said that to meet the surge in
demand, it had increased its workforce by more than 30%, doubled its cargo
capacity from Colombia and tripled its capacity from Ecuador.
Meanwhile, LATAM Cargo moved 24,300 tons of
flowers from Colombia and Ecuador to the US and Europe. This was slightly down on the
25,000 tons the airline reported in 2025.
Of the total volume transported,
approximately 12,000 tons originated in Ecuador, while more than 12,300 tons
were shipped from Colombia. The group deployed approximately 430 flights from
Bogotá, Medellín, and Quito.
My
Freighter signs interline agreement with China Southern
My Freighter has signed an interline
agreement with China Southern Airlines to strengthen air cargo connectivity
between Central Asia and China.
Uzbekistan-based cargo airline My Freighter
said the interline agreement would create new opportunities for trade flows
between the two regions.
“By combining My Freighter’s regional
expertise with China Southern’ s extensive domestic and international network,
the partnership enhances access to key industrial and commercial hubs across
China and beyond,” said the airline. “The interline framework enables seamless
cargo transfers between both carriers, offering expanded routing options,
improved flexibility, and more efficient logistics solutions for customers
operating in the Central Asia–China corridor.”
My Freighter signed a number of interline
agreements last year and this latest agreement further supports its strategy to
build stronger international partnerships and its aim to position itself as a
reliable bridge between Central Asia and major global markets.
In December last year, My Freighter entered
into a new interline agreement
with Cargojet to
provide its partners and customers with access to the Canadian logistics
market and strengthen cargo connectivity between Central Asia and North
America. Throughout 2025, the airline also entered interline partnerships
with Aeromexico, Icelandair
Cargo, Biman
Bangladesh Airlines,
and Air
Serbia.
My Freighter has eight 767-300Fs. Seven of
the freighters are passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions and one is a
production freighter. In March 2025, My Freighter also added a 757-200P2F to
its fleet.
In addition, the airline has a passenger
fleet consisting of Airbus A319, A320, A321 and A330 models.
Liege
Airport’s CargoLand opens renovated live animal facility
Liege Airport (LGG) has officially
inaugurated its newly renovated vet facility for the sanitary inspection and
quarantine of live animals transiting through the airport.
The “Vet Center” is part of the airport’s
“CargoLand” hub, which is currently in
development and
is expected to be fully completed by 2040.
Forming a critical control point within the
airport’s live animal logistics chain, the vet facility ensures that every
animal entering or leaving LGG complies fully with animal health and
biosecurity regulations.
All live animals passing through the airport
are subject to stringent veterinary inspection, safeguarding both animal
welfare and the integrity of cross-border trade.
The renovated vet facility now features fully
equipped inspection zones and an isolated quarantine area, enabling
veterinarians to manage animals requiring observation or additional testing
without interrupting ongoing operations.
This configuration allows parallel processing
of multiple consignments while maintaining strict biosecurity and operational
continuity.
Designed to accommodate a wide variety of
species and scenarios, the facility supports the veterinary services of the
Belgian Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (AFSCA) in performing
detailed sanitary inspections, including health status checks, documentation
control, and transport condition assessments.
In 2025, the facility processed 3,766 equids
(which include horses, donkeys and zebras), in addition to diversified live
shipments such as ornamental fish, insects, and small mammals.
“The renovation of the Vet Center was driven
by very concrete sanitary and operational realities,” said Frédéric Brun, head
of commercial cargo & logistics at Liege Airport.
“We are handling increasing volumes and more
complex live animal movements. This upgraded infrastructure enables us to
strengthen veterinary control capacity and maintain the highest standards of
animal health and welfare.”
In addition to the Vet Center, Liege Airport also handles a large number of horses through its Horse Inn, capable of accommodating up to 12,000 horses per year in secure, controlled conditions.
Equitrans
utilises 777Fs for horse transport
Equitrans Logistics has coordinated the
transport of 55 competition horses for the Abu Dhabi leg of the Longines League
of Nations.
Equitrans utilised two dedicated long-haul
charter flights into the UAE to transport the horses for 10 teams comprising
Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, the
Netherlands, Switzerland and the US.
The two flights arrived at Dubai World
Central (DWC) on 7 February and 8 February from Amsterdam, operated out of
Europe using Boeing 777 freighters.
Equitrans will also manage the road
transportation of 35 horses from Sharjah to Abu Dhabi, supporting the
additional international classes running alongside the main Longines League of
Nations.
Following the conclusion of the event,
Equitrans will oversee coordinated departures on 16 February, which include two
777 flights from the UAE back to Europe.
It is the third consecutive year that
Equitrans Logistics has contracted by the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation
to manage horse transport for the event.
In a joint statement, David Robson, managing
director, and Ryan Azzie, operations manager, at Equitrans Logistics, said:
“Events of this scale demand meticulous planning and absolute precision. From
coordinating the charter flights to managing the road transport, our focus is
always on efficiency, welfare and reliability.”
Mohammed Al Nakhi, showjumping committee
manager of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, added: “The movement of
horses for an event of this scale requires a company with experience and
consistency at the highest level. We’re delighted to partner with Equitrans
once again.”
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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