JUPITER SEA & AIR SERVICES PVT. LTD, EGMORE – CHENNAI, INDIA.
E-MAIL : Robert.sands@jupiterseaair.co.in Mobile : +91 98407 85202
Corporate News
Letter for Wednesday April 01,
2026
Today’s
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/// Sea Cargo News ///
INS
Anjadip commissioning to boost India’s littoral defense capabilities, says
GlobalData
INS Anjadip has recently been commissioned into the Indian Navy, marking a significant advancement in India’s coastal defence posture. Aimed at thwarting Chinese and Pakistani submarine intrusion, INS Anjadip and her sister vessels are poised to substantially enhance India’s anti-submarine warfare coverage in the littoral zones, closing capability gaps and improving responsiveness along its maritime boundary, says GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.
The cost of
each Arnala-class vessel is estimated at around $118.8 million. The
report highlights how India is channeling funds to modernize its littoral
defense capabilities by procuring naval platforms designed to intercept and
neutralize surface and subsurface threats in shallow coastal environments.
INS Anjadip
is part of an eight-vessel Arnala-class shallow-water anti-submarine warfare
(ASW) craft project built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE)
in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro.
Samiya
Toufeeque, Aerospace and Defense Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “By inducting
the second vessel of its class, India continues to demonstrate growing
technological innovation and strategic self-reliance in the shipbuilding
sector.
The vessels’
high rate of indigenisation strengthens the defense supply chain, mitigating
exposure to external disruptions and geopolitical risks. Coupled with
government policies aimed at equipping these vessels with indigenous
subsystems, these procurements are expected to drive growth across several
associated industrial sectors in the country.”
Toufeeque
concludes: “As the ongoing conflict in the Middle East escalates, the risk of
regional spillover is increasing, and India is likely to take necessary
measures to safeguard its territorial borders along the Arabian Sea. This could
lead to the deployment of ASW platforms such as INS Anjadip to deter any
hostile submarine activities closer to the country’s shores.”
KR Publishes Research Report on Safety Considerations for Hydrogen-Fueled Ships
The publication comes amid
growing international efforts to establish regulatory frameworks for hydrogen
as a marine fuel. At the 11th session of the International Maritime
Organization’s Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (IMO CCC),
draft interim guidelines for the safety of ships using hydrogen as fuel were
developed. The guidelines are expected to receive final approval at the 111th
session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), scheduled for May
2026.
Hydrogen, which emits no carbon
during combustion, is gaining attention as a promising alternative fuel for
maritime decarbonization. It can also serve as a feedstock for producing other
alternative fuels such as methanol, suggesting that hydrogen-based fuel supply
chains are likely to expand in the future. As international trade and
transportation of hydrogen increase, demand for hydrogen carriers and
hydrogen-fueled ships is also expected to
grow.
However, hydrogen presents
several safety challenges due to its unique physical and chemical properties.
These include high flammability and explosion risks, hydrogen embrittlement,
and the need for extreme storage conditions compared with conventional marine
fuels.
For safe onboard storage and use,
hydrogen must be handled either as compressed hydrogen or liquefied hydrogen.
This requires storage under extremely high pressures—hundreds of times
atmospheric pressure—or at cryogenic temperatures of approximately −253°C. As a
result, ensuring the safety and reliability of hydrogen fuel containment
systems, fuel supply systems, and related onboard infrastructure has become a
key technical priority.
To support the commercialization
of hydrogen as a marine fuel and enhance industry understanding of its safety
implications, KR developed the report as a technical reference for the maritime
sector. The publication provides an overview of maritime hydrogen systems,
analyzes hydrogen-related accident cases, identifies key hazards and mitigation
strategies, and reviews relevant international regulations.
KIM Daeheon, Executive Vice
President of KR, stated, “We hope this research will serve as a
useful reference for industry, academia, and research institutions involved in
the development of hydrogen-fueled ships. We will continue to support our
customers and the maritime industry by advancing technology development and
sharing the latest technical knowledge to help address evolving environmental
regulations.” The report is available to
the public on the KR website (www.krs.co.kr).
USCG
issues RFI for new HSC-L light icebreaker class
The service
has now released a Request for Information (RFI) seeking industry input on the
new class, which will replace both the USCG’s 65-foot light icebreaking tugs
(WYTLs), commissioned into service between 1961-1967, and its 49-foot buoy
utility stern loading boats (BUSLs) with a single, dual-capability platform,,
The new
HSC-Ls will be equipped with aids to navigation (ATON) capabilities. This means
they can perform vital tasks such as quickly restoring damaged or missing
navigational aids after storms or accidents. The new vessels will be
designed to operate efficiently in a variety of ice conditions, providing safe
passage and navigation for vessels of all sizes.
Drone strike hits sanctioned tanker off Istanbul
The 163,800
dwt Altura was struck around 15 nautical miles from the
Bosphorus after departing Russia’s Novorossiysk port, according to Turkish
media.
Initial
reports indicate the vessel, carrying around 140,000 tonnes of crude, suffered
damage to its bridge and engine room, with water ingress reported. The ship was
left immobilised northeast of the Turkish Straits.
A distress
call from the vessel’s captain described a critical situation onboard, with key
systems down and flooding in the engine room. Despite the damage, all 27
crewmembers are reported safe.
Turkish
authorities moved quickly to respond, dispatching coast guard units, patrol
boats and specialist emergency response vessels to assist. Transport and
Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu told local media there were no
injuries and confirmed technical teams had been sent to the scene.
The cause of
the attack has not been officially confirmed, but early indications point to
the use of unmanned systems. Authorities said it may have involved a drone or
an unmanned maritime vehicle.
The
2005-built Altura, sailing under the Sierra Leone flag, has been sanctioned by
the EU and the UK and has been linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet. The
vessel is managed by Turkey’s Pergamon Denizcilik Isletmeleri and is owned via
Sea Grace Shipping, registered in St Kitts & Nevis, according to Equasis
data.
The tanker
has changed hands several times in recent years, previously trading as Besiktas
Dardanelles before being sold in 2024 and later acquired by
Istanbul-based interests and renamed Altura.
Attacks on
tankers in the Black Sea are often linked to Ukrainian drone boats and UAVs,
though Kyiv has not claimed responsibility for this incident.
The latest
strike follows a string of Ukrainian attacks on Russian export infrastructure
flagged by Splash, including hits on the Ust-Luga terminal and the
Baltic port of Primorsk. Those incidents, targeting key crude loading hubs,
signalled a widening campaign against Russia’s oil logistics chain — now
increasingly spilling over to tankers trading out of its ports.
U.S.
Opens Massive $2.4 Billion “Factory Of The Future” To Boost Nuclear Submarine
Production
The site, built by Hadrian, will produce key components for nuclear submarines and help speed up construction. The facility is spread across 2.2 million square feet and is designed as a highly automated production unit. It will manufacture parts for Virginia-class submarines and Columbia-class submarines.
The total
investment in the project is more than $2.4 billion, including $900 million
from the US Navy and over $1.5 billion from private investors. The company says
the project could create up to 1,000 well-paying jobs.
US officials
said the goal is to reduce pressure on existing shipyards. At present,
shipyards in places like Rhode Island, Connecticut and Virginia handle both
component production and final assembly.
By shifting
component manufacturing to this new facility, those shipyards can focus more on
building submarine sections, which could speed up overall delivery.
John C.
Phelan said the investment will help rebuild the country’s shipbuilding
strength and bring more manufacturing jobs back.
Officials
also described the plan as “distributed shipbuilding,” where different parts of
the production process are handled at separate locations to avoid
delays.
Jason Potter
said these types of factories can take on work that would otherwise slow down
shipyards, helping submarines get delivered faster. The US Navy has been
facing delays in submarine production for several years due to limited capacity
and workforce shortages.
This new
facility is expected to ease some of those issues. The company also said its
automated systems will make it easier to train workers and improve
efficiency.
The facility
is expected to reach full production in about 18 to 24 months. During this
time, the company will complete equipment setup, testing, and certification
processes. By the third year, the site is expected to run at a steady
pace, supplying components for submarine
programs.
Lawmakers
said the project will also support the local economy. Robert Aderholt said the
investment will bring jobs and growth to the region while strengthening the
defence sector.
Activists
Hound MSC Ships Accused of Transporting Raw Material for Military
A group of
protestors aligned with the BDS movement (boycott, divestment, and sanctions)
launched a new effort this week, hounding MSC Mediterranean Shipping
containerships, which they allege are transporting raw materials for the
Israeli military. They were calling on trade unions, civil society, and
political parties to join an effort to pressure the governments and authorities
from Italy to Greece to Spain to respond to the alleged shipments.
The group
was targeting two of the company’s vessels operating in the Mediterranean.
The MSC Vega was traveling to Greece, Turkey, Italy, and
Spain. The MSC Danit was arriving in the Mediterranean from
India and making calls in Portugal and Egypt.
The
allegations were that the MSC Danit had about eight
containers, which they claimed were carrying Indian steel bound for armament
manufacturers in Israel. They also asserted that a previous shipment had
consisted of 23 containers carrying 600 tons of military steel.
The
activists claimed that they were successful in prompting a cargo inspection in
Italy. They also said the Greek dockworkers had said they would not handle any
containers with military cargo bound for Israel.
The MSC
Danit arrived in Israel on March 23, but the local authorities declined to
comment on any action that might be taken.
The same
issue has hounded the shipping companies in recent years, including after
Israel started its attacks in Gaza. Activists targeted a series of ships that
they also said were carrying explosives or other military-related cargo.
Several
Maersk Line Ltd. ships, which operate with U.S. government contracts to move
cargo, had diverted from planned calls in Spain when activists claimed they
were carrying military equipment to Israel. The U.S. Federal Maritime
Commission reported it was investigating the instances and could penalize
Spain.
Shareholders
of AP Moller Maersk were also confronted with the issue as activist
shareholders placed issues on the company’s shareholder ballot. Shareholder
activist group Kritiske Aktionærer filed a proposal in 2025 to stop Maersk from
shipping military cargoes to Israel. It was voted down by the
shareholders.
The group
filed a new proposal in 2026 saying that the company must stop all shipments of
military equipment, including parts for F-35 fighter jets, to Israel.
Maersk
responded that it transports military equipment, including for NATO countries,
in compliance with regulations, international standards, and commitments, with
increased levels of due diligence in conflict-affected areas.
The board
did not support the proposal, and the results of today’s shareholder meeting
confirmed that the resolution was again voted down by the shareholders.
US airline CEOs urge pay protection during shutdowns
Top US airline executives have called on
Congress to guarantee pay for aviation workers during government shutdowns,
warning that unpaid staff could disrupt air travel. The letter was signed by
leaders from both passenger and cargo carriers, including Michael Steen, CEO,
Atlas Air Worldwide; Richard Smith, COO International & CEO Airline, FedEx
and Nando Cesarone, EVP & President US, UPS; representing the three major
cargo operators.
Passenger airline signatories include Scott
Kirby of United Airlines, Ed Bastian of Delta Air Lines, Robert Isom of
American Airlines, Joanna Geraghty of JetBlue Airways, Ben Minicucci of Alaska
Air Group, Bob Jordan of Southwest Airlines, and Christopher T. Sununu of
Airlines for America. In a letter dated March 15, 2026, the CEOs said workers
such as TSA officers, air traffic controllers and customs staff must be paid
even when the government shuts down.
They urged lawmakers to pass laws that
guarantee salaries for these employees. Also Read - Challenge Group wins
auction for two more Jet Airways B777-300ERs The airline leaders said shutdowns
have already caused long queues, delays and flight cancellations. They added
that the situation is likely to get worse if workers continue to go unpaid.
They also said most Americans support paying aviation workers during shutdowns.
At the same time, many believe that long wait times at airport security will
increase if the issue is not addressed. The CEOs warned that the problem is
becoming more serious as travel demand rises. With spring break, the FIFA World
Cup 2026 and celebrations for America’s 250th year, airlines expect a large
number of passengers.
However, travellers are already facing long
waits at security checkpoints, sometimes between two and four hours. Airlines
said they are trying to reduce disruption by holding flights for late
passengers and rebooking travellers, but these steps have limits.
The CEOs also pointed out that TSA officers
recently received no pay during shutdown conditions, calling the situation
unacceptable. They said it is important for the government to act quickly to
support aviation workers, keep air travel running smoothly, and ensure
passengers and cargo reach their destinations safely.
WFS cuts truck waiting times at Milan Malpensa cargo hub
Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has
significantly reduced average truck waiting times at its cargo terminal at
Milan Malpensa Airport through a locally developed digital solution and
operational changes. The improvement has been achieved using an SMS-based
system that assigns trucks to warehouse gates, enabling clearer communication
with drivers and more efficient handling of import and export cargo. At Milan
Malpensa, around 28,000 trucks are processed each year.
To support this volume, WFS redesigned the
front of its warehouse and created dedicated truck parking areas to improve the
flow of vehicles. As a result, the average processing time per truck has been
reduced to 48 minutes. Around 45 per cent of truck visits are now completed
within 30 minutes, while 75 per cent are handled within one hour.
Only 10 per cent of operations exceed the
airport’s key performance indicators during peak periods. WFS is also promoting
the use of its CargoKiosk technology to further simplify and digitalise truck
and driver processing. The system helps speed up document handling, saving time
for drivers and improving productivity for logistics companies.
The company has also introduced a dock
coordination office at the airport and plans further investments to improve
vehicle flow and operations in cooperation with the airport authority.
According to WFS, continuous performance
monitoring and daily reporting remain central to maintaining service
improvements, increasing throughput, and enhancing customer satisfaction
through more consistent and timely operations.
Hactl rolls out 100% closed-loop recycled plastic sheets for cargo ops
Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl)
has introduced 100% closed-loop recycled plastic sheets across its cargo
operations, marking what the company states is a first for the global air cargo
terminal sector. The development is positioned as part of the company’s
transition toward circular material use in handling processes. Hactl began
integrating recycled plastic sheets into its operations in 2022.
At the time, the sheets contained between 30
and 50% recycled content. The company has since worked to eliminate the use of
virgin plastic in these materials, moving toward a fully recycled solution for
routine cargo handling applications. The latest phase of the initiative was
carried out in collaboration with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute
(NAMI).
The two organisations developed plastic
sheets manufactured entirely from post-consumer plastic sheet waste generated
within Hactl’s own operations. The solution is designed as a closed-loop
system, where used materials are recovered, processed, and reintroduced into
the supply chain without reliance on new plastic inputs.
The company stated that the new sheets are
being deployed immediately across its operations, with potential for wider
industry adoption. The approach aims to create a replicable model for other
cargo handlers seeking to reduce material waste and improve recycling rates
within logistics environments.
The shift is expected to reduce demand for
virgin plastic in cargo handling processes, particularly in the wrapping of
aircraft pallets. As a high-volume handler, Hactl processes significant
quantities of cargo daily, giving it influence over material choices within its
operational ecosystem.
Amy Lam, Chief Sustainability Officer of
Hactl, said: “Our existing plastic sheets already contained 30-50% recycled
material, but we wanted to accelerate our full transition to the circular
economy and bring tangible benefits to industry and society at large, and the
new 100% closed-loop recycled plastic sheets enable us to achieve that goal.”
Lam added that the company’s position within
the air cargo sector allows it to shape material usage practises and improve
recycling outcomes. “We believe there is huge scope to improve the air cargo
industry’s performance in this area. By incorporating a higher proportion of
recycled content into our plastic sheets, we can achieve closed-loop recycling,
significantly reduce the carbon footprint of our industry and keep thousands of
tonnes of non-biodegradable plastic out of our landfills.”
The initiative comes as the air cargo
industry faces increasing pressure to address environmental impacts linked to
packaging materials and ground handling operations. While much of the sector’s
sustainability focus has centred on fuel and emissions, material use and waste
management are emerging as key areas of intervention.
Hactl indicated that its closed-loop model
could support broader adoption of recycled materials across cargo terminals,
airlines, and logistics providers. The company stated that scaling such
solutions could contribute to reducing landfill waste and improving resource
efficiency across the supply chain.
Boeing 777-8 freighter mid-fuselage and wings come together
Production of Boeing’s 777-8 freighter has
hit a milestone as assembly teams have brought the 777-8F’s mid-fuselage
together with its composite wings. The joining of the mid-fuselage and the
composite wings, which span 235 feet (72 meters) is known as a wing-body join.
As major sections for the first 777-8F
entered Boeing’s Everett complex in Washington, US, assembly installer Pedro
Landa said: “This is something to be proud of. It’s a whole new freighter that
our customers are excited about, and we’re excited to be building something
brand new.”
Boeing’s teams at its 777/777X final assembly
facility in Everett, Washington, have also began outfitting forward and aft
fuselage sections with systems and wiring.
We’re building on the success of the legacy 777 Freighter,” said Jens Biemann, design engineer lead. “This is going to be an airplane that will help customers be successful in their businesses.”
Marion Lockhart photo © Boeing
Boeing started
production on the 777-8F in July 2025. The 777-8F was originally
anticipated to come to market in 2027, but in October 2024, Boeing announced it
would delay launch until 2028.
Tim Stake © BoeingThe 777-8F has won 68 orders from customers
worldwide since Boeing launched the programme in 2022 with Qatar Airways as the launch customer.
Meanwhile, in December, Air Cargo
News reported that Boeing is seeking an emissions exemption from the
US Department of Transportation (DOT) to enable it to continue selling 777
freighters beyond the end of 2027 and bridge the gap until its 777-8F comes to
market.
Cargo capacity continues to close in on last year’s levels
Image: © Shane Hoggatt/ ShutterstockAir cargo capacity on a global level has
continued to edge its way back to the levels registered a year ago following
the grounding of operations in the Middle East, according to the latest figures
from consultant Aevean.
The company yesterday released figures
showing that international air cargo capacity on a global basis was last week
just 2% down on the levels recorded in the same period last year.
At the height of the crisis, cargo capacity
had been around 20% down on last year’s levels as carriers faced airspace
closures across the Middle East.
Since then, affected airlines in the Middle
East have been gradually restarting operations. Most recently, the
world’s largest air cargo carrier, Qatar Airways Cargo, announced an
increase in cargo operations.
Starting from 21 March, the carrier began
offering a freighter schedule covering destinations in Vietnam, China,
Thailand, South Korea, Nigeria, Kenya, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, the
US, Brazil, Ecuador and Panama.
However, there are nuances to the data
provided by Aevean.
While cargo capacity is currently only down 2% compared with a year ago, data for January and February showed that air cargo capacity before the eruption of fighting in the Middle East had been up by 5.4% year on year in response to demand increases of around 6-7%.
Image: ©This shows that while capacity is narrowing
in on the year-ago level, it may still be lagging behind the demand increases
experienced so far this year and, as a result, put pressure on load factors.
Elsewhere, the data from Aevean also shows
that capacity into and out of the Middle East continues to lag far behind last
year’s levels.
The consultant’s figures show that capacity
from Asia Pacific into the region is down 24% year on year, while from the
Middle East to Europe, there is a 15% decline.
In contrast, carriers have been shifting
capacity on services from Asia Pacific to Europe to make up for the shortfall
heading to Europe via the Middle East. Aevean’s
figures show a 31% increase in capacity from Asia Pacific to Europe.
Hugo
Boss looks to reduce reliance on airfreight
Image: Shutterstock © StrikerniaClothing brand Hugo Boss is looking to
further reduce its reliance on airfreight as part of efforts to cut both costs
and emissions.In its 2025 annual report, the German fashion giant said that
last year it had reduced its reliance on airfreight, which it said highlighted
its “commitment to balancing cost efficiency with operational excellence, while
at the same time emphasising sustainable sourcing practices”.
Looking ahead, the company said it is
committed to continuing to reduce airfreight dependence while ensuring on-time
product availability. “We strive to further optimise freight modes through a
seafreight-first approach,” the company said. “Already in recent years, Hugo
Boss has successfully reduced its reliance on airfreight with a further
reduction targeted going forward,” the company’s annual report read.
Speaking on an investor call, chief financial
and chief operating officer Yves Müller explained that the company was hoping
that the push to seafreight would help improve gross margins.
Müller said that the company’s use of
airfreight was currently at “high single-digit” levels but the aim was to get
this figure down further.
“Airfreight should be kind of an exception
going forward, and this is also a positive driver of the gross margin,” Müller
said. Fashion brands often rely on airfreight for new product launches as they
rush to get products to market.
Extended ocean shipping transit times from
Asia and higher costs, as a result of container shipping lines needing to take
a longer route around southern Africa, is likely to have pushed up the reliance
on airfreight.
Hugo Boss said the overall situation in the
Red Sea has shown signs of partial stabilisation but it added that shipping
patterns have not yet fully normalised and freight rates remain volatile.
The company also admitted that the recent
outbreak of further fighting in the Middle East could further disrupt maritime
operations.
“Looking ahead to 2026, renewed escalation of
geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East could again disrupt key maritime
trade routes, further straining global logistics capacity and increasing
transportation costs.
“Hugo Boss will continue to closely monitor
developments and implement appropriate measures where necessary.”
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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