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 March 25, 2025
Today’s
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/// Sea Cargo News ///
Port of Rotterdam revenue rises but profit slips in
2025
The annual report outlines developments
across areas including occupational safety, biodiversity and climate, alongside
a summary of financial results.
Revenue rose 6.6 per cent to €940.4 million
($1.07 billion), while costs also increased, notably personnel, operating
expenses and depreciation, alongside the one-off impairment. Net profit fell by
€7.8 million ($8.9 million) to €266 million ($304 million). Under revised
agreements with shareholders, the Municipality of Rotterdam and the State,
€186.2 million ($213 million) of that was paid out in dividends.
Stable finances allowed the Port
Authority to continue investing in the port’s future, committing €291.4 million ($333 million) in
2025.
Several shore power installations were
commissioned, while construction began on a new rail yard at Maasvlakte
Zuid. The organisation also set out its longer-term direction through its
corporate strategy, ‘Port Vision 2050’, published in 2025, alongside
its Climate Transition Plan.
Social initiatives included closer engagement
with the city and region, such as support for the Youth Education
Fund and the opening of the Portlantis port experience centre.
The report also highlights the need for
closer cooperation to address challenges, including the investment climate,
resilience and the energy transition.
It outlines work with customers, government
bodies, knowledge institutions and local residents, and includes interviews
offering additional perspective on issues affecting the port and surrounding communities.
The report
also sets out initiatives aimed at keeping the port sustainable, competitive
and safe.
In
February, the Port of Rotterdam published its
integrated approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a new climate
transition plan.
Khalifa Bin Salman Port suspends operations
In an operational advisory, APM
Terminals (APMT) Bahrain confirmed that the suspension covers both berth
and gate operations.
The measure took effect on 12 March and will
remain in place until 13 March 2026. All gate appointments scheduled during
this period have been cancelled, and customers have been asked not to dispatch
trucks or personnel to the terminal.
APMT Bahrain said further updates on the
resumption of operations will be communicated as the situation develops.
Khalifa Bin Salman Port serves
as Bahrain’s main commercial gateway, handling containerised cargo and
other goods moving through the country’s maritime trade routes.
Iran is Making Unimpeded Use of the Strait of Hormuz
Getting a clear picture of what traffic is
currently passing through the Strait of Hormuz is difficult at present for
the external observer. The US military and the Omani coast guard will have a
complete picture, but ship trackers used to dependency on AIS signals are now
deprived of their primary source of information, as vessels passing through the
strait are clearly not wishing to advertise their presence and are traveling
with AIS systems switched off.
However, it is possible to discern the
general pattern of movement. Iranian ships, or ships licensed by the Iranian
authorities, are hiding their identities and are passing through the strait. A
small number of vessels not approved by the Iranians are making the passage,
but at high risk of being attacked.
In effect, the strait is open to Iranian
or Iranian-approved traffic, and largely closed to others, meaning that the
Iranians are suffering little economic damage – and may indeed be benefitting
from high oil and gas prices - while the Gulf States are blockaded.
With Iranian approval, two passages have been
made by laden Indian-flagged LPG tankers, the Shivalik (IMO
9356892) and the Nanda Devi (IMO 9232503), both owned by the
parastatal Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), India’s largest shipping
company.
Both ships are known to have loaded Qatari
gas at Ras Laffan beforehand. The two SCI ships were escorted through the
strait by the Indian Navy. Lloyd's List Intelligence also reported that an
unidentified crude tanker laden with Saudi oil had also transited en route to
India in the same time period.
The VLCC Smyrni (IMO
9493779), Liberian-flagged and managed by the Greek shipping company Dynacom,
transited the strait en route to Mumbai sometime after March 5, laden with
Saudi oil. It is not known if it had some form of permission based on the
Indian destination of its cargo. Other Dynacom-managed ships are also believed
to have made transits.
The Guinea-flagged oil products tanker Ocean
Guardian (IMO 9267948) from Basra, Iraq transited eastwards on
March 12. The Ocean Guardian, formerly the Danube, is
OFAC-sanctioned with a classic shadow fleet history.
Another Basra-associated, OFAC-sanctioned oil
products tanker, the Aruba-flagged Blooming Dale (IMO 9125724)
was on March 13 transiting eastwards in the strait. The Belize-flagged bulk
carrier Rozana (IMO 9198381), a frequent visitor to Russia,
also seemed able to make an unhindered eastward passage of the strait on March
7.
The Iranian ambassador to Iraq has said that
Iraqi-owned vessels are allowed passage if they are not US or Israeli-linked.
ISW reported also that the Turkish Transport Ministry had allowed an
unidentified Turkish-owned ship to leave the Gulf, and on March 7, the
Panama-flagged but Turkish-owned LPG Bogazici (IMO 9237747)
was seen entering the Gulf, hauling Emirati gas to India.
The Marshall Islands-registered bulk carrier Iron
Maiden (IMO 9691149) seems to have slipped through the strait heading
for Singapore on March 4 by describing itself as "all Chinese-crewed"
- a practice seen previously during the Red Sea crisis.
Overall, this is an incomplete and somewhat
confusing picture. Lloyd's List Intelligence has picked up nine dark fleet
transits of the strait in March, but assess that in total there have been 45
such transits - and probably much more. Lloyd's List has also detected
movements out of the Gulf of at least one Iranian container ship.
Sky News' Data & Forensics team estimates
that 13 ships have transited the Strait of Hormuz from March 2-9. In
among these ship movements are Iran-linked shadow fleet tankers, which are
still loading crude oil at Kharg Island, Iran’s primary export hub.
It would be safe to conclude that while
access needed by GCC states and the wider world has been choked off, Iran is
enjoying economic and political benefit from the traffic it is allowing through
the strait. This Iranian-sanctioned traffic is at well below pre-war levels,
but is nonetheless keeping Iran afloat.
In contrast, the effects on those denied
access are economically punitive and getting increasingly worse. It is also
politically corrosive to the American war effort: those states suffering
from the Iranian blockade are now agitating for an early end to the war, before
U.S. aims are achieved.
The obvious solution is not the easiest. A
military operation to lift Iranian control over the strait would be a
complex and challenging, and it is not clear if there are sufficient naval
forces available to conduct convoy operations successfully. Even if escorts
were available, independent estimates suggest that the logistical math of convoy
operation would restrict tanker traffic volume to a small fraction of normal
levels, per Lloyd's List.
The alternative would be to impose an
economic blockade and to interdict Iranian ships. This latter course has
the benefit of hitting the finances of the Iranian regime, which needs money
both to maintain its machinery of state suppression and to keep the Iranian
economy afloat through subsidies.
Militarily, now that the United States has
swept the Iranian navy from the seas, it has an interdiction tool available for
the task: the expected arrival in theatre of the 2,200 Marines of the 31st
MEU. Such an operation would require political patience, a commodity which
currently is in short supply, and would strain the U.S. operating model of
involving Coast Guard law enforcement in every vessel boarding.
Iran also has a Single Buoy Mooring (SBM) off
the Kooh Mobarak oil storage facility on the Jask peninsula outside the Gulf,
built in order to reduce dependency on Kharg Island. It takes generally two
days to load a VLCC tanker moored at the SBM.
But since it was opened in July 2021 by
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, the facility has only been used sporadically,
reflecting construction problems with Iran’s crude pipeline infrastructure
serving the Jask terminal. The SBM does not appear to have been used at all in
January and February this year.
India Monitors Dozens of National Ships in Gulf as
Tensions Mount
Currently, several dozen Indian merchant ships, carrying crude oil,
liquefied natural gas, and other essential goods, are navigating strategic
waterways near the Strait of Hormuz. The Ministry of Ports and Shipping has
urged shipping companies to follow safety protocols and maintain regular
updates on vessel movements.
Officials emphasized that India is taking all precautionary measures to
safeguard its maritime assets while continuing to support uninterrupted trade
in the region.
Analysts note that with the Gulf remaining a critical hub for energy
shipments, such monitoring is essential to prevent disruptions that could
impact global supply chains.
The blockade at the Strait of
Hormuz following the escalating conflict in the Middle East has
disrupted 40% of the global LPG supply. The disruption is particularly
significant for Asian countries where LPG is a key residential fuel.
In India, LPG is widely used as a cooking
fuel, making demand relatively inelastic, and the current disruptions are
poised to create ‘critical’ supply shortages.
To manage tightening supplies, the government has 1) restricted LPG deliveries to the petchem sector to around 65% of normal levels, 2) prioritised residential consumption, and 3) directed domestic refineries to boost LPG production and oil majors to procure alternative cargoes.
However, for the global petchem sector, a
potential halt in shipments of naphtha and LPG (propane and butane) from the
Arabian Gulf would create significant feedstock shortages, putting pressure on
petchem producers. This, in turn, could reduce operating rates and disrupt
global petchem trade.
For instance, traffic through the Strait of
Hormuz accounts for about 24% of global naphtha supply. Any prolonged
disruption would therefore significantly affect cracker operating rates,
particularly in Asia, where many petchem plants rely heavily on imported
naphtha. The global petchem industry is facing
dire circumstances due to the Middle Eastern conflict with surging feedstock
prices or supply shortages forcing production shutdowns. Will this give the
oversupplied market a chance to rebalance or create further troughs for the
industry desperately looking for recovery?
Intra-Asia petchem shipping schedules are
also poised to be disrupted with several vessels expected to become idle,
impacting rates. Meanwhile, TC rates for smaller petchem carriers tend to be
stable, changing monthly, but the duration of the conflict may significantly
impact them as well.
COSCO
SHIPPING Ports reports record throughput
COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited delivered solid
results for 2025. Total throughput rose 6.2% year-on-year to nearly 153 Million
TEUs. Revenue climbed 11% to USD 1.67 Billion. Profit attributable to equity
holders reached USD 312.1 Million, up 1.1%.
The group operated against a tough backdrop.
Slowing global trade growth, tariff pressures, trade protectionism and
geopolitical tensions all weighed on the market. The company responded with
lean operations and tighter resource management.
Gross profit slipped marginally to USD 415.5
Million, down 0.3%. Profits from joint ventures and associates grew 7.3% to USD
343.4 Million. The board declared a second interim dividend of USD 1.328 cents
per share.
China leads, overseas accelerates – Chinese
terminals generated 114.8 Million TEUs,
up 4.6%, accounting for 75.1% of total throughput. The Bohai Rim region
contributed 52 Million TEUs, up 5.1%. The Pearl River Delta added 30.2 Million
TEUs, up 5.2%. The Southwest Coast posted the strongest domestic growth, up
11.6% to just over 10 Million TEU, driven by RCEP trade benefits and network
expansion at Beibu Gulf Port.
Overseas Terminals outpaced domestic growth.
Throughput jumped 11.5% to 38.2 million TEU. CSP Zeebrugge Terminal surged
33.1% to 894,227 TEU on new mainline and feeder services. Piraeus Container
Terminal bucked the trend, slipping 6% to 3.98 Million TEU amid softer
Mediterranean demand.
Outlook – COSCO SHIPPING Ports heads into
2026 cautiously. The IMF projects global economic growth of 3.3%, while shipping consultancy Drewry expects container
throughput growth to slow to 1.8%.
The company plans to expand its global
terminal network, deepen digital and AI integration and push green energy
initiatives across its ports. It also says it will monitor the middle east
situation closely and act to protect operational continuity.
At year end, the group operated 387 berths
across 40 ports worldwide, with an annual handling capacity of approximately
133 million TEUs.
Bangladesh
lifts oil rationing as ships reach port.
Bangladesh now feels relieved as some 24
vessels carrying liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and crude oil
have reached its waters since the war broke out in the Middle East.
The tiny South Asian nation is highly
independent on Middle Eastern countries for gas and fuel oil to meet its
growing energy needs.
Commentary:
The Gulf states’ business model is eroding
For years, the Gulf states were considered
guarantors of good business, attractive tourist destinations and, thanks to
world class airlines like Emirates and Qatar Airways, global hubs for passenger
and air freight traffic. The rule of autocratic Monarchs ensured peace and
security. That picture has now been shattered, possibly for a longer period.
Russia’s war on Ukraine and Israel’s bombing
of the Gaza Strip were terrible occurrences, but far away. The Gulf region
believed itself to be a haven of stability and peace. Until the morning of
28FEB26, when Israel and the U.S. launched joint military strikes against Iran.
Deserted streets
Since then, nothing has been the same in the neighbouring United Arab Emirates
with its strongholds of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as in Bahrain, Kuwait, and
Qatar. Iranian Shahed drones repeatedly struck the vacation and business centres
of neighbouring Arab countries, with grave consequences.
The airspace over the entire region was
closed, and visitors tried to get away as quickly as possible. Some countries
sent charter planes to safe airports in Oman or Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to fly
their citizens out of the war zone.
In the long term, the damage to the
well-maintained reputation of Dubai, Doha and other Gulf cities as hotspots of
prosperity, leisure, and security, is likely to be more serious than the impact
of some Iranian drones and missiles.
Image of a glittering metropolis has been
tainted
Investors should invest, tourists should relax, and businesspeople should be
able to do business undisturbed. This is how the Gulf states presented
themselves at trade shows and in the international media, backed by paid
influencers who sang the praises of the easy life there and lauded the
limitless business opportunities. The fact, that the daily cleanup is mostly
done by low-paid workers from Pakistan, India, or Sri Lanka, is widely ignored
in the Gulf states’ own public image.
Resembling a ghost town
Air traffic is symbolic of the current standstill and expression of the shock
which has befallen the Gulf rulers, paralyzing their business model with the
tendency to erode it long-term. Meanwhile, some isolated passenger and cargo
flights haven taken off again after days of airspace closures in the Gulf
region.
But the aura of a safe harbor for visitors,
traders or foreign investors, and a well-working hub for transit passengers and
air cargo shipments alike has been severely tarnished, to say the least.
Currently, the metropolis of Dubai, which was vibrant just a few days ago,
resembles more of a ghost town. And it wasn’t rainfall in the middle of last
week that was to blame.
Maritime eye of the needle
To make matters worse, the conflict disrupted maritime traffic in the Strait of
Hormuz, widely cutting the Gulf states off from supply. This narrow passage
between UAE/Oman and Iran is a key corridor for global trade, through which
about a quarter of the world’s crude oil as well as large quantities of
liquefied natural gas and high volumes of fertilizers, are transported. There
is no alternative to the passage.
The combination of military escalation in the
Persian Gulf area and the ongoing threats in the southern Red Sea by Yemen’s
Houthis, is creating a continuous risk zone along key maritime trade routes
between Europe and Asia. Further escalation of the conflict poses significant
risks to commercial shipping and aviation throughout the region and severely
affects trade in the Gulf area with no end in sight.
Cargo
Airlines welcome the Mercosur treaty
This agreement is sparking the imagination of
freight carriers because it promises a significant increase in tonnage due to
the virtual elimination of customs barriers on both routes across the South
Atlantic, from northwest to southeast and in the opposite direction.
The trade agreement, which has been under
negotiation for a quarter of a century between the EU and four South American
countries, has provisionally come into force on 27FEB26. Only Paraguay’s
signature is currently still missing.
With over 260 million inhabitants, Mercosur
is the fifth-largest economic bloc in the world. For the EU, Mercosur is the
tenth-largest trading partner. Conversely, the EU is the second-largest trading
partner of the Mercosur countries, after China. In 2024, the trade volume
between the two economic blocs amounted to approximately 111 billion euros,
with more than 80% of that figure attributable to Brazil – by far the strongest
South American member of the bloc in economic terms.
Core element of the scheme is the gradual
elimination of tariffs on over 90% of all traded goods, which will
significantly increase the exchange of industrial and agricultural items. A key
motivation for the EU is the diversification of supply chains. In particular,
Europe wants to reduce its dependence on China for raw materials such as
lithium and other so-called rare earth elements, which are needed for
batteries, electric motors, and the energy transition.
The European Commission also expects that
exports by European companies to Latin America could increase by up to 39%. In
the long term, according to the European Commission, hundreds of thousands of
new jobs could be created in Europe.
Conversely, European markets are opening up
to agricultural products from South America, particularly beef, poultry, sugar,
and soy, even though there have been protests by French, Italian, and German
farmers against this opening clause right up until recently.
For cargo airlines operating routes between
the two trade blocks, the agreement offers a ray of hope. Unlike with North
American traffic, they anticipate a steady increase in cargo volume and stable
supply chains thanks to the customs regulations. CargoForwarder Global (CFG)
spoke with Enrica Calonghi (EC), Cargo Director South America at Air France KLM
Martinair Cargo, and Cleverton Vighy (CV), Head of Sales and Handling Brazil
and South Cone* at Lufthansa Cargo.
CFG: Erica, what impact does Air France KLM
Martinair Cargo expect the pact to have on its business to and from South
America?
EC: The Mercosur agreement strengthens
trade relations between South America and Europe, and is expected to support
higher bilateral flows, particularly for time-critical, temperature-sensitive,
and high-value goods where air freight is essential.
For Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, this
aligns with our focus on adapting capacity and solutions to evolving market
dynamics while remaining close to customer needs across the region.
In Mercosur, sustainability and
digitalization are increasingly part of commercial decision-making, especially
among multinational exporters and global forwarders.
Our approach is pragmatic and operational,
centered on transparency, efficiency, and available options such as emissions
visibility, access to Sustainable Aviation Fuel where feasible, and digital
tools that support informed decision-making.
Through myCargo, customers can manage
bookings and shipments 24/7, with reliable transaction handling and real-time
visibility, supporting efficient trade flows between South America and Europe.
CFG: Cleverton, which cargo
products are likely to benefit most from the treaty?
CV: A growth of imports such as car and
auto parts, chemical goods and industrial components to involved countries is
very likely. But also goods with lower value will support investments and
growth in the region. On the export side, we assume a direct increase in
semi-manufactured goods such as fashion and textiles. Additionally, we assume
that the Brazilian and Uruguayan markets will benefit from pharmaceutical
exports as well.
EC: In our view, it will be perishable
goods such as fresh produce, fruit, vegetables, flowers and seafood. Those we
expect to benefit most, given their time-sensitive nature. Pharmaceuticals and
high-tech products should also see increased volumes, given their requirements
for reliability and temperature control.
In addition, automotive parts, machinery, and
industrial goods are likely to benefit, particularly for urgent or high-value
shipments. The continued growth of e-commerce in South America further supports
demand for fast and reliable air cargo.
CFG: On which specific routes can tonnage
growth be expected (both import and export?)
CV: Brazil and Argentina.
EC: Tonnage growth is expected on both
export flows, such as perishables moving to Europe, and import flows, including
industrial goods and pharmaceuticals into South America.
CFG: How many cargo flights does your
airline operate to the South American Mercosur states weekly? How well is your
carrier represented in the market?
EC: With a longstanding presence in South
America, Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is firmly established in the South
America region, leveraging a balanced combination of dedicated freighter
operations and belly capacity on passenger flights to deliver flexible and
reliable cargo solutions. As the EU-Mercosur agreement continues to evolve, we
will closely monitor market developments and proactively adapt our capacity and
services to ensure we effectively support our customers and partners across
this important trade lane.
CV: Lufthansa Cargo manages the belly
capacities of 51 passenger flights within Lufthansa Group and four freighter
rotations covering Mercosur-involved countries. Due to the addition of ITA
belly capacity, we were able to further increase our offer to customers in the
region, over the last year. This makes Lufthansa Cargo the second biggest
carrier in volumes between the EU and Mercosur countries.
CFG: Erica, Cleverton, thank you for your
time and input.
*** The Southern Coneis a geographical and
cultural subregion composed of the southernmost areas of South America, mostly south of
the Tropic of Capricorn. In terms of
geography, the Southern Cone comprises Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, and sometimes
includes Paraguay and Brazil’s four southernmost
states (Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and São Paulo).
Chicken
Wings: All that glitters is not gold
Sometimes, it’s a matter of more than
half-a-million little mirror tiles bringing on the shine – and its value is in
its rarity rather than any carats. As in the case of United Cargo’s recent and
highly unusual Special Shipment.
While day-old chicks are a daily occurrence
in air freight with millions being flown around the world each year, they
aren’t normally a staggering 8 foot high and glittery. The U.S. carrier was
recently approached with the request to transport a one-of-a-kind Disco
Chicken. It plucked up the courage, took on the chicken challenge and made that
bird fly…
…all the way from its home coop in Denver, to
the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo in Houston. Social media channels
loved the story and were rife with puns. As one fan [Paul Ipolito on Facebook]
put it: “United was eggs-actly the best airline for this project. The other
choices are not what they are cracked up to be.
This is definitely a feather in United’s cap!” United Airlines’
media team were on the ball (or should that be ‘egging him on’?), too, with
their comeback to him: “Really laid some egg-sellent puns there!” From “a
plucktacular bird” through to “wingin’ it!” to “Get the cluck
outta here! Great job, UAL”, there was a lot of praise and enjoyment for
what United Cargo termed its “sparkliest mission yet”.
The work of Lauren Young
The story wouldn’t exist, however, without
Disco Chicken’s creator: 30-something Lauren Young is a self-taught,
Denver-based multidisciplinary artist who runs the brand Abstruse and seeks to
bring glitter and fun to all kinds of events. Her belief is that “Art should
spark joy, curiosity, and connection. Whether it’s a 20-foot fruit
installation, a carousel of disco horses, or a tiny bolo tie made for a
portable party, my goal is to create works that feel both unexpected and
unforgettable.”
Her TikTok page shows the initial mini-hen on
which the Disco Chicken was modelled, and illustrates the steps taken to
develop it – the work being carried out in her backyard and all by hand. The
result is a stunning 8-foot piece of art, retailing at USD 26,000, with its
gold legs [which she demonstrates in one video, could well be used to wave in
taxiing aircraft] coming in extra at around USD 1,100.
As Young’s page states: “Meet the queen of
the coop and the undisputed ruler of the dance floor – the 8-Foot Disco
Chicken. […] By day, she’s a jaw-dropping art piece. By night, she transforms
into a light-scattering spectacle, sending shimmering reflections across walls,
ceilings, and everyone lucky enough to be nearby. Perfect for large events,
music festivals, photo ops, and venues that want to go way beyond ordinary
décor.”
Debut at the Houston Rodeo
Hennifer’s destination as a chicken disco
ball debutante was the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR), which is the
world’s largest event of its kind, drawing in 2.7 million people last year.
This year, it is on from 02-22MAR26. The livestock show’s beginnings date back
to 1932 – originally started by cattle breeders. I doubt they would have
imagined an 8-foot chicken dangling from the ceiling of one of the many tents –
appropriately named the ‘Chicken Shack’ – 90-odd years on**.
Or that the volunteers involved in the annual
event today number more than 36,000. And above all, given that the first event
in 1932 ran for a week and made a loss of USD 2,800, that it would now be the 7th largest
charity in Houston, bringing in USD 30 million over the three weeks, this year,
to support scholarships, grants, and graduate assistantships for young people
in Texas. A glittering result in more ways than one.
And United plays its part
United Airlines is no stranger to the HLSR,
given that it has long been involved in the event’s BBQ Cookoff and maintains a
prominent private tent there with a model of one of its aircraft. So, when
Lauren Young’s mother contacted United Cargo for help in getting the oversized
bird to Houston, the team was in.
As its press release states: “Bound for
her debut at HLSR, Hennifer was no ordinary passenger – but the United Cargo
team made sure she travelled just as safely and smoothly. Moving the glittering
bird from DEN to IAH required creativity and precision in equal measure. United
Cargo specialists worked hand-in-hand with Lauren to custom-design a crate
meeting strict aircraft specifications and height limits. Before departure,
Hennifer was carefully wrapped, cushioned, and secured to protect every
glimmering feather.”
Doug McCuen, DEN Cargo Operations Manager at
United, enthused: “It takes incredible teamwork to move something like
Hennifer across the country – we got to share the sparkle.”
*Even though the artist settled on Hennifer
Lopez as the Disco Chicken’s name in her ‘making-of’ TikTok videos,
CargoForwarder Global liberally added a different fake surname because: a)
creative license and b) it fits the mirrored bits, we reckon.
** You might say “Of course not! Disco balls
weren’t in existence until the disco era of the 1970s!” Well, here’s a bit of
trivia for you: The first precursors to the modern disco ball – called “mirror
balls” – appeared in the late 19th century, with the earliest documented use
dating to 1897 at an electricians’ union party in Charlestown, Massachusetts.
Did you know that?
Oman
Air Cargo adds war and fuel surcharges
Oman Air Cargo has announced the introduction
of fuel and war risk surcharges as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.
The Muscat-headquartered carrier yesterday told customers that it would add a
Fuel Surcharge and War Risk Surcharge across its network from 18 March.
The airline said that the surcharges were in
response to the continued volatility in global aviation fuel markets and
rising insurance costs linked to operations in elevated-risk or
conflict-affected areas.
“The measures reflect increased operating
costs associated with fuel price volatility and higher insurance and security
expenses linked to the current operating environment,” the airline said.
The War Risk Surcharge will be applied on a
per kg basis, calculated using the chargeable weight stated on the Master Air
Waybill.
The Fuel Surcharge will be determined using
the US Gulf Coast Jet A1 price per gallon, based on data published by the US
Energy Information Administration, and will be reviewed weekly in line with
movements in global fuel prices.
“Both surcharges will apply to shipments
originating from, destined for, or transiting through the Oman Air Cargo
network,” Oman Air Cargo said.
The airline added that it will keep the
surcharges under regular review and adjust them where necessary in line with
changes in fuel markets, insurance costs, and the wider operating environment.
Last week, the carrier told Air Cargo News
that Muscat International Airport has been busier than usual, not only to
handle demand for people looking to leave the region but also meeting
increased demand for cargo capacity.
Additional flights have been put on, and
these have given the nation’s flag-carrier, Oman Air, extra cargo capacity that
it has used to good effect.
Shippers looking to move freight out of the
UAE, for example, have gladly turned to Oman and to Oman Air Cargo, explained
the head of cargo at Oman Air, Michael Duggan.
Amazon
fleet of A330 converted freighters transferred to IAT Leasing
Ten converted Airbus A330-300 freighters
leased to online retailer Amazon’s cargo airline operation are being
transferred to Irish-based lessor IAT Leasing. The aircraft are operated by
Alaska Air Group – which acquired them through Hawaiian Airlines – on
behalf of Amazon Air.
IAT Leasing says it has purchased the twinjet
portfolio from funds managed by asset firm Altavair, adding that they were
acquired on behalf of funds managed by US-based Blue Owl Capital and financed
by Japan’s MUFG.
The company says the agreement is a
“milestone” which brings dedicated widebody freighters into its portfolio. It also underpins an earlier deal between IAT
and Blue Owl, in January this year, under which the two would enter the
Rolls-Royce LessorCare+ maintenance programme.
The A330 freighters covered by the
transaction are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines. “Acquiring [these
freighters] takes us into a new asset class and immediately positions IAT as a
major lessor of freighter aircraft globally,” says IAT chief executive Martin
Browne.
“It’s a step-change in the scale and
diversification of our platform, and reinforces our reputation as a reliable
trading partner, regardless of transaction scale.” Blue Owl’s Alternative Credit fund managing
director, Daniel Rosato, adds that the A330 deal is an “attractive expansion”
into freighters which builds on its previous passenger variant experience.
Air
China Cargo ramps up Glasgow Prestwick operation
Air China Cargo has expanded its operation
between Chengdu and Glasgow Prestwick Airport to daily on the back of rising
demand.
The service, which operates between Prestwick
and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, had been operating four times per
week until yesterday, when the frequency was increased.
The service largely carries e-commerce from
China, but in the opposite direction, takes Scottish exports such as salmon,
seafood and whisky.
The Scottish airport said that Air China
Cargo’s new daily service brings the total number of scheduled cargo flights to
15 direct to China, with the trade routes expected to facilitate over £250m of
cross-border trade in 2026.
The airline launched services to
the airport in June last year.
“The move to daily flights to Chengdu
Shuangliu International Airport reflects the strength of demand for direct
cargo connectivity between the UK and China,” said Ian Forgie, chief executive,
Glasgow Prestwick Airport.
“Prestwick is increasingly recognised by
international carriers as a strategic cargo gateway linking the UK with key
Chinese logistics hubs, enabling Scottish exporters to reach major regional
markets quickly and reliably.”
“Chengdu is one of the most important
logistics hubs in western China, and a critical gateway into the southwestern
regions of the country,” said Colin Dai, regional director, Asia, Glasgow
Prestwick Airport.
“Daily connectivity enables Scottish
exporters to move premium products such as salmon, seafood, and whisky into
China while also supporting faster and more reliable imports into Scotland from
one of China’s most dynamic manufacturing regions.”
Last month, the airport celebrated having
handled 25m parcels through
its Terminal E facility.
Swissport
expands with new Sofia Airport cargo facility
Swissport has opened a new cargo facility at
Sofia Airport as part of efforts to strengthen its operations in central and
eastern Europe.
The new facility at Vasil Levski Sofia
Airport offers 2,200 sq m of warehouse space, including 2,000 sq m of storage
capacity, and is located around 80 m from the apron to help speed up aircraft
turnaround times.
The warehouse is equipped to handle general
cargo, pharmaceuticals, perishables, e-commerce shipments, and special cargo
such as live animals (AVI) and valuables (VAL).
It also has temperature-controlled storage
areas include dedicated cool, freeze, and controlled room temperature (CRT).
Dirk Goovaerts, global cargo chair at
Swissport, said: “With the opening of this new cargo warehouse in Sofia, we are
strengthening Swissport’s cargo network in Central and Eastern Europe while
supporting Bulgaria’s growing role in international trade.
“Bulgaria’s strategic location in Southeast
Europe makes Sofia an important gateway for regional trade flows. This new
facility enhances our ability to provide airline and logistics partners with
reliable cargo handling, efficient turnaround times, and strong connectivity
across our global network.”
The Sofia facility will use Swissport’s
digital cargo management platform that provides real-time shipment visibility
and tracking throughout the entire handling process, automated documentation
workflows, integrated customs clearance systems, and connectivity with airline
and forwarder platforms.
The facility also boasts X-ray and physical
screening, CCTV monitoring, a secure vault, and a large, fenced yard of
approximately 2,000 sq m, enabling efficient road feeder service (RFS)
operations.
Swissport currently operates across 122
warehouses in 31 countries, handling more than 5.2m tons of cargo.
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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