JUPITER SEA & AIR
SERVICES PVT. LTD, EGMORE – CHENNAI, INDIA.
E-MAIL : Robert.sands@jupiterseaair.co.in Mobile : +91 98407 85202
Corporate News Letter for Tuesday April 28, 2026
Today’s
Exchange Rates
|
CURRENCY▲ |
PRICE |
CHANGE |
%CHANGE |
OPEN |
PREV.CLOSE |
|
|
94.16 |
0.099998 |
0.106088 |
94.23 |
94.26 |
|
|
|
1.1744 |
0.0022 |
0.187682 |
1.1713 |
1.1722 |
|
|
|
127.6986 |
0.610802 |
0.480614 |
127.6502 |
127.0878 |
|
|
|
110.6841 |
0.525696 |
0.477218 |
110.5353 |
110.1584 |
|
|
|
159.154 |
0.225998 |
0.141798 |
159.37 |
159.38 |
|
|
|
1.3554 |
0.0022 |
0.162578 |
1.35 |
1.3532 |
|
|
|
0.5921 |
0.001 |
0.169184 |
0.5907 |
0.5911 |
|
/// Sea Cargo News ///
India-Bound Ship Among
Vessels Seized by Iran in Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Tensions
escalated in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after Iran’s
elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) seized two vessels and opened
fire on another, including a container ship bound for India.
According to
maritime and intelligence reports, three commercial ships—Epaminondas, MSC
Francesca, and Euphoria—were targeted while transiting the narrow waterway
linking the Persian Gulf to global shipping routes.
The
Liberia-flagged Epaminondas, which had declared India as its destination, was
the first to come under attack. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre
reported that an IRGC gunboat fired upon the vessel roughly 15 nautical miles
northeast of Oman, causing significant damage to its bridge.
The
Panama-flagged Euphoria, sailing from Sharjah in the UAE to
Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, was attacked hours later. The ship was halted during
the incident, but authorities confirmed that the crew remained safe and the
vessel sustained no damage.
A third
vessel, MSC Francesca, was also intercepted, though details about its route
remain unclear.
In an
official statement, the IRGC Navy confirmed that Epaminondas and MSC
Francesca had been seized and were being escorted to Iranian waters. The
force accused the ships of violating maritime regulations by operating without
proper permits and allegedly tampering with navigation systems. “Disruptions of
order and safety in the Strait of Hormuz is our red line,” the statement said.
The
incidents come amid heightened geopolitical uncertainty following efforts by
Donald Trump to extend a fragile ceasefire with Iran. While Washington has
indicated optimism about ongoing diplomatic engagement, there remains no
clarity on the timing or venue of the next round of talks, reportedly linked to
discussions in Islamabad.
Compounding
tensions, U.S. forces have intensified maritime enforcement in the region,
reportedly seizing one Iranian vessel in the Gulf of Oman and intercepting two
others in the Indian Ocean in recent days as part of a broader blockage
efforts.
The Strait
of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and trade flows, has once again
become a flashpoint, raising concerns over shipping security and the potential
for further escalations in the region.
Gulf LPG Ships Lie
Idle After Unloading as Foreign Vessels Bring in U.S. Cargoes
LPG carriers
operating from the Gulf are reportedly remaining idle after completing
discharge operations, while foreign vessels are increasingly being used to
transport incoming cargoes from the United States.
The shift
reflects changing trade dynamics in the liquefied petroleum gas market amid
evolving freight economics, route disruptions, and vessel deployment
strategies. Market participants say Gulf-based ships are facing delays in
securing backhaul employment after unloading, reducing fleet utilization and
pressuring earnings.
At the same
time, overseas carriers have stepped in to move U.S. LPG cargoes to key
consuming markets, taking advantage of available tonnage and shifting arbitrage
opportunities.
The United
States remains a major global supplier of LPG and cargo movements from U.S.
export terminals play a critical role in balancing supply across Asia and other
importing regions. Increased participations by foreign vessels may reshape spot
freight patterns and intensify competition for charter opportunities.
CMA CGM Expands Indian
Fleet with Fifth Reflagged Vessel
Global
shipping major CMA CGM has strengthened its presence in India by reflagging its
fifth vessel under the Indian flag. The latest addition, CMA CGM VILA DO CONDE,
marks another step in the company’s strategy to deepen its footprint in one of
the world’s fastest-growing trade markets.
The newly
reflagged vessel is expected to enhance the Group’s capacity on key trade
routes while reinforcing its operational integration within India’s maritime
sector.
This move
aligns with CMA CGM’s broader commitment to supporting the country’s expanding
trade ecosystem through dependable and efficient logistics solutions. The
company indicated that this is part of an ongoing expansion plan, with a sixth
vessel scheduled to be reflagged by the end of May. By steadily increasing its
India-flagged fleet, CMA CGM aims to play a more significant role in
facilitating both coastal and international trade.
From
maritime shipping to inland logistics, the Group continues to position itself
as a key partner in advancing India’s trade ambitions.
India to Import
Fertilizer from Indonesia
India is set
to increase fertilizer imports from Indonesia as part of broader efforts to
secure essential agricultural inputs ahead of upcoming planting seasons. The
move comes as New Delhi seeks to diversify sourcing channels, stabilize
domestic supplies, and shield farmers from global price volatility.
Indonesia, a
major producer of several fertilizer raw materials and finished products, has
reportedly been in discussions to export significant volumes to India along
with other international buyers.
For India, the additional supply could help strengthen inventories of key nutrients used across major crop cycles, especially during periods of high seasonal demand.
The planned
imports are expected to support the government’s objective of ensuring timely
fertilizer availability at affordable prices. Reliable supply is particularly
important for India’s food security strategy, as fertilizer shortages or price
spikes can affect crop yields and farm incomes.
Market
participants say the deal may also deepen trade ties between the two countries
while improving supply chain resilience in Asia. Lower freight times compared
with some distant suppliers could offer logistical advantages and faster
replenishment for Indian importers.
Analysts
note that final volumes, pricing and delivery schedules will depend on
commercial negotiations and domestic demand trends. However, the development
reflects India’s continued focus on securing critical commodities through
diversified global partnerships.
India Seafood Exports
Hit Record ₹72,325 Crore in FY26, Driven by Shrimp Despite Weak US Demand
India’s
seafood exports hit an all-time high of ₹72,325.82 crore (US$ 8.28 billion) in
FY 2025–26, with export volumes reaching 19.32 lakh metric tonnes, according to
provisional data from the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).
Frozen
shrimp remained the backbone of India’s seafood exports, contributing
₹47,973.13 crore (US$ 5.51 billion)—more than two-thirds of total earnings.
Shrimp exports grew 4.6% in volume and 6.35% in value, reinforcing its
dominance in the export basket.
The United
States continued as the largest importer, with purchases worth US$ 2.32
billion. However, exports to the US declined sharply—down 19.8% in volume and
14.5% in value, largely due to reciprocal tariffs.
This
slowdown was offset by strong growth in other markets:
· China (second largest destination) exports rose 22.7% in
value and 20.1% in volume.
· European Union exports surged 32.79% in value and 35.2%
in volume.
· South East Asia saw growth of over 36.1% in value and
28.2% in volume.
Exports to
Japan increased 6.55% in value, while shipments to West Asia dipped by 0.55%
impacted by regional instability late in the fiscal year.
Apart from
shrimp, exports of frozen fish, squid, cuttlefish, dried items and live seafood
all recorded positive momentum. Value-added segments like surimi, fishmeal and
fish oil also showed improved performance, while chilled products declined.
Five major
ports – Visakhapatnam, Jawaharlal Nehru, Cochin Port, Kolkatta Port and Chennai
Port – accounted for nearly 64% of total export value, underlining their
critical role in India’s seafood supply chain.
Despite a
notable decline in US demand, India’s seafood sector achieved record export
earnings by diversifying into new and expanding markets, with shrimp continuing
in lead the change.
Three Ships Targeted
in Hormuz as Iran Seizes Two, Escalating Gulf Shipping Crisis
Fresh
tensions erupted in the Strait of Hormuz after three commercial vessels were
reportedly targeted, while Iranian forces seized two ships in a dramatic
escalation that has intensified risks to one of the world’s most critical
maritime trade corridors.
The
incidents have renewed concerns over regional stability, energy security, and
supply chain disruption. According to maritime security monitors, vessels
transiting the strategic waterway came under attack, with one ship sustaining
damage to its bridge.
Iran’s
Revolutionary Guard said two ships were intercepted for alleged maritime
violations and redirected to Iranian waters, marking a significant increase in
enforcement activity in the area.
The Strait
of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for global oil and gas shipments, and any
disruption there can quickly impact freight markets, tanker availability,
insurance premiums , and crude prices. Following the latest developments, oil
markets reacted sharply amid fears of prolonged instability in the Gulf.
Shipping lines and traders are expected to reassess routing strategies, while governments and naval agencies closely monitor the situation. Continued volatility in Hormuz could further strain international supply chains already dealing with geopolitical and logistical uncertainty.
/// Air Cargo News ///
✈️ MOST VALUABLE
AIRLINES IN THE WORLD 🌍
The aviation
industry isn’t just about flying—it’s a multi-billion dollar global powerhouse.
Here are the top airlines leading in market value given below for your
reference.
🥇 Delta Air Lines – $44.9 Billion
🥈 Ryanair – $30.6 Billion
🥉 United Airlines – $29.8 Billion
4️⃣ International Airlines Group (IAG) – $25.0 Billion
5️⃣ Southwest Airlines – $19.3 Billion
6️⃣ IndiGo – $18.8
Billion
7️⃣ Air China – $17.6 Billion
8️⃣ Singapore Airlines – $15.8 Billion
9️⃣ LATAM Airlines – $15.2
🔟 China
Southern Airlines – $14.9 Billion
Boeing moves Artemis III core stage to
Florida
The atmosphere at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans was remarkably vibrant this week as the workforce transitioned from celebrating the triumph of the Artemis II mission to executing the next phase of lunar exploration. Just ten days after the world watched the Artemis II crew safely conclude their journey around the Moon, Boeing and NASA successfully rolled out the primary hardware for the Artemis III mission.
This is the
rocket destined to return humans to the lunar surface for the first time in
over fifty years. This massive piece of engineering is the core stage of the
Space Launch System, which is often described as the backbone of the rocket.
Standing as
a colossal orange pillar of aluminium and sophisticated electronics, it
represents the largest single element of the vehicle. However, this particular
rollout was historic for a different reason because it marked the first time
that Boeing had shipped the top four-fifths of the stage before it was fully
completed with its engines.
The decision
to ship the hardware in this configuration is a strategic move designed to
streamline the assembly process. Usually, the entire core stage is finished and
outfitted with its four RS-25 engines in New Orleans before being sent to
Florida. By opting to send the forward skirt, liquid oxygen tank, inter-tank,
and liquid hydrogen tank as one unit now, Boeing is allowing teams at the
Kennedy Space Centre to begin critical vertical integration work. While the
Florida team prepares the main body, the complex engine section is being
finished separately and will follow shortly after.
The physical
move itself is a feat of precision logistics. The 212-foot-tall structure was
carefully moved out of the factory doors on a specialised transporter. It
travelled 1.4 miles to the docks, where it was loaded onto the Pegasus, a
massive 310-foot-long barge specifically designed to carry these massive
components.
“Moving the
Top Four-Fifths shows how our production process improvements drive faster,
more coordinated execution,” says Mike Cacheiro, vice president and program
manager for Boeing’s Space Launch System program. “This milestone reflects
countless hours of teamwork and a shared mission to push human exploration
forward.”
The Pegasus
barge is now beginning a 900-mile voyage through the Gulf of Mexico. It will
travel around the coast of Florida and finally arrive at the Kennedy Space
Centre. Once it arrives, the hardware will be moved into the iconic Vehicle
Assembly Building. There, it will stand upright for the first time. This will
allow technicians to begin the meticulous process of inspecting the thermal
protection systems and preparing the internal plumbing for the eventual arrival
of the engines.
The Artemis
III mission, currently targeted for 2027, is arguably the most anticipated
flight of the century so far. It will be the mission that carries the first
woman and the first person of colour to the lunar South Pole. To achieve this,
the Space Launch System rocket must perform flawlessly. It must provide more
than 2 million pounds of thrust to push the Orion spacecraft out of Earth’s
orbit.
As the barge
pulls away from the Louisiana coast, it carries more than just metal and fuel
tanks. It carries the momentum of a global effort to establish a permanent
human presence on another world. For the engineers at Boeing and NASA, the
sight of the Artemis III core stage on the move is a clear signal that the
dream of walking on the Moon once again is no longer a distant goal. It is now
a rapidly approaching reality that the world is watching with bated breath.
Norse Atlantic extends Jettainer ULD
deal for operations
Norse
Atlantic Airways has extended its Unit Load Device management partnership with
Jettainer ahead of schedule, continuing a cooperation that began in 2022. The
renewed agreement will see Jettainer continue to supply and manage the
airline’s ULD fleet, including containers and pallets, supporting its long-haul
operations.
The
arrangement is based on an airline-specific fleet model designed to respond to
operational changes. Management of the fleet is supported by Jettainer’s
digital platform JettwareNG, which provides visibility across the airline’s ULD
operations and supports oversight of inventory and movements. Norse Atlantic
Airways operates scheduled long-haul services linking Europe with destinations
in the United States, Africa, and Asia. The airline uses a Boeing 787 fleet and
adjusts capacity based on seasonal demand, placing focus on flexibility in
fleet and resource planning.
Through
JettwareNG, Jettainer provides tracking and reporting functions across the ULD
fleet. These include monitoring of station inventory, recording of ULD history,
movement tracking, and reporting based on performance indicators. The system is
designed to support availability of ULDs and operational continuity across the
airline’s network.
“From the
very start of our partnership, Jettainer has provided reliable and flexible
operational support. The close operational coordination and transparent fleet
monitoring give us the stability we need in a dynamic market environment,"
says Thom-Arne Norheim, Norse Atlantic Airways Chief Operational Officer.
“Extending the contract ahead of schedule reflects the strong partnership we
have built since 2022.
In a highly
seasonal environment, transparency and continuous performance monitoring are
essential to ensure consistent ULD availability across the network,” says Dr
Jan-Wilhelm Breithaupt, CEO of Jettainer. Jettainer manages a fleet of more
than 100,000 ULDs across 500 locations worldwide.
The company
provides services including positioning, maintenance, and repair of containers
and pallets, supported by data systems and an international partner network. It
also offers leasing, cold management, and temperature chain solutions.
Jettainer
GmbH is a subsidiary of Lufthansa Cargo AG.
WFS BLR handles China Central Longhao’s
new CGO–BLR route
Flight
operations between Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) and
Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore (BLR) commenced on April 24, with
Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) BLR serving as the cargo handling partner for
the new route operated by China Central Longhao Airlines.
In a
LinkedIn post, Anupama Kachhap, Head of Commercial at WFS, said the company is
pleased to welcome China Central Longhao Airlines to Bangalore, marking the
start of operations on the sector.
The airline
is operating a Boeing 747 aircraft on the route, adding cargo capacity to the
Bangalore air cargo network. She described the aircraft as a notable addition
to the city’s skies and highlighted its role in enhancing global connectivity.
Kachhap
added that the development reflects strengthening partnerships and aims to
support seamless cargo operations.
Brussels Airport, US partners sign MoU
for pharma air cargo link
Brussels
Airport has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with United Airlines and
the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to create a dedicated
pharmaceutical air cargo corridor with Washington Dulles International Airport.
The
agreement aims to establish aligned processes and a standardised flow of pharma
shipments between the two airports, strengthening transatlantic supply chains.
The partnership is designed to enhance collaboration between the Belgian and
Virginian life sciences ecosystems, building on Brussels Airport’s role as a
key pharma hub in Europe and Virginia’s growing position as a pharmaceutical
manufacturing centre in the United States.
United
Airlines will act as the primary carrier on this route, currently operating a
daily flight that mainly transports pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. The
agreement focuses on creating standardised and optimised cargo processes for
pharmaceutical and life science products, supported by Brussels Airport’s
infrastructure and expertise.
By sharing
best practices and improving coordination, the partners aim to increase
efficiency and reliability in pharma logistics between both regions. Belgium
remains a major player in global pharmaceutical trade, ranking as the world’s
fourth-largest exporter of pharmaceutical products.
Brussels
Airport has developed significant expertise in this segment, becoming the first
airport globally where the entire cargo community achieved CEIV Pharma
certification in 2014, and offering the largest surface of
temperature-controlled storage capacity in Europe.
At the same
time, Virginia’s pharmaceutical sector is expanding, driven by new investments
from biopharmaceutical companies. This growth is creating opportunities for
increased transatlantic air cargo flows and strengthening the region’s role as
a key manufacturing hub in the US.
Arnaud
Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport, said the agreement will create a reliable
pharma corridor with Washington Dulles, highlighting the importance of strong
partnerships and knowledge-sharing to improve efficiency and support supply
chain development.
Jason El
Koubi, President and CEO of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership,
noted that international connectivity is vital for supporting the growth of
Virginia’s manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries, adding that the
collaboration will help build more resilient supply chains and expand the
state’s reach across Europe.
Chris Busch,
Vice President of United Cargo Americas, said cargo remains an important
contributor to the airline’s revenue and profitability, with the ability to
carry freight on passenger aircraft supporting the overall success of its
network.
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.
Comments
Post a Comment