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 May 15, 2026
Today’s
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/// Sea Cargo News ///
Haldia Dock Complex Handles First-Ever Transshipment
Containers, Marking Major Milestone
The milestone was
achieved with the arrival of the container vessel MV MSC Agiliki II, which
discharged 528 TEUs of transshipment cargo destined for Paradip Port. This
marks a notable shift in HDC’s capabilities, expanding its role beyond
conventional cargo handling to participating in the transshipment supply chain.
Transshipment
operations involve the transfer of cargo from one vessel to another enroute to
its final destination, a critical component in improving logistics efficiency
and reducing transit times. With this achievement, Haldia positions itself as
an emerging node in India’s coastal and regional transshipment network.
The development is
seen as a strategic step forward for the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, under
which HDC operates, as India continues to focus on strengthening port-led
development and enhancing multimodal connectivity.
Industry
stakeholders view this as more than a one-time success, noting that it reflects
growing confidence in Haldia’s infrastructure and operational readiness.
As the country aims
to optimise cargo flows and reduce dependence on foreign transshipment hubs,
such initiatives are expected to play a crucial role in reshaping India’s
maritime logistics landscape.
US launches Project
Freedom to guide ships out of Hormuz
US Central Command
announced that forces began supporting the initiative today by order of
president Donald Trump, describing the mission as an effort to restore freedom
of navigation through one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.
“Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and
the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade,” said Admiral Brad
Cooper, CENTCOM commander.
The operation
involves guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land and sea-based aircraft,
multi-domain unmanned platforms, and approximately 15,000 service members.
According to the US
Navy, traffic will be routed south of the Traffic Separation Scheme via Omani
territorial waters – a routing that itself carries significant risk, with
USNAVCENT warning that transit via or in close proximity to the Traffic
Separation Scheme “should be considered extremely hazardous due to the presence
of mines that have not been fully surveyed and mitigated.”
Trump announced the
initiative on Sunday, calling it a humanitarian gesture on behalf of nations
whose vessels have been stranded in the Gulf since Iran effectively closed the
strait following the outbreak of conflict on February 28. Close to 1,000 commercial
vessels and 20,000 seafarers remain trapped.
“We have told these
countries that we will guide their ships safely out of these restricted
waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” Trump
wrote on Truth Social.
Yet even as the
announcement was made, Iran appeared to signal its intentions. On Sunday, a
tanker was struck by unknown projectiles 78 nautical miles north of Fujairah,
and a bulk carrier was attacked by multiple small vessels 11 nautical miles
west of Sirik while northbound toward the strait. All crew were reported safe
in the tanker incident, and the bulk carrier, believed to be the Minoan Falcon,
reversed course and repositioned off Fujairah.
Lars Jensen, one of
the shipping industry’s most closely followed analysts, noted that three
separate incidents were reported by UKMTO in or around Hormuz over the past 24
hours. “The attacks this morning underscore the concern which has been voiced
by naval experts in terms of whether the US Navy can effectively stage such a
protection convoy,” Jensen wrote on LinkedIn.
The Dane has been
providing daily coverage of the Hormuz shipping crisis over the past two
months. Jensen drew a parallel with the Red Sea crisis. Even with naval
protection available, the ultimate decision rests with commercial shipping
companies and their own risk assessments.
“This is no
different than what we have seen for two and a half years in the Red Sea, where
there has also been access to some naval protection, yet many shipping lines
opted not to be escorted but preferred to detour around Africa on the basis of
their own weighting of safety versus commercial expediency,” Jensen
noted.
The mine threat in
particular has alarmed naval experts. USNAVCENT’s own advisory acknowledges
that the strait has not been fully surveyed or cleared, making even an escorted
transit a significant gamble for shipowners and their insurers.
Trump said his
representatives are engaged in “very positive discussions” with Iran that could
lead to something “very positive for all,” though no details were offered.
Iran’s foreign ministry said Sunday it was reviewing the US response to its
recent 14-point peace proposal.
Trump says US to
‘guide’ stranded ships through Strait of Hormuz
“For the good of
Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that
we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that
they can freely and ably get on with their business,” he said in a post on
social media without specifying which countries.
Trump said any
interference in the process, which he called “Project Freedom”, will “have to
be dealt with forcefully”.
Iran has severely
limited traffic through the vital shipping waterway since the war began in
February. The US has also enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
In the post, Trump
also said that US representatives were having “very positive” discussions with
Iran, and that those talks “could lead to something very positive for all”.
Trump added the
operation would be a “humanitarian gesture” made on behalf of the US, Iran and
other Middle Eastern nations, without listing which countries. He did not
provide further details on how co-operation with Tehran would be managed.
“In all cases, they
said they will not be returning until the area becomes safe for navigation, and
everything else… The Ship movement is merely meant to free up people,
companies, and Countries that have done absolutely nothing wrong,” Trump
continued. US Central Command said that 15,000 personnel, guided-missile
destroyers and more than 100 aircraft would be involved in “Project
Freedom”.
India Repatriates Over
2,900 Seafarers amid Gulf Tensions; All Crew Reported Safe
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) is coordinating closely with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Indian missions abroad, and maritime stakeholders to ensure the welfare of seafarers while maintaining uninterrupted maritime operations.
According to the
ministry, all Indian seafarers in the region remain safe, with no incidents
reported involving Indian-flagged vessels in the last 24 hours. The DG Shipping
Control Room has handled 8,335 calls and over 17,838 emails since its
activation, including 67 calls and 144 emails received in the past day
alone. Port operations across India continue to function normally, with
no congestion reported.
Meanwhile, the MEA
is closely monitoring developments across the Gulf and wider West Asia region,
focusing on the safety and welfare of the Indian community. Regular advisories
are being issued covering local government guidelines, travel updates, consular
services, and welfare measures.
Indian missions in
the region remain actively engaged with the diaspora, maintaining continuous
interaction with community associations, professional groups, and Indian
companies to address concerns and provide assistance.
Canada’s FortisBC
completes 10,000th LNG bunkering
Since initiating LNG bunkering operations in 2016, FortisBC has
steadily expanded its capabilities and partnerships―including a landmark
agreement with the Musqueam Indian Band to collaborate on LNG projects―
helping vessel operators transition away from higher‑emitting fuels.
FortisBC continues to focus on meeting demand and advocating for
expanded LNG refuelling infrastructure to position British Columbia as a
leading marine bunkering hub.
“Reaching our 10,000th LNG bunkering delivery is a testament to
the innovation, collaboration and long‑term commitment that defines FortisBC’s
approach to providing increased access to lower carbon intensity marine energy
compared with traditional marine fuels,” said Mike Leclair, vice president of
major projects and LNG at FortisBC.
“This milestone reflects not just the growth of our LNG
capabilities, but also the shared effort to build a sustainable future for
marine transportation with made-in-B.C. refueling solutions.”
The delivery follows a year of noteworthy firsts at the Port of
Vancouver for LNG produced at the FortisBC’s Tilbury facility and delivered
through Seaspan Energy LNG bunker vessels, including Canada’s first
ship-to-ship LNG transfer, the first LNG transfer to a car carrier and the
first cruise ship bound for Alaska fueled with LNG. In Vancouver’s English Bay,
the first ship-to-ship LNG transfer to a container vessel was also completed.
A key driver of this growth in LNG bunkerings has been
FortisBC’s collaboration with Seaspan Ferries and BC Ferries to develop
proprietary tanker‑truck technology that enables safe and efficient LNG
fuelling directly onboard vessels.
The Seaspan Swift ferry
was the first in North America to receive LNG fuel via delivery truck on-board
an open vehicle deck.
“As Canada looks to double exports to non-U.S. markets in the
next 10 years, the Port of Vancouver will play an outsized role in moving more
of what Canadians make, mine, harvest and grow–and we know that must be done
with care for the environment,” said Alexa Young, vice president of government,
external and environmental affairs at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.
“LNG bunkering has an important part to play as the first
alternative fuel available in significant quantities for the maritime sector.
We’ve seen cruise, cargo and container ships all embrace LNG since its
introduction to the port last year through approved provider Seaspan Energy,
helping reduce air pollutant emissions while keeping Canadian cargo
moving.”
U.S. opposition helps
delay IMO NZF decision
Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Laura DiBella participated
as part of the U.S. Delegation to MEPC 84, where she says, she helped reinforce
constructive U.S. engagement to resolve the NZF impasse. During the week, the
U.S. Delegation, including Chairman DiBella, met with over 20 delegations to
encourage member states to explore all available options to achieve broad
consensus.
Chairman DiBella underscored the need for the full IMO
membership to consider viable alternatives submitted by several other countries
that would ensure industry stability while preventing harm to U.S. consumers.
One of those alternatives was proposed in a proposal submitted
to the MEPC by Liberia, with the co-sponsorship of Argentina and Panama. It
proposes a revised, pragmatic, and consensus‑building approach to defining and
adjusting the trajectory of the Global Fuel Intensity (GFI) target.
Expect to hear a lot more on this approach in the weeks ahead.
“The NZF, championed by the European Union as a global version
of its deeply unpopular regional Emissions Trading Scheme, would force American
consumers to pay a carbon tax for shipments transiting international waters,”
said a statement released by DiBella.
“At the last IMO negotiation in October 2025, a major coalition
of countries representing more than half of the world’s commercial fleet
expressed uncertainty about the NZF’s implementation. As envisioned, ships out
of compliance with the NZF’s strict fuel standards, which would have impacted
97% of the global fleet, would be liable to pay the tax, and these charges
would then be passed along to consumers.
After a series of bilateral discussions, Chairman DiBella
concluded that although NZF proponents may believe they have engaged in
meaningful negotiations with all parties in the IMO, in reality the insistence
of a minority bloc had previously overwhelmed the silent majority, until this
week at the MEPC, when that silent majority finally found its voice.
“The U.S. will explore all potential remedial options to protect
American consumers from a disputed and unneeded global carbon tax,” said the
statement. “Chairman DiBella will ensure that the FMC’s role and statutory
authorities remain at the forefront of the discussion, to include the
Commission’s ability to monitor flag states that establish or follow laws or
regulations that result in unfavorable shipping conditions in U.S. foreign
trade.”
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), which has long
advocated for proposals along the lines of the NZF, released this statement:
This week’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine
Environment Protection Committee meeting (MEPC 84) saw further deliberation
between IMO Member States on the future of the draft ‘IMO Net-Zero
Framework’ (NZF) to decarbonize international maritime transport.
This followed the Extraordinary Session last October which had
postponed a decision on whether to adopt the NZF for global implementation
(subsequent to approval of a draft regulatory text in April 2025).
At the conclusion of this week’s MEPC meeting, Thomas A Kazakos,
Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), made the
following comments:
“The constructive dialogue that has taken place this week is
hugely welcome, although it is clear that many Member States are still unable
to adopt a global regulatory framework unless further adjustments are made.
“The shipping industry is fully committed to achieving the
ambitions of the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy and has already delivered substantial
GHG emissions reductions. It is
vital that governments move towards adoption of a comprehensive fit-for-purpose
global framework as soon as possible to enable the industry to further
accelerate
its rapid transition to alternative energy sources. “We therefore welcome
the decision to convene additional negotiations in September to which ICS
intends to contribute ideas on a possible way forward to achieve the necessary
support amongst all Member States.”
Bulker Evades
Suspicious Approach South of Yemen
A safety warning went out to shipping on May 1 after an
unidentified skiff approached a bulker sailing south of Yemen. The
authorities believe there was a clear intent to board the vessel, but it was
able to evade the incident by taking defensive measures and displaying its
armed guards.
The incident took place approximately 92 nautical miles south of
Al Mukalla, Yemen, in the Gulf of Aden. The nationality of the attackers was
not determined, but it is near the Houthis ' strongholds, and there have been
reports of increased activity by pirates coming from Somalia.
The unnamed bulker reported that a skiff with a black hull and
carrying seven people aggressively approached. It said the individuals appeared
to be heavily armed and intent on boarding the bulker. The skiff came within 10
meters (33 feet) of the vessel.
The bulker reported that it increased speed and took other
evasive maneuvers. UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) is crediting the
defensive maneuvers and the readiness of the crew and armed security guards for
preventing the boarding.
The skiff aborted its approach and withdrew. It is unclear from
the report if there was another vessel in the area working as a mothership.
EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta has issued multiple warnings over
the past two weeks based on an increase in activity from Somalia. Several
vessels have reported being approached, and
in at least one case, the pirates and the security guards aboard a vessel
departing Somalia traded fire.
Two ships, a small tanker and a cargo ship, were seized and
taken toward the Somali coast. Atalanta is working with the local authorities
and monitoring the vessels, which continue to be controlled by the
pirates.
/// Air Cargo News ///
China’s e-commerce air exports declined
in March
E-commerce air trade volumes out of China, which have turbocharged air cargo demand in recent years, declined in March for the first time in a number of years.
Analysis carried out by consultant and data provider Aevean shows that in March, e-commerce volumes from China declined by 6% year on year.
Aevean managing director Marco Bloemen pointed out that this is the first year-on-year decline since June 2023.
Bloemen said that the decline was driven by the ongoing impact of the US withdrawing the de minmis exemption and the outbreak of fighting between the US and Iran in the Middle East at the end of March.
Indeed, the consultant’s figures show that e-commerce demand between China and North America was down 24% year on year, while the drop off to Middle East/South Asia was 45%.
However,
the situation is expected to improve in April.
Image:
© AeveanAevean pointed out that the US removed the de minimis exemption for low-value packages from China in early April last year, meaning that this month is the first like-for-like comparison since the exemption ended.
Meanwhile, airspace in the Middle East gradually reopened in April as peace talks between the US and Iran got underway and a fragile ceasefire was implemented.
While e-commerce demand from China was down to North America and the Middle East, there were improvements elsewhere.
Volumes to Europe increased by 27% and Latin America was up 31%, although neither was enough to offset the other declines.
E-commerce volumes in June 2023 fell due to sluggish economies, an inflation-related consumer spending slowdown and growing trade tensions.
Lufthansa Cargo sees profits rise following Middle East conflict
Lufthansa’s logistics division saw cargo traffic, revenues and operating profits improve in the first quarter of the year in part as a result of capacity tightness caused by the Middle East conflict.
The logistics division, which includes Lufthansa Cargo, time:matters, Jettainer, HeyWorld and a 50% stake in AeroLogic, saw revenues improve by 5% to €876m, earnings before interest and tax (ebit) were up 40% to €83m and cargo traffic improved by 7% to 2.2bn revenue cargo tonne kms.
The outbreak of fighting in the Middle East led to capacity shortages as leading cargo carriers in the region grounded operations, which would have boosted the volumes and revenues of carriers that were able to keep flying.
Carriers with freighters operating on the Asia-Europe trade lane in particular benefited from the situation.
The carrier also benefited from a 7% increase in capacity, a large part of which was due to the cargo business now marketing the capacities of ITA Airways.
“In the context of the significant change in the market environment since the
start of the conflict in the Middle East, the cargo business gained further
momentum towards the end of the quarter,” said Lufthansa.
“A reduction in the volume of capacity on the market and ongoing disruptions to global supply chains prompted a recovery of yields relative to previous quarters.
“In particular, this trend was driven by continued strong business in the Asia/Pacific region as well as a stable overall level of market demand. This was reflected in an increase in cargo tonnage.”
However, the carrier added that some of the gains were offset by increased operating costs as fuel prices increased.
There were also several strikes carried out during the first quarter that affected the cargo business, the carrier pointed out. Yields were 1.9% down on a year ago despite the Middle East-related pickup in March, while the cargo load factor was flat at 64.4%.
In comparison, European rival, Air France KLM, saw first-quarter revenues at the cargo business decline by 3.5% year on year to €600m despite cargo volumes increasing by 4% to 234,000 tons and cargo traffic improving by 3.8% to 1.8bn revenue tonne km.
The overall Lufthansa Group still expects to improve its full-year profit for 2026, but says the outlook has become more uncertain and subject to greater risks following the Middle East conflict.
It comes after the group posted an adjusted operating loss of €612m for the first quarter, marking an improvement of €110m over the same period last year.
Lufthansa Group’s net loss was cut by one-quarter, to €665m, over the same period.
Strong travel demand, particularly in March as traffic flows adjusted to disruption in the Middle East, helped drive an 8% increase in group revenue to €8.8bn over the first three months of the year as load factor and yields both improved.
LATAM Cargo the latest to target Caracas
LATAM Cargo is the latest airline to announce flights to Venezuela following the lifting of US sanctions on the country.
The airline’s Colombian subsidiary launched the twice-weekly flights between Miami International and Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS) in Caracas on 3 May.
The service will operate on Sundays and Thursdays using one of the airline’s Boeing 767 freighters and was introduced in response to “demand for connectivity between the US and Venezuela”.
After leaving Caracas, the service calls at Bogota.
“The
strength of LATAM Cargo’s network enabled the rapid deployment of this service.
The opening of this route reflects exactly the type of organisation we strive to be: agile, present, and solution-oriented-oriented,” said Andrés Varela, North America commercial director at LATAM Cargo Group.
The service will primarily carry general cargo and courier shipments, with the capability to handle specific requirements for segments such as oversize cargo and pharmaceuticals, among other services.
“This move consolidates Miami as a strategic hub, providing the operational flexibility that has allowed the group to structure a service with a fixed schedule and a dedicated commercial team, adapting its network to the specific requirements of each market,” the airline added in a press release.
The last couple of months have seen airlines ramp up their operations to Caracas as part of a broader re-set by the global aviation industry in the wake of political change in Venezuela and the end of Nicolás Maduro’s rule at the start of this year, when he was seized by the US.
Since the change of leadership, the country has been opening up, with the US easing sanctions on individuals and banks in the country, allowing US businesses to start operations and Venezuelan financial institutions to legally use US dollars and re-enter the global financial market.
DHL, Avianca, Cargojet and Amerijet have also all been ramping up services to the country.
Figures covering late April from data provider and consultant Rotate show that total international cargo capacity heading to the country over the past seven days has increased by around 40% year on year.
Qatar Cargo introduces smart temperature solution for pharma
Qatar Airways Cargo has introduced a pharma solution to manage dual-temperature requirements within a single shipment journey and improve shelf-life protection.
Pharma Passive FlexTemp is the first of its kind to support temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical and healthcare shipments as their thermal needs evolve during transit—particularly when single-use passive packaging reaches the end of its effective life cycle, said Qatar Airways Cargo.
“As the use of self-contained passive packaging continues to grow across the pharma supply chain, so too does the complexity of temperature control,” stressed the cargo division of Qatar Airways.
“Many shipments begin their journey within a defined temperature range, secured by passive solutions, but then require a different transport temperature to preserve product integrity.
“Until now, this critical transition phase has remained largely unsupported across the air cargo industry.”
Available as an add-on service for Pharma Passive and Pharma Critical Passive, Pharma Passive FlexTemp is now available for booking via Qatar Airways Cargo’s Digital Lounge, across all
FlexTemp corridors on the carrier’s network. In 2023, Qatar Airways Cargo and Envirotainer joined forces to offer a more sustainable solution for shipping temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals.
ACS flies over 200 rescued cats and dogs to their new home
Charter broker Air Charter Service (ACS) recently helped transport more than 200 rescue animals from California to three other locations utilising a single flight.
The rescued cats and dogs were transported from Merced in California to their new homes in Salem, Arlington and Spokane.
Thomas Howe, chief executive of ACS California, said that the aircraft made three drops with a team of volunteers helping with the loading.
“We were approached by a charity that we have worked with before to fly more than 200 rescue cats and dogs, many of the dogs were very young puppies, to three different rehoming programmes in northern states, so they could start their new lives,” said Howe.
“Flying them means that the animals are in transit for much less time than they would be travelling by road.
“There are several specialist considerations when arranging charters with animals on board, so we sent one of our team to Merced to oversee the loading, ensuring that everything went smoothly.”
The animals were loaded onto aircraft in little over an hour.
“The
aircraft made three drops, first in Salem, Oregon, where it was on the ground
for just over 30 minutes, before flying to Arlington and Spokane in
Washington,” added Howe.
“The cats and dogs all arrived at their final destinations safely and ready to start their new lives. It’s charters like this where we feel that we’re making a real difference, not only to the animals, but to the people who will be welcoming them to their families.”
The operation was the second canine operation carried out by ACS this year.
The company recently helped with the transportation of 36 husky dogs to the US to take part in a sled race.
The huskies were transported, along with their handlers, from Oslo in Norway to Anchorage in Alaska to take part in the Iditarod sled race across the state.
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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