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 May 12, 2026
Today’s
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/// Sea Cargo News ///
Trump rejects Iran response as Hormuz tensions push oil prices higher
US President Donald Trump
rejected Iran’s response to Washington’s latest peace proposal, raising fears
that the conflict will continue and keep shipping through the Strait of Hormuz
heavily disrupted.
“I don’t like it – TOTALLY
UNACCEPTABLE,” Trump wrote on Truth Social after Tehran submitted its response
through Pakistani mediators.
Iran’s proposal focused on
ending the war across the region, especially in Lebanon. Iranian media said
Tehran also demanded compensation for war damage, an end to the US naval
blockade, guaranteed against future attacks, sanctions relief, and recognition
of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
The US proposal aimed to stop
the fighting before talks moved to more difficult issues, including Iran’s
nuclear programme.
Oil prices jumped more than
US$4 per barrel on Monday after Trump rejected the response. Before the war
began on 28 February, the Strait of Hormuz handled around 20% of global oil and
LNG trade.
Analysts said oil markets
continue reacting sharply to every diplomatic or military development between
Washington and Tehran.
Despite the disruption,
shipping data from Kpler and LSEG showed that three crude tankers exited the
Strait of Hormuz in recent days with tracking systems switched off to reduce
the risk of attack.
The war is also increasing
political pressure inside the USA as fuel prices rise ahead of congressional
elections later this year.
At the same time, the US has
struggled to secure broad inter-national support for a naval mission to reopen
the Strait of Hormuz. NATO allies have reportedly refused to deploy ships
without a wider peace agreement and an internationally mandated mission.
Trump is expected to discuss in
Iran with Xi Jinping during his upcoming visit to Beijing, as Washington seeks
China’s help in pushing Tehran toward a deal.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu
said the conflict was not over and stressed that Iran’s enriched uranium
stockpiles, missile programme and regional proxy groups still needed to be
addressed.
Iranian President Masoud
Pezeshikian said iran would “never bow down to the enemy” and would continue
defending its national interests.
Security tensions in the Gulf
remained high over the weekend. The UAE said it intercepted two drones launched
from Iran. Qatar condemned a drone strike on a cargo ship near its waters.
Kuwait also reported hostile drones entering its airspace.
Clashes also continued in southern Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah despite a US brokered ceasefire announced in April.
India-bound LPG Tanker
Clears Hormuz, Set to Ease Supply Pressure
An India-bound liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG) tanker has successfully exited the strategically sensitive
Strait of Hormuz and is now en route to the country, offering partial relief to
ongoing supply constraints.
The Marshall Islands-flagged
vessel MT Sarv Shakti, carrying 46,313 tonnes of LPG, cleared the key shipping
corridor on May 2 and is expected to arrive at Visakhapatnam on May 13. The
tanker has a crew of 20, including 18 Indian nationals.
The shipment—chartered by
Indian Oil Corporation—is estimated to meet roughly half a day of India’s LPG
demand, providing some respite amid disruptions caused by the ongoing West Asia
conflict. The vessel was located in the Gulf of Oman as of Sunday evening,
according to ship-tracking data.
Notably, Sarv Shakti is the
first India-linked tanker to transit the conflict-hit zone since a US-led
blockade targeting Iran-linked vessels significantly curtailed traffic through
the Hormuz Strait.
Meanwhile, 14 Indian flagged or
India owned vessels remain stranded west of the Strait. Authorities confirmed
that no incidents involving Indian ships were reported in the past 24 hours.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping
and Waterways, in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs and
maritime stakeholders, continues to ensure crew safety and operational
continuity.
Since activation, the Director
General of Shipping’s control room has handled over 8,000 calls nearly 18,000
emails. India has also repatriated more than 2,950 seafarers from the Gulf
region, including 31 in the past day. Officials added that port operations
across India remain stable, with no congestion reported.
CONCOR Expands
Domestic Logistics Network with First Container Rake to Hubballi
Container Corporation of India
(CONCOR) has marked a significant milestone in strengthening its domestic
logistics footprint by positioning its first rake of empty containers from ICD
Whitefield, Bengaluru to MAKU Siding in Hubballi, Karnataka.
The operation, carried out on
May 2, was executed in collaboration with M/s TCI-CONCOR, with M/s SLR
Metallics as the key customer. The MAKU Siding facility is owned by M/s
MSPL-AHB.
This strategic move enables the
efficient transportation of pig iron using domestic containers from the
MSPL-AHB siding to ICPH, enhancing bulk cargo handling capabilities. By
integrating rail and containerized logistics, the initiative is expected to bring
greater efficiency and reliability to cargo movement.
The development is poised to
boost regional supply chains by improving first- and last-mile connectivity,
reducing transit time, and promoting seamless multimodal logistics solutions.
It also reflects CONCOR’s continued efforts to expand its inland logistics
network and support industrial growth across key manufacturing hubs in
Karnataka and beyond.
MDL Acquires Majority
Stake in Colombo Dockyard, Marking India’s First Overseas Shipyard Buy
In a landmark move for India’s
maritime sector, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has acquired a 51%
controlling stake in Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC), marking the country’s first
international shipyard acquisition and strengthening its strategic footprint in
the Indian Ocean Region.
The deal, initiated in January
2025, was completed in April 2026 after extensive regulatory approvals in both
India and Sri Lanka. MDL invested about $53 million (₹452 crore) to secure the
stake via the Colombo Stock Exchange, and subsequently infused an additional
$40 million to stabilise and expand operations.
“This acquisition holds
long-term significance for bilateral ties… We see significant synergies,” said
Captain Jagmohan, Chairperson and Managing Director of MDL, who has also taken
charge as Non-Executive Chairman of CDPLC.
For India, the acquisition
offers both commercial expansion and a strategic presence in Sri Lanka’s
largest shipyard, located at the busy Colombo Port.
Pirates Hijack
Togo-Flagged Tanker Eureka Near Yemen Coast
Suspected pirates have hijacked
the Togo-flagged tanker Eureka off the coast of Yemen, raising fresh concerns
over maritime security in the region. The incident is believed to have occurred
in waters that have seen a rise in piracy and armed attacks amid ongoing
geopolitical tensions.
Initial reports indicate that
armed assailants boarded the vessel and took control, though details regarding
the crew’s safety and the cargo on board remain unclear. Maritime security
agencies and naval forces operating in the area have been alerted and are
closely monitoring the situation.
The hijacking underscores
growing risks for commercial shipping in and around key transit routes near
Yemen, a region critical to global oil and cargo flows. Industry
stakeholders have been increasingly cautious, with some operators reassessing
routes and security protocols in response to escalating threats.
Authorities are expected to
launch further investigations while coordinating efforts to secure the vessel
and ensure the safe release of its crew. The incident is likely to add pressure
on shipping lines and insurers already grappling with heightened risk premiums
in the region.
/// Air Cargo News ///
Mopa Airport to
Get ₹13.5 Cr Export Pack House Under Govt Plan
The government has unveiled plans to develop a ₹13.5 crore export pack house at Mopa Airport, a move aimed at strengthening air cargo infrastructure and boosting outbound shipments from the region.
The proposed facility will cater primarily to perishable cargo, including fruits, vegetables, seafood, and floriculture products, ensuring better handling, sorting, grading, and packaging before export.
The pack house is expected to play a key role in enhancing the efficiency and quality of exports by integrating modern cold chain and logistics support systems. By reducing transit time and minimizing post-harvest losses, the facility will help exporters maintain product freshness and meet international quality standards.
Strategically located at Mopa Airport, the project is set to improve connectivity for exporters in Goa and nearby regions, offering faster access to global markets. It is also expected to benefit farmers, agri-exporters and small businesses by providing streamlined infrastructure and reducing dependency on distant cargo hubs.
Officials noted that the initiative aligns with the government’s broader push to strengthen export oriented infrastructure and promote agricultural and perishable exports. Once operational, the pack house is likely to enhance cargo volumes at the airport while contributing to regional economic growth and job creation.
Blue Dart Launches New Aviation Hub in Chennai to Boost Cargo Efficiency
The state-of-the-art facility, spanning 4,912 square metres upon completion, is strategically located at the Blue Dart Aviation Terminal with seamless airside and landside connectivity.
The
hub is designed to enable faster and more efficient shipment transfers,
significantly improving transit times and enhancing the company’s service
quality. The new facility will also serve as the headquarters of Blue Dart
Aviation, India’s only commercial cargo airline.
It operates a dedicated fleet of six Boeing 757-200 freighters, offering a capacity of 500 tonnes every night across 73 flight sectors daily.
Equipped with BCAS approved screening systems, the hub features in-house X-ray machines, specialised equipment and dedicated manpower to ensure high security standards.
Charles Brewer, CEO of DHL eCommerce, highlighted India’s strong growth potential across sectors such as e-Commerce, BFSI, automotive and pharmaceuticals, emphasising continued investments in infrastructure and services to support customer demand.
Malcolm Monteiro, CEO of DHL India said the new hub will further improve transit times and on-time performance, reinforcing the company’s position as a reliable logistics partner.
Anil Khanna, MD of Blue Dart, reiterated the company’s commitment to investing in advanced technology and infra-structure to deliver superior and customised logistics solutions.
In addition to operational capabilities, the hub includes BCAS and DGCA approved training facilities. These will support crew, engineering, security and operations training through dedicated instructors, further strengthening the company’s aviation capabilities.
The launch underscores Blue Dart’s ongoing commitment to supporting India’s growing logistics demand and economic expansion.
FedEx Bets on
Data, Digital Twins and AI for $90B Edge
The company is investing heavily in advanced technologies to optimise operations, improve efficiency, and deliver faster, more reliable services. At the core of this strategy is the use of digital twins—virtual replicas of physical assets and processes—that allow FedEx to simulate, monitor, and refine its logistics network in real time.
By integrating these models with AI and predictive analytics, the company can anticipate disruptions, optimise routes, and improve capacity planning across its air and ground operations.
FedEx is also harnessing vast amounts of operational data to enhance decision-making, from sorting hubs to last-mile delivery. AI driven insights are helping streamline workflows, reduce costs and improve service accuracy, particularly in handling time-sensitive and high value shipments.
The push reflects a broader industry trend toward digitisation and automation, as logistics providers seek to stay competitive in an increasingly complex supply chain environment. FedEx’s technology-led approach is expected to strengthen its market while delivering greater value to customers through improved visibility, efficiency and reliability.
Domestic demand lifts Air Canada cargo Q1 revenues
Air Canada reported an increase in air cargo revenues for the first quarter of the year due to its domestic business performance and fuel surcharges, though international business fared less well.
Cargo operating revenues for the airline in the first quarter totalled C$259m, up 3.5% from C$250m in the first quarter of 2025.
“The increase was primarily driven by higher cargo volumes in all markets and yields in the domestic market,” said Air Canada.
“In addition, in response to the significant increase in the jet fuel prices, Air Canada Cargo implemented certain fuel surcharges, which, to a lesser extent, contributed to the increase.”
Referencing the Middle East conflict during the airline’s first quarter earning’s call, Mark Galardo, chief commercial officer and president, cargo, said the cargo division of Air Canada had increased spot rates and introduced a carrier surcharge to the market.
But the airline added: “The growth was partially offset by weaker yields year-over-year in international and transborder markets.”
Operating revenues for the whole airline increased 11% to C$5.8bn.
“In the first quarter, Air Canada built on the momentum of our best-ever fourth quarter to launch strongly into 2026. We reported record operating revenues of $5.8 billion, up more than 11 per cent from the same period in 2025,” said Michael Rousseau, president and chief executive.
“Our operating income of $117 million was a positive $225 million swing from a year ago, and we generated record adjusted EBITDA of $623 million, up 61%. These results show the efficacy of our strategy and the dedication of our employees, whom I thank for their hard work.”
Air Canada’s freighter fleet has not changed since March last year, with six Boeing 767 dedicated freighter aircraft in service.
Turkish Cargo partners with Air China Cargo on China-Turkey flights
Turkish Cargo and Air China Cargo have entered a partnership to meet air cargo demand between Turkey and China.
Air China Cargo is now operating scheduled cargo flights between Chengdu Shuangliu International (CTU) and Istanbul (IST), as part of its partnership with Turkish Cargo.
The cargo division of Turkish Airlines announced the partnership in a LinkedIn post today.
“We have started scheduled cargo flights between Chengdu and Istanbul, operated by Air China Cargo,” said Turkish Cargo.
“With
three weekly frequencies, this new route supports efficient connections from
Chengdu to a wide geography through our global network, while reinforcing
İstanbul’s role as a key transfer hub.”
Turkish Cargo did not specify what aircraft would be used for the flights, but according to fleet tracking site Planespotters, Air China Cargo has 13 Boeing 777 freighters, two Boeing 747-400Fs, and eight Airbus A330-200 passenger to freighter (P2F) aircraft.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cargo currently operates nine 777Fs and 10 Airbus A330-200Fs. It has a further three 777Fs on order, along with five Airbus A350Fs.
Turkish Airlines’ 2033 Vision targets 813 aircraft, with the freighter fleet anticipated to expand to 44 units.
In January, the airline announced the second phase of its SmartIST air cargo terminal and a new e-commerce facility to further support Turkish Cargo’s business growth.
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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