JUPITER SEA & AIR SERVICES PVT. LTD, EGMORE – CHENNAI, INDIA.
E-MAIL : Robert.sands@jupiterseaair.co.in Mobile : +91 98407 85202
Corporate News Letter for Monday May 04, 2026
Today’s
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/// Sea Cargo News ///
India, Australia Near
New Maritime Cooperation Roadmap, Pact Likely This Year
India and
Australia are in the final stages of drafting a new roadmap to strengthen
maritime cooperation, with the agreement expected to be signed later this year,
according to Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green.
The proposed
pact comes amid growing strategic alignment between the two nations in the
Indo-Pacific, where Australia increasingly views India as a key security
partner. The roadmap is expected to enhance collaboration across maritime
security, intelligence sharing, and joint operational capabilities.
Speaking
after the release of Australia’s new defence strategy—which identifies India as
a major security partner—Green highlighted the natural convergence of interests
between the two countries, particularly in the Indian Ocean. He noted that as
mutual trust deepens, both nations are likely to expand cooperation in
monitoring and securing vital sea lanes.
“The most
important collaboration happens where our strategic interests overlap and that
follows geography,” Green said, pointing to the northeast Indian Ocean as a
region of increasing strategic competition requiring coordinated surveillance
and resource sharing.
The envoy
underscored that bilateral defence ties have evolved significantly in recent
years. While earlier engagement focused on joint exercises, training exchanges
and high level visits, the partnership is now expanding into defence industry
and technology collaboration.
Australia
has already begun taking steps in this direction including sending its
first-ever defence commercial delegation to India last year. Discussions at
forums such as the Raisina Dialogue have also accelerated engagement in defence
manufacturing and technological co-operation.
Green added
that Australia’s push to build sovereign defence capabilities aligns well with
india’s growing defence industry, creating new opportunities for joint
development and industrial partnerships.
With the new
maritime roadmap nearing completion, both countries are expected to further
institutionalise cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region, reinforcing their
shared commitment to regional stability and security.
Basmati Exporters Flag
Soaring War-Risk Charges, Seek Urgent Government Intervention
The Basmati
Rice Farmers & Exporters Development Forum (BRFEDF) on Monday urged the
government to step in against what it termed arbitrary and opaque shipping
charges that are severely impacting India’s rice exports.
In a
statement, the forum said war-risk surcharges have surged dramatically—ranging
from $800 to as high as $6,000 per container—often imposed without prior notice
and, in some cases, revised even after cargo has already been shipped.
Exporters
reported that cumulative logistics costs have risen to 60–70 per cent of cargo
value, rendering many shipments commercially unviable. “Exporters are
effectively being asked to absorb open-ended financial liability for
circumstances entirely beyond their control,” said BRFEDF Chairperson Priyanka
Mittal.
The ongoing
West Asia crisis has further disrupted shipping operations, with carriers
unilaterally diverting cargo to alternative ports such as Jebel Ali, Sohar and
Salalah. Containers are also being held at trans-shipment hubs without clear
timelines for onward movement, while in some instances, shipments are being
returned to origin ports. Exports claim they are being forced to bear the
financial burden of these decisions despite having no role in them.
Highlighting
the strain on the sector, the forum warned that smaller exporters are
particularly vulnerable due to limited bargaining power against large global
shipping lines. Several traders indicated that mounting and unpredictable
charges have pushed them to consider abandoning cargo altogether.
BRFEDF has
called for immediate regulatory intervention including linking charges strictly
to services rendered, ensuring the release of containers without trying them to
disputed fees and establishing transparent guidelines for cargo handling during
geopolitical disruptions.
While
acknowledging that the Directorate General of Shipping has taken note of the
issue and forwarded complaints to an inter-ministerial group, the forum said
ground level conditions remain “extremely challenging”.
Mittal
cautioned that if such practices persist, they could set a damaging precent and
erode confidence in India’s maritime trade framework.
Basmati Exporters Slam
Shipping Lines Over ‘Hypocritical’ Force Majeure Claims Amid Gulf Crisis
India’s basmati rice exporters have sharply criticised global shipping lines for what they describe as “hypocritical” and “extortionist” practices in handling cargo stranded due to the ongoing Iran conflict and the resulting disruption at the Strait of Hormuz.
The Basmati
Rice Farmers and Exporters Development Forum (BFEDF) said shipments worth
millions of dollars remain stuck at inland container depots (ICDs),
transhipment hubs such as Jebel Ali in the UAE, and even mid-sea, as carriers
invoke force majeure to avoid delivery obligations while continuing to levy
charges.
BFEDF
Chairperson Priyanka Mittal told businessline that shipping lines are taking an
“asymmetrical position” by citing force majeure due to war conditions to deny
delivery, but not extending the same relief to exporters.
US Enforces Maritime
Blockade on Iran as Diplomatic Tensions Shift to Moscow
The United
States Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that American forces are
continuing a strict maritime restrictive operation in the region, effectively
enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports.
According to
official statements, US forces are actively preventing vessels from entering or
exiting Iranian waters as part of a broader effort to monitor and control
movement around key coastal hubs.
Highlighting
the scale of the enforcement, authorities stated that at least 38 ships have
been instructed to turn back or return to port, underscoring the intensity of
the ongoing maritime restrictions.
Amid this
escalating pressure, Iran has ramped up its diplomatic outreach. Iranian
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russia on Monday for high-level
talks with President Vladimir Putin. The visit follows Araghchi’s recent
engagements in Islamabad and Muscat and is expected to include discussions with
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The
diplomatic push comes at a sensitive moment, particularly after US President
Donald Trump cancelled a planned visit to Islamabad by envoys Steve Witkoff and
Jared Kushner, a move that stalled direct mediation efforts.
Despite the
setback, indirect communication channels remain active. Iran has reportedly
sent “written messages” to Washington through Pakistan, outlining its red lines
n its nuclear programme and the strategic situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The broader
geopolitical tensions have had significant global repercussion Although a ceasefire involving the US, Israel
and Iran has largely held: Iran’s closure of Strait of Hormuz has severely
disrupted the flow of oil, gas and fertilizers, triggering price surges and
raising concerns over food security, particularly in developing nations.
While hopes
for renewed negotiations in Pakistan diminished following the cancelled US
visit, fresh diplomatic signals have emerged. Reports indicate that Tehran has
proposed a framework to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end hostilities,
including a suggestion to defer nuclear negotiations to a later
stage-potentially paving the way for de-escalation in both maritime and
economic tensions.
India–New Zealand FTA
Grants 100% Duty-Free Access, Boosting Indian Export Competitiveness
India is set
to gain comprehensive market access in the South Pacific following the
conclusion of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a landmark pact
that grants 100 per cent duty-free access to Indian exports across all tariff
lines.
The
agreement between India and New Zealand effectively covers the entire existing
export basket, eliminating customs duties and significantly lowering the landed
cost of Indian goods in the New Zealand market.
The move is
expected to enhance price competitiveness and create new growth avenues for
Indian exporters. Key sectors poised to benefit include textiles,
pharmaceuticals, engineering goods and agri-processed products. With tariffs
removed, Indian manufacturers in these segments are likely to see improved
demand and stronger positioning against global competitors.
The
pharmaceutical sector, in particular, is expected to gain from easier
regulatory pathways and cost advantages, while engineering goods and textiles
could witness higher volumes by better market penetration.
Trade
experts note that the agreement goes beyond tariff elimination, aiming to
deepen supply chain integration and strengthen bilateral economic ties. By
ensuring full market access, the FTA provides Indian exporters with a level
playing field in a developed market known for its stringent quality standards
and high value consumption patterns.
The pact is
also expected to support India’s broader export diversification strategy,
reducing dependence on traditional markets while expanding its footprint in
newer geographies. Increased access to New Zealand could serve as a gateway for
Indian businesses to tap into wider Oceania markets and integrate more
effectively into global value chains.
Port Houston Surpasses
1 Million TEUs in First Quarter Throughput
Port Houston
has surpassed the 1 million TEU mark in the first quarter, reflecting strong
container throughput and continued momentum in cargo activity at one of the
United States’ busiest trade gateways. The performance highlights resilient
demand across import and export markets despite ongoing global supply chain
uncertainties.
The
milestone was driven by steady volumes across Port Houston’s container
terminals, supported by robust consumer demand, industrial shipments, and
growing trade flows through the Gulf Coast region.
Officials
said ongoing infrastructure investments and terminal efficiency measures have
helped accommodate rising cargo traffic and maintain service reliability. Port
Houston noted that exceeding 1 million TEUs in the opening quarter positions
the port for another solid year of growth. The result also reinforces Houston’s
strategic importance as a major logistics hub connecting U.S. markets with
international shipping routes.
Iranian Coast Guard
Fires Warning Shots at Chemical Tanker with Indian Crew Near Oman; All Safe
A
Togo-flagged chemical tanker carrying 12 Indian crew members came under fire
from the Iranian Coast Guard near the coast of Oman on April 25, prompting
fresh concerns over maritime safety in the region.
The vessel,
MT Siron, was sailing near the outer port limits of Shinas when the incident
occurred, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) confirmed on
Monday.
Addressing a
press briefing, Mandeep Singh Randhawa, Director at MoPSW, said the tanker was
part of a group of vessels navigating the area when Iranian Coast Guard units
fired warning shots. Despite the escalation, all Indian crew members on board
were reported safe.
“The
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is in constant contact with the
Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions, and maritime stakeholders, and
remains committed to ensuring the safety of the crew and maritime operations.
All Indian seafarers in the region are safe,” Randhawa stated.
Star Princess makes West Coast debut at
Port of Los Angeles
Princess Cruises has introduced its newest vessel, Star Princess, to the U.S. West Coast with a debut call at the Port of Los Angeles. The arrival marks a major milestone in the long-standing partnership between the cruise line and the port, which spans more than 60 years.
Expanded
cruise options from Los Angeles – Star Princess will
offer a range of itineraries from Los Angeles through 2027. These include
sailings to the Pacific Coast, Mexican Riviera and the Panama Canal.
Key
departures include :
-
16 Day Panama Canal Voyage (October 2026 to
October 2027)
-
7 day Mexican Riviera cruise (April 2027)
-
4 day Pacific Coastal itinerary (April 2027)
The
deployment strengthens Los Angeles’s role as a major cruise hub on the U.S.
West Coast.
A next
generation cruise ship – the 177,800 ton ship can carry up to 4,300
passengers. It features 2,157 staterooms, including suites, mini-suites and
over 1,000 balcony cabins.
Passengers
have access to :
· 30 dining and bar venues
· Five entertainment spaces, including a 990 seat arena
· Multiple pools, a spa and a fitness centre
· New sports facilities for pickleball and basket ball.
The vessel reflects the cruise line’s push to
enhance onboard experiences while expanding itinerary choices.
Strong Port
and Tourism impact : The
Port of Los Angeles continues to benefit from growing cruise activity. In 2025,
it recorded 241 cruise calls and handled 1.6 million passengers, generating an
estimated $300 Million for the local economy.
Each cruise
call contributes roughly $1.3 million in local spending, supporting businesses
near the port.
With Star
Princess joining the fleet operating from Los Angeles-alongside Discovery
Princess, Emerald Princess and Crown Princess-the Port is set to maintain
strong cruise traffic in coming years.
/// Air Cargo News ///
ECS Group and My
Freighter Expand Strategic Partnership to Boost Global Cargo Connectivity
ECS Group
and My Freighter have strengthened their strategic partnership to enhance
global cargo connectivity and broaden air freight opportunities across key
international markets.
The expanded
collaboration is aimed at improving capacity access, streamlining cargo
operations, and offering customers more efficient logistics solutions. Under
the partnership, ECS Group will leverage its global GSSA expertise and
extensive network to support My Freighter’s commercial growth, while My
Freighter will add greater flexibility and reach through its growing fleet and
route network.
The move is
expected to create stronger links between Asia, Europe, and other major trade
corridors. Both companies said the agreement reflects rising demand for
reliable air cargo services and underscores their commitment to delivering
seamless, customer-focused transport solutions in an evolving logistics
environment.
First 777-8F spotted at Boeing’s
factory
The first
near fully formed Boeing 777-8 freighter has been spotted at the aircraft
manufacturer’s Everett production facility one month after assembly teams
brought the mid-fuselage together with the composite wings.
Photographer
Matt Cawby revealed the image of the 777-8F aircraft structure in the Everett
factory at Seattle Paine Field International Airport in a 24 April post on
social media platform X.
As well as
the wing-body join, last month Boeing had been working on outfitting the
forward and aft fuselage sections with systems and wiring.
Boeing
announced in July 2025 that it had created the first
spar, the long beam that forms the critical
load-bearing support, for the first 777-8F wing.
Boeing then started
production on the 777-8F in the same month.
The 777-8F
was originally anticipated to come to market in 2027, but in October 2024,
Boeing announced it would delay
launch until 2028.
Meanwhile,
in December last year, Air Cargo News reported that Boeing was
seeking an emissions exemption from the US Department of Transportation (DOT)
to enable it to continue selling 777 freighters beyond the end of 2027 and
bridge the gap until its 777-8F comes to market.
The 777-8F
has won 68 orders from customers worldwide since Boeing launched the programme
in 2022 with Qatar
Airways as the launch customer.
IndiGo starts Kunming-Kolkata freighter
operations
Indian
low-cost carrier IndiGo has launched regular cargo flights between Kolkata
in India and Kunming in China to expand its network in Asia.
Flights
between Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (CCU) and Kunming Changshui
International (KMG) began on 20 April and will operate three times a week with
an Airbus A321 freighter.
On the
inaugural flight day, the inbound cargo consisted of nine tons of crabs from
India, while the outbound cargo was approximately 21.4 tons of general goods.
IndiGo said
that the route will boost the air logistics capacity between southwest China
and eastern India, providing capacity for fresh produce, cross-border
e-commerce parcels, and various general commodities.
Gince
Kuruvilla Mattam, consul general of consulate general of India in Guangzhou,
stated: “IndiGo has emerged as India’s leading airline in terms of both
passenger traffic and fleet size, with its CarGo network covering South Asia
and extending to countries across Asia and Europe.
“The
Kolkata-Kunming cargo route links China’s gateway to South and Southeast Asia
with the logistics hub in eastern India; it serves not only as a logistics
express lane but also as an important bridge for China-India economic and trade
cooperation.
“The launch
of this route also underscores Yunnan Airport Group’s extensive professional
network and its
open, collaborative approach.
“Taking this
route as the starting point, we are willing to deepen cooperation, increase
flight frequencies, manage logistics costs more efficiently, facilitate
Yunnan’s products to access the global market and Indian goods to enter the
Chinese market, and jointly build a high-quality model for China-India aviation
cooperation.”
Kolkata
serves as a key node for trade between Yunnan and India, while Kunming is
building itself into a distribution centre for south and Southeast Asia.
American rebuffs merger talks with
United
Image: © United AirlinesUnited
Airlines has said American Airlines “declined to engage” in its efforts to
initiate talks about a potential merger.
The US
airline’s chief executive Scott Kirby addressed American’s decision not to
consider a merger proposal in a 27 April statement.
Kirby said:
“I approached American about exploring a combination because I thought we could
do something incredible for customers together. I always knew that the only way
any merger could be successful (and approved) is if it was great for customers
and with a willing partner that shared my big, bold vision.
“I was
confident that this combination, which would have been about adding and not
subtracting, creating a truly great airline that customers love, could get
regulatory approval.
“I was
hoping to pitch that story to American, but they declined to engage and instead
responded by publicly closing the door. And without a willing partner,
something this big simply can’t get done.”
American had
issued a statement on 17 April that declared it was not interested in a merger
with United and that it believed any such merger would be detrimental to
business competition.
The
statement read: “American Airlines is not engaged with or interested in any
discussions regarding a merger with United Airlines.
“While
changes in the broader airline marketplace may be necessary, a combination with
United would be negative for competition and for consumers, and therefore
inconsistent with our understanding of the Administration’s philosophy toward
the industry and principles of antitrust law.
“Our focus
will remain on executing on our strategic objectives and positioning American
to win for the long term.”
Meanwhile,
Kirby added that while “American’s public comments make it clear that a merger
like this is off the table for the foreseeable future”, the proposed merger was
about growth, investments and global competitiveness in comparison to past
situations where “airline mergers usually have been about two struggling
airlines coming together to cut costs, flights and headcount”.
Kirby said
that United intended for a combination of the two airlines to offer enhanced
products, services and technology, more value, and a US airline that is better
able to compete with other global carriers for business in and out of the
country.
He added:
“While our pursuit of talks with American have ended, our mission to build the
greatest airline in the history of aviation at United is well underway.”
Air cargo
revenue dropped 1.6% for United Cargo in the first quarter of this year.
Meanwhile, American Airlines’ cargo operating revenues climbed 12.9% to $214m.
Çelebi Aviation enters Kenyan cargo
handling market
Turkey-headquartered
ground handler Çelebi Aviation has announced its entry into the Kenyan aviation
and air cargo market.
The
announcement follows the handler’s 100% acquisition of Transglobal Cargo Centre
Ltd, known as Africa Flight Services for $40.1m in January.
Located at
Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Africa Flight Services
provides ground handling, air cargo and warehousing services.
The handler
said in a press release today that its move into Kenya marked “a key milestone
in its expansion across Africa” and reinforced “its focus on high-potential
regions”.
Çelebi
added: “The expansion into Kenya signals confidence in the region’s aviation
potential and supports the company’s ambition to deepen its presence across the
continent.
“Çelebi
Aviation continues to prioritize markets where it can leverage its global
expertise to drive efficiency, service quality, and long-term value creation.”
Çelebi
Aviation previously had a concession agreement for the provision of ground
handling and cargo services at Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The contract
ran from March 2021 until this year, when Çelebi Aviation said it “opted not to
continue operations in the country” as it wanted to “focus on markets that
offer sustainable, long-term opportunities” for growth.
Air India CEO flags flight cuts as jet
fuel spike makes routes unviable
Air India
has cut flight schedules and warned of further reductions in the coming months
as a "massive rise in jetfuel prices", along with airspace
restrictions and longer flying routes, has made several international
operations unviable, according to a communication by its CEO Campbell Wilson.
Flagging the
immediate challenge, Wilson said, "We have reduced some flying for April
and May" due to the sharp spike in fuel costs, adding that these factors
"has caused many of our international flights to become unprofitable to
operate."
e further
noted that the situation remains "extremely challenging," forcing the
airline to take additional steps. "The airspace and jetfuel price
situation remains extremely challenging, leaving us no choice but to further
trim schedules for June and July," he said.
While domestic operations have also been impacted, the effect has been
relatively lower. "The profitability of domestic flights has also been
significantly affected, but to a lower degree thanks to the government's
limitation of the domestic fuel price rise to 25%," Wilson said.
The airline
also expressed concern over the broader geopolitical situation, particularly in
the Middle East, which has disrupted operations. Wilson said the company hopes
"the Middle East situation settles - and the Strait of Hormuz opens - soon
so that we can get back to a more normal state."
Air India to cut 100 flights daily as fuel costs bite; Big reductions on
Australia, Europe, North America routes
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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