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  June  26,  2026

Today’s Exchange Rates

CURRENCY▲	PRICE	CHANGE	%CHANGE	OPEN	PREV.CLOSE
USD/INR	94.4	0.269997	0.285198	94.30	94.67
EUR/USD	1.1346	-0.0012	0.105649	1.1358	1.1358
GBP/INR	124.4678	0.262703	0.210616	124.2858	124.7305
EUR/INR	107.259	0.166496	0.154988	107.1892	107.4255
USD/JPY	161.874	0.093994	0.0581	161.78	161.78
GBP/USD	1.3168	0.00	0.00	1.3168	1.3168
JPY/INR	0.5835	-0.0021	0.358605	0.5852	0.5856

///                   Sea Cargo News            ///

Top 10 global container ports : May 2026 operational estimates EconDB

Asia continues to dominate global container shipping, according to the latest operational estimates published by EconDB for May 2026. The data highlights the continued strength of the region’s major export gateways while underlining the strategic importance of trans-shipment hubs in maintaining global trade flows.

The following analysis examines the first ten ports displayed in EconDB’s May 2026 operational dataset. Together, they provide valuable insight into import and export activity, re-export patterns, connectivity and reefer cargo movements across some of the world’s busiest container hubs.

Singapore remains the leading operational hub

Singapore records the highest overall container activity among the ports included in EconDB’s May operational estimates. The port combines strong import and export volumes with a re-export ratio of 78.4%, reinforcing its role as one of the world’s foremost trans-shipment hubs linking major east-west and intra-Asian shipping services.

Chinese gateways continue to power global exports

China’s leading container gateways remain heavily export oriented.

Shanghai and Ningbo record substantially higher export volumes than imports, reflecting their position at the heart of the country’s manufacturing and export economy. Qingdao follows the same pattern, further demonstrating the importance of China’s coastal ports in supporting global containerised trade.

Connectivity reinforces Asia’s central role – Singapore and Shanghai record the highest connectivity scores in the dataset, with indices of 229 and 227 respectively, followed by a Ningbo at 208. Busan and Qingdao complete the top five, highlighting the concentration of liner services across Asia and the region’s central role in global shipping networks.

Trans-shipment remains essential to global supply chains 

The estimates underline the strategic importance of dedicated trans-shipment hubs.  Malaysia’s Tanjung Pelapas records the highest re-export ration in the dataset at 92.7%, closely followed by Morocco’s Tanger Med at 90.7%.

Both ports serve primarily as cargo redistribution centres, transferring containers beween long-haul services and regional feeder networks to maintain efficient trade flows.

Busan also continues to play a significant trans-shipment role while maintaining strong import and export activity.

European gateways display contrasting trade profiles

The European ports included in the estimates reveal different operational characteristics.

Rotterdam remains strongly import-oriented, recording substantially higher estimated import than exports during May, reflecting its position as one of Europe’s principal gateways for inbound cargo.

Antwerp, meanwhile, presents a more balanced import-export profile and records the highest estimated reefer export among the ports included in the dataset, highlighting its importance in temperature-controlled cargo logistics.

Providing an additional perspective on port activity

Operational estimates such as those produced by EconDB offer an additional perspective on container movements and trade patterns between the publication of official port statistics.

By combining vessel tracking, shipping schedules and trade modelling, the dataset provides a timely view of activity across major container hubs, helping industry stakeholders identify operational trends and better understand the dynamics of the global liner shipping network.

Evergreen splashes out on more than 140,000 new containers

Taiwanese operator Evergreen Marine Corporation has ordered 140,500 new containers from Dong Fang International, Guangdong Fuwa Engineering Group, China International Marine Containers and CXIC Group Containers for around TW$ 11.3 Billion (USD 360 Million).

Evergreen said in a Taiwan Stock Exchange filing that the new container orders comprised 47,500 from Dong Fang, 34,000 from CXIC, 30,000 from CIMC and 29,000 from Guangdong Fuwa.

These containers will be added to the existing inventory and after thorough inspection damaged and dented beyond repair conditioned containers etc will be scrapped.

A statement from Evergreen said that the carrier wants to ensure that their customers receive good equipment from EMC every time they book and maintain customer satisfaction with quick and good container release at once confirmed booking received from its customers.

IMO launches evacuation plan for 11,000 stranded seafarers

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has announced plans to evacuate more than 11,000 seafarers stranded in the Strait of Hormuz region following the peace agreement between Iran and the United States.

IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez said the operation will be carried out in cooperation with Iran, Oman, other coastal states in the Gulf, the USA and maritime industry.

“After months of hardship and distress for thousands of innocent seafarers and negative impact for the whole world, I welcome with deep satisfaction the peace agreement concluded between the United States and Iran,” Dominguez said.

He also paid tribute to the 14 seafarers who lost their lives during the conflict. According to the IMO, the evacuation plan will begin immediately after securing the necessary safety guaranteed and verifying safe navigation conditions in the region.

The organisation said the large scale operation aims to ensure the safe return of stranded crews while supporting the restoration of maritime security and global trade flows.

“We remain fully committed to ensuring the safety of seafarers and the continuity of global trade,” Dominguez said.

The announcement follows the signing of the Iran – USA Memorandum of Understanding, which is expected to lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the gradual normali-sation of shipping operations in one of the world’s most important maritime corridors.

Port of Long Beach and Port of Oakland posts strong cargo growth in May 2026

The Port of Long Beach reported strong cargo growth in May as importers moved shipments ahead of potential tariff increases and ongoing market uncertainty.

The port handled 842,030 TEUs during May 2026, up 31.7% from May 2025, making it the third busiest May in its history. Imports jumped 40% to 418,851 TEUs, while exports increased 32.9% to 109,168 TEUs. Empty containers rose 21.8% to 314,012 TEUs. Through the first five months of 2026, the port handled 4.05 million TEUs, a slight increase of 0.2% compared to the same period last year.

The Port of Oakland handled 190,958 TEUs in May 2026, a 1.9% increased compared to May 2025 and the port’s highest monthly cargo volume since January 2026.

The result marked the second consecutive month of year-over-year growth, with gains recorded across import and export categories.

Full imports reached 83,809 TEUs, up 5.7% year-on-year, while full exports totalled 69,284 TEUs, a 2.9% increase.

Total loaded volume climbed 4.4% to 153,093 TEUs. Total imports including empties reached 94,975 TEUs and total exports including empties came in at 95,983 TEUs.

May volume increased 3.5% compared to April’s 184,492 TEUs, while vessel calls rose from 79 in April to 88 in May 2026.

PIL names first two 13,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel vessels

Pacific International Lines (PIL) has marked a major milestone in its fleet renewal programme with the naming of two new 13,000 TEU Long Dual-Fuel container vessels, Kota Elok and Kota Elan, at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai.

The vessels are the first in a series of 13 ships designed to strengthen PIL’s capacity improve efficiency and support its decarbonisation strategy.

Built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, the two vessels will operate on PIL’s Asia-South America service, a trade lane experiencing strong cargo growth. The carrier said the ships will help meet rising demand while improving network efficiency and service reliability.

Both vessels can operate on LNG and low-sulphur fuel oil, supporting lower greenhouse gas emissions and advancing PIL’s target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

“The naming of Kota Elok and Kota Elan highlights the acceleration in PIL’s journey to modernise our fleet and strengthen our position in key trade lanes’’ said Lars Kastrup, CEO of PIL.

“These vessels will enable us to meet growing trade demand, expand capacity and deliver greater efficiency for our customers”.

The ships feature several energy saving technologies, including an optimised hull design, advanced coatings and energy efficient systems. They are also equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to enhance operational performance and onboard automation.

In addition, Kota Elok includes a bow windshield designed to improve aerodynamics and reduce fuel consumption on long haul voyages.

PIL said the vessels were also designed to enhance crew welfare through modern onboard accommodation and improved working environments.

Descartes : U.S. imports from Hormuz affected ports plunge 93% in May

U.S. maritime imports departing from ports affected by the Strait of Hormuz disruption fell 93.2% year-on-year in May, according to a new report from Descartes. The sharp decline marks the clearest indication yet of the impact of the waterway’s closure on U.S. trade flows.

Descartes said imports from Hormuz affected ports dropped from 1.5 million metric tons in May 2025 to just 100,591 metric tons in May 2026. The report covers cargo departing from ports in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. 

The biggest decline came in mineral fuels (HS27), including crude oil, refined petroleum products and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Imports in this category from Hormuz affected ports fell 92.8% to 80,878 metric tons, representing the largest loss among all major commodity groups analysed.

Overall U.S. imports of HS27 products also declined, falling 15.2% year-on-year from 19.3 million tons to 16.4 million tons. Descartes said the figures suggest the Strait of Hormuz disruption had a measurable impact on U.S. fuel imports, although cargo from other regions helped offset part of the decline.

May 2026 import data offers the clearest evidence so far of the impact of the Strait of Hormuz closure on U.S. trade flows,” said Jackson Wood, Director of Industry Strategy at Descartes.

FIMI’s Davidi says ZIM deal will create debt-free Israeli shipping company

According to Calcalist, FIMI founder and CEO Ishay Davidi said the planned acquisition of ZIM Lines will create a debt-free shipping company under Israeli control, while the transaction now awaits final government approval.

Speaking at the Calcalist Financial Future Conference, Davidi said the transaction has already received from the companies boards, shareholders and the relevant business parties. He noted that the final step is approval from the Israeli government under its “golden share” rights. He said the restructuring would resolve long-standing financial challenges at ZIM.

According to Davidi, the new company will start operations without debt and include safeguards designed to prevent hostile takeovers. He said, “The new ZIM will definitely be profitable from day one”.

He also told that the new ZIM is expected to generate US$ 650-700 million in annual revenue and around US$ 100 million in EBITDA. Long term agreements with Hapag Lloyd are expected to secure approximately 95% fleet utilisation over the next decade.

Davidi argued that the proposed structure is the best available solution for both the company and Israel. “There is no better solution than the one we created,” he said.

The proposed US$ 4.2 Billion acquisition of ZIM Lines by Hapag Lloyd and FIMI remains subject to approval by the Israel government.

///                   Air Cargo News            ///

Cathay Cargo Adds Airbus A330 Freighter to Support Continued Growth

Cathay Cargo has strengthened its air freight capacity with the addition of an Airbus A330 freighter operated by Air Hong Kong, aimed at supporting rising demand and sustaining its network expansion.

The new freighter is expected to enhance operational flexibility and improve cargo connectivity across key regional and long-haul routes. The move comes as Cathay Cargo continues to scale its fleet to accommodate steady growth in global air freight volumes.

Industry observers note that the additional capacity will help improve schedule reliability and provide better support for time-sensitive shipments, particularly in sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and high-value goods.

The expansion reflects Cathay Cargo’s broader strategy to reinforce its position in the competitive air cargo market by optimizing fleet utilization and strengthening partnerships within its operating network.

Belgium Gains Air Cargo Share as Dutch Airports Lose Ground

Belgium is increasing its share of the regional air cargo market as Dutch airports experience a gradual decline in freight volumes, highlighting a shifting balance in Benelux logistics flows.

The growth in Belgium is being supported by expanding cargo handling capacity, improved connectivity, and stronger engagement from logistics operators seeking alternative gateways in the region.

This has allowed Belgian airports to attract more freight traffic and strengthen their position in European supply chains. Meanwhile, Dutch airports are facing competitive pressure amid capacity constraints and shifting airline preferences, leading to a relative loss in market share.

Industry observers note that the trend reflects broader adjustments in European air cargo routing, where shippers and carriers are diversifying airport usage to improve efficiency and reduce bottlenecks.

The ongoing shift is expected to continue as infrastructure investments and airline network decisions reshape cargo distribution across the Benelux region.

Kenya pioneers SAF production

A production facility is set to be built soon at Nairobi’s Yomo Kenyatta International Airport, with the goal of producing 32,000 metric tons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel annually.

A memorandum of understanding has now been signed by Kenya Airways and Rubis Energy Kenya, a pan African downstream oil company. The project is estimated to require an investment of between €60 million and €70 million.

It will be the first 100% dedicated SAF refinery on the continent and is expected to become operational in 2028.

            Image of Nairobi refinery, courtesy of Kenya Airways.

So far, Africa’s SAF market has relied predominantly on imports and pilot projects, with a lack of large-scale domestic production. The decision to build the facility at Jomo Kenyatta Airport is considered strategic, given that JKIA is among the continent’s most important and busiest aviation hubs.

Reducing fuel imports
The planned refinery marks a major milestone for Africa’s aviation industry and toward supply of greener fuel. So far, the continent is dependent on imported aviation fuel because a purpose-built, commercial-scale refinery dedicated to SAF production does nowhere exist.

So far, the African aviation sector is underrepresented on a global scale, accounting for just 2% of the total traffic. This figure sharply contrasts with the fact that Africa accounts for 18% of the world’s population.

The 38 member states that have signed the Single African Air Transport Market Agreement (SAATM) alone are home to 1.4 billion people – a population comparable to that of China or India. China’s share of the global passenger market currently stands at 18% and, according to forecasts by Airbus and Boeing, is expected to rise to 23.3% by 2041. India follows at a considerable distance but with higher annual growth rates in comparison.

Wide range of available feedstocks
Since SAF is derived from sustainable feedstocks – such as various sources of renewable biomass, including agricultural waste, crops, and forest waste – Africa offers a wide variety of primary sources, says Bernard Onguso, head of the initiative “Fueling African Aviation”. His organization has set itself the goal of establishing a new form of division of labor between Africa and Europe. 

“Thanks to sufficient feedstocks, we are able to produce enough SAF in Africa, a portion of which we can then transport to Europe for use by airlines there to reduce their carbon footprint. This could open a new source of income for the agricultural sector in Kenya and neighboring East African countries, such as Tanzania or Uganda,” Onguso reasons by taking a more holistic view. His expertise can be read here: Fueling African Aviation – Green Sustainable Energy & Investment Platform.

“We intend to replicate the Nairobi project,” Bernard Onguso
At the same time, he notes that the project is in the crosshairs of oil producers and their governments in the Gulf region. “If we produce our own SAF in Sub-Saharan Africa, it will reduce our dependence on other markets, particularly the Middle East.” He sees the Nairobi refinery as only the first step. His initiative is already working on plans to replicate the Kenya project across Africa.

     Nairobi is only the beginning, announced Bernard Onguso, head of                       ‘Fueling African Aviation’ – photo: CFG/hs

Growing concerns over global fuel supply disruptions – triggered by tensions in the Golf region and the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz – are also likely to contribute to this. This has renewed calls across Africa for stronger local refining capacity to reduce dependence on imported fuel. East African countries currently import virtually all their refined oil products, mostly from the Middle East, making the region highly vulnerable to supply shocks and price spikes.

The Mombasa project
One of the pioneers in the campaign for changed trade relations in Energy supply is Aliko Dangote, founder and CEO of the Nigerian Dangote Group. According to Forbes, his estimated net worth is currently $28.5 billion, making him the only African among the world’s 100 richest people. Dangote’s latest plans call for the construction of a refinery in Mombasa, which, thanks to the port’s water depth of 17.5 meters, can be accessed by the largest ships and is strategically located near the East African fuel market. There, his company plans to build an oil refinery with a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. It is not clear from the current plan whether SAF is also part of the project.

Fueling Africa’s industry
Simultaneously, the Nigerian investor has tabled plans to build a transnational pipeline from Namibia to Zimbabwe.  According to Zimbabwe’s presidential spokesman, George Charamba, “the sub-regional pipeline project combined with an oil refinery is a key transnational matter for Zimbabwe which could change the country’s production structure with fuel costing less to import.“ 

This is complemented by Dangote Petroleum’s intent to set up a large fuel storage facility in Walvis Bay, expected to hold 1.6 million barrels of gasoline and diesel, thereby reducing Southern Africa’s reliance on fuel imports from the Middle East or Asia. The country of origin for both projects is Nigeria, from where the oil is transported to Namibia by tanker. 

India boosts SAF: Countdown till Paris Air Show 2027

The seed for a close SAF collaboration was planted at a previous ILA. There, India’s solar-power operated airport Cochin showcased a potential eSAF concept and an alternative to powering the facilities and buildings with fossil energy. Four years later, not much progress was made in the world regarding eSAF.

India, however progressed in renewable energy deployment and expressed its interest to partner with like-minded players in the EU. To some extent, this collaborative intent was driven by German peers. At the recent Berlin-held air show ILA, the status of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in aviation, particularly cargo traffic, was one of the hottest topics discussed on and off stage.

     The Berlin Brandenburg Aerospace Alliance booth at Berlin’s lLA         aviation show – where SAF played a major role in panel discussions     and expert talks – was extremely well-attended throughout the five-                        day event – photos: courtesy of BBAA

Renewable energy can be stored and exported as Green Hydrogen, or its derivative green ammonia for shipping purposes. This is part of Germany’s fuel resilience plan, in combination with decarbonization and greenhouse gas reduction, as demanded by ReFuelEU.

But where are the SAF plants that can make use of economical Green Hydrogen from India? What hinders faster development? This subject was intensely discussed at a panel hosted by our author, Hugo Duchemin, during the recent Berlin air show (ILA) at the BBAA (Berlin-Brandenburg Aerospace Allianz) stand. Replay of Panel

Adamant support by Hydrogen Europe
The institution’s aviation manager, Laurent Donceel, clearly deplored the slow pace with which EU-India MoU’s get transformed into concrete action, and moreover, that they don’t develop more quickly into broader opportunities such as methanol as a pathway to SAF.

He emphasized the fact that mandates are not taken seriously enough as targets for transition to SAF, but rather pushed aside by some airlines, with the excuse that not enough SAF is available. That more than welcomed  critical statement was supported by the two panelists of Germany’s global cooperation agency GIZ, one on stage and the other online connected from India: engineers Torsten Schwab and Sarthak Agarwal commented from a technical and logistical point of view how the precious feedstock from India can contribute in very realistic ways to ramping up SAF not only in Germany but across the block’s 27 member states. 

There was plenty to discuss at the Berlin Air Show between Karsten Mühlenfeld, CEO, BBAA (standing  left), Ajit Gupte, Ambassador of India to Germany and Klaus Dirk Herwig, head of the Hydrogy Group SE

No more excuses!
Olaf Krawczyk of Invest in Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony) then hit on that same nail with another hammer, explaining how the German North Sea ports Wilhelmshaven and Stade are offering a growing and meanwhile well-developed infrastructure for hydrogen imports, including ammonia-cracking and hydrogen pipeline extension.

That is of course in the DNA of this federal state, having already the strongest renewable energy production of the nation, with respective hydrogen project development. Last but not least, hydrogen professor Dr. Klaus Dirk Herwig calculated for everyone’s benefit how importing hydrogen from India results in double-digit bottom-line savings, all transportation and transformation cost included.

India opens the gates to progress
Celebrated the day before on the same stage with India’s ambassador to Germany, Mr. Ajit Gupte, the growing partnership must be more than an enabler, rather an engine. Several delegation visits to India by Dr. Herwig with the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce have brought suppliers into constructive discussions with German hydrogen specialists and led to a major trust basis.

Concrete projects like joint eSAF development will bring even more partnerships in engineering, aviation and aerospace. The Federation of Aviation Industry in India was represented in another panel the same day by their board member Dr. Vandana Singh. The message is clear: a dynamic and beneficial industrial and commercial exchange will fire up mutual innovation impulse on each side.

The sky is not the limit, it’s where to start!
This mantra can be taken literally when considering the brand-new space research partnership between Berlin and Bangalore, with many Indian guests being welcomed by BBAA’s CEO Dr. Karsten Mühlenfeld & team, and a more formal long-term agreement to be sealed at the Bengaluru Space Expo 7-9 September. And since space rockets fuel on hydrogen, here are eSAF synergies again.

Main takeaway: Collaboration between Indian airports and initiatives and their German peers on SAF has begun, seen by the airport of Cochin and its German partner BBAA. What is needed now are not new documents or presentations on SAF’s contribution to curbing greenhouse gas emissions from aviation, but practical steps that serve as examples and as inspiration for follow-up projects.

Fact is that the foundations have been laid. After four years of consultation and discussion, the practical implementation of the announced SAF cooperation between Indian fuel providers and their German / EU contractors must now take place – to the mutual benefit of both sides. To be followed up at the Paris Air Show 14-20 June 2027, where BBAA has their own stand for the first time, with more SAF panels and clear targets. The countdown is on!

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.