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 June 15,
2026
Today’s
Exchange Rates
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/// Sea Cargo News ///
Panama Canal Adjusts
Vessel Draft Rules for July Operations
The Panama Canal will implement revised draft
regulations for Neopanamax vessels from July, a move aimed at managing water
resources and maintaining safe navigation through one of the world's most
important maritime trade corridors.
Under the updated operational guidelines, the
maximum authorized draft for Neopanamax ships will be reduced, affecting the
amount of cargo that vessels can carry while transiting the canal. The
adjustment reflects ongoing efforts by canal authorities to balance vessel
traffic demands with water availability in the canal's lock system.
The Panama Canal relies heavily on freshwater
from surrounding reservoirs to operate its locks. Variations in rainfall
patterns and water levels have prompted authorities to continuously monitor and
adjust transit conditions to ensure the long-term sustainability of canal
operations.
Neopanamax vessels, which are designed to
utilize the canal’s expanded locks, play a vital role in global containerised
trade, energy transportation and bulk commodity movements. Any reduction in
draft allowances can influence vessel loading strategies, cargo capacity and
overall shipping economics.
Shipping lines and cargo owners are expected
to assess the impact of the revised draft limits on voyage planning and supply
chain operations. Lower draft allowances may require some vessels to reduce
cargo loads or make operational adjustments to comply with canal requirements
while maintaining schedule reliability.
The Panama Canal remains a critical link
between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, facilitating the movement of goods
between Asia, the Americas and Europe. Changes in operational parameters are
closely monitored by the maritime industry due to their potential impact on
trade flows, freight rates and vessel deployment strategies.
Industry analysts note that canal authorities
have become increasingly proactive in managing water resources amid changing
climatic conditions. Operational adjustments, including draft restrictions and
transit management measures, are viewed as essential tools for preserving the
canals’ efficiency and resilience.
Despite the revised draft limits, the canal
is expected to continue handling substantial volumes of global trade.
Stakeholders across the shipping and logistics sectors will be closely watching
water conditions and future operational update as they plan cargo movements
through the key international waterway in the months ahead.
Suez Canal Authority
Revises Transit Pricing Effective July 15
The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has announced a revised transit pricing structure that will take effect from July 15, introducing additional charges for tankers and container vessels transiting one of the world's most important maritime trade routes.
Under the new framework, tankers will be
subject to a 37% surcharge, while container ships will face a 12% additional
charge on applicable transit fees. The move comes as the Suez Canal Authority
seeks to adapt its pricing policies to evolving market conditions and encourage
the gradual return of vessel traffic to the canal.
The Suez Canal remains a critical artery for
global trade, connecting Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean region. However,
shipping patterns have been significantly affected by security concerns in the
Red Sea and surrounding waters, prompting many carriers to reroute vessels
around the Cape of Good Hope. These diversions have resulted in reduced canal
traffic and lower transit revenues for Egypt.
Industry analysts believe the revised pricing
structure is part of broader efforts by the SCA to manage revenue generation
while maintaining the canal’s competitiveness. The authority has introduced
various incentive programs and pricing adjustments in recent months to attract
vessel operators back to the route as regional security conditions evolve.
India Becomes Afghanistan’s Biggest Export Partner
India has emerged as Afghanistan’s largest
export destination, overtaking Pakistan in a significant shift in regional
trade dynamics.
The development underscores the strengthening
commercial ties between the two countries and highlights India’s growing
importance as a market for Afghan products.
Recent trade data indicate that exports from
Afghanistan to India have increased steadily, driven by strong demand for
agricultural and horticultural products such as dry fruits, fresh fruits,
saffron, medicinal herbs and other high-value commodities.
The growth has enabled India to surpass
Pakistan, which has traditionally been Afghanistan’s principal export market.
Industry observers attribute the change to a combination of factors, including
improved trade facilitation measures, diversification of export destinations by
Afghan businesses and recurring logistical and border-related challenges
affecting trade through Pakistan.
Afghan exporters have increasingly sought alternative markets to reduce dependence on a single trade corridor and expand access to larger consumer bases.
India has supported trade with Afghanistan
through various connectivity initiatives and trade mechanisms that facilitate
the movement of goods. The two countries have maintained commercial engagement
despite regional geopolitical complexities, helping Afghan producers reach one
of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets.
The shift is expected to provide new
opportunities for Afghan exporters, particularly in the agriculture sector,
which remains a key contributor to the country’s economy. Access to the Indian
market offers the potential for higher export earnings and greater product
diversification, while also encouraging investment in value-added processing
and quality improvements.
For India, stronger trade ties with
Afghanistan align with broader efforts to deepen economic engagement in the
region and secure reliable sources of speciality agricultural products. The
expanding trade relationship could also create opportunities for greater
cooperation in logistics, infrastructure and capacity building initiatives.
Trade experts believe the milestone reflects
evolving regional trade patterns and the increasing integration of South Asian
markets. As commercial relations continue to strengthen, both countries are
expected to explore additional avenues for expanding bilateral trade and
enhancing economic cooperation in the years ahead.
Indian-Made Railway
Wheels Gain Entry Into European Market
India has achieved a significant milestone in
its railway manufacturing journey with domestically produced railway wheels set
to be exported to the European Union for the first time.
The development marks a major breakthrough
for India's engineering and heavy manufacturing sector, opening access to one
of the world's most demanding and quality-conscious rail markets.
The export initiative reflects the growing
global competitiveness of Indian railway components and the country's
increasing capability to meet stringent international standards.
Railway wheels manufactured in India have
undergone rigorous quality checks and certification processes required for use
on European rail networks, paving the way for their entry into the region's
supply chain.
Industry experts said the move underscores
the success of India's efforts to strengthen indigenous manufacturing under
various industrial development initiatives.
The ability to supply critical rail
components to European customers demonstrates the technological advancement and
production quality achieved by Indian manufacturers in recent years.
The European Union represents a lucrative
market for railway equipment, with significant investments being made in rail
modernisation, high speed networks and sustainable transport infrastructure.
Entry into this market is expected to create
new export opportunities for Indian producers while enhancing the country’s
reputation as a reliable supplier of advanced engineering products.
Officials noted that the first export of
railway wheels could serve as a gateway for borader exports of rail-related
products, including axles, bogies, freight wagons and other components. It also
aligns with India’s ambition to become a global manufacturing hub for railway
equipment and infrastructure solutions.
The achievement comes amid rising
international demand for cost competitive and high quality rail products as
countries expand and modernise their transportation networks. Indian
manufacturers are increasingly leveraging their engineering expertise, production
scale and competitive costs to secure orders in overseas markets.
With the European market now opening its
doors to Indian made railway wheels, industry stakeholders expect export
volumes to grow in the coming years, contributing to higher manufacturing
output, foreign exchange earnings and deeper integration of Indian companies
into global railway supply chains.
JNPA Announces 50%
Ground Rent Waiver for Delayed Import Containers
The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA)
has announced a relief measure for importers affected by the shortage of
trailer drivers during April and May 2026, which led to delays in evacuating
import containers from port terminals.
In a trade notice issued on June 8, JNPA
stated that eligible importers will receive a 50% reimbursement of ground rent
charges incurred from the ninth day after container landing onwards. The move
aims to ease the financial burden caused by extended container dwell times and
congestion at port terminals.
According to the notice, the waiver applies
to import-laden containers destined for CFS or Direct Port Delivery (DPD) by
road, which were discharged from vessels on or after May 1, 2026, and are
removed from the port before midnight on June 20, 2026.
Under the scheme, importers will be
reimbursed 50% of the ground rent paid from the ninth day of landing until the
container’s removal, subject to verification by JNPA. Containers landed after
June 12, 2026 will not be eligible for the benefit.
To claim the reimbursement, importers must
submit ground rent payment invoices, copies of delivery orders and bank account
details to JNPA’s Finance Department. The reimbursement will be credited to the
importer after eligibility verification.
JNPA said the measure has been introduced in
recognition of the hardships faced by importers due to operational disruptions
and inventory build-up at port terminals. The authority has urged all eligible
stakeholders to clear pending containers before the June 20 deadline to avail
the relief.
The latest announcement follows a series of
trade facilitation measures undertaken by JNPA in recent months to support the
EXIM community and improve cargo evacuation efficiency.
Icelandic court dismisses Alcoa lawsuit against Eimskip and Samskip
The Reykjavik District Court has dismissed a tort case brought by Alcoa Fjaroaal against Eimskip, Eimskip Island, Samskip and Samskip Holdings.
The case was the second legal action filed by
Alcoa concerning the same underlying matter.
In May 2025, Alcoa suspended its original
lawsuit against Eimskip and agreed to pay the associated litigation costs. The
company subsequently filed a new case in December 2025, seeking recognition of
liability for damages without specifying a compensation amount.
The Reykjavik District Court has now
dismissed that claim.
Eimskip stated that it considered the
allegations to be without merit and maintained that the legal requirements
necessary to establish liability under tort law had not been met.
The company also argued that the alleged
losses claimed by Alcoa were not supported by established documentation and
therefore did not provide a valid basis for compensation.
The ruling marks the latest development in
the long running legal dispute involving Iceland’s aluminium producer and the
shipping companies.
“K” Line
to roll out electronic UMS inspection system across managed fleet
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” Line) has decided
to implement a new Electronic UMS (Unattended Machinery Space) Check System
across its managed fleet following a series of operational trials conducted
between 2024 and 2026.
The company plans to being phased deployment
of the system around July 2026, aiming to reduce crew workload, enhance onboard
safety and improve the use of operational data collected from vessels.
UMS checks are inspection procedures carried
out before operating machinery spaces without continuous engine room
attendance, such as during night-time navigation or while vessels are
alongside. These inspections typically involve around 1,000 individual
check-points and have traditionally been recorded manually on paper by
engineering crews.
According to K Line, the new system enables
inspection data to be entered through a dedicated smartphone application,
replacing paper based records. The company said the digital approach allows
crew members to record information with one hand while using the other for
support, helping to reduce slip, trip and fall risks in challenging onboard
conditions.
The move is also expected to lower printing
and document storage costs, reduce administrative workload and contribute to
environmental objectives by eliminating paper records.
X-Press
Feeders launches CEX service
X-Press Feeders has announced the launch of its new China East Mediterranean X-PRESS (CEX) Service, expanding direct connectivity between China, the Red Sea and the East Mediterranean region.
Scheduled to commence on June 23, 2026, the
CEX service will mark the carrier’s first direct connection between China and
the East Mediterranean, providing access to key regional gateways including
Alexandria, Aliaga, Istanbul and Mersin.
According to the company, the new service is
designed to strengthen trade links with growing East Mediterranean markets
while complementing its existing China Red Sea X-PRESS (CRX) network.
Through Jeddah, the CEX service will also
provide onward connectivity to additional destinations across the wider X-Press
Feeders network, including Aqaba, Sokhna, Aden, Port Sudan, Nhava Sheva and
Mundra.
The service rotation will be : Qingdao –
Shanghai – Ningbo – Nansha – Jeddah – Alexandria – Aliaga – Istanbul – Mersin –
Jeddah – Port Klang and back to Qingdao.
The launch represents a further expansion of
X-Press Feeder’s east-west network as the carrier continues to strengthen
connections between Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
Port of
Tripoli welcomes largest container ship in its history
Port of Tripoli has reached a major milestone with the arrival of CMA CGM EUGENIE, the largest container vessel ever to berth at the Lebanese port since its establishment.
Operated by CMA CGM, the vessel measures 366
meters in length and has a carrying capacity of nearly 15,000 TEU, making it
one of the largest container ships currently deployed on international trade
routes.
The successful call highlights the Port of
Tripoli’s operational capabilities and infrastructure readiness to accommodate
ultra-large container ships/vessels, reflecting ongoing efforts to strengthen
its role within regional and global supply chains.
Port officials said the achievement further
reinforces Tripoli’s position as a strategic logistics hub and a key gateway
for maritime trade in Lebanon and the wider Eastern Mediterranean. The
milestone is expected to enhance the port’s attractiveness to global carriers,
while creating new opportunities for trade growth, investment and regional
connectivity.
The arrival of CMA CGM EUGENIE marks a
significant step in the port’s development ambitions and underscores its
growing importance within the Eastern Mediterranean container shipping network.
/// Air Cargo News ///
OST diversifies its business
Ostend-Bruges
Airport (OST), known primarily for its perishables segment and leisure flights,
is significantly growing its scope of operations. In addition to these core
areas, e-commerce is emerging as a new key pillar of the business. Further to
this, OST is expanding its MRO activities, while a dedicated special mission
and border-control unit will also be based at the airport.
On
03JUN26, CEO Nathan De Valck celebrated his one-year anniversary as helmsman of
the Belgian regional airports of Ostend-Bruges and Antwerp. However, he didn’t
have time for a leisurely celebration that day.
The
reason: his schedule is packed with issues that need to be addressed step by
step, one of them being the expansion of OST’s traditional perishables
business. So far, this has primarily consisted of strawberry imports from
Egypt, which are flown by EgyptAir Cargo from Cairo (CAI) to OST each fall,
following the start of the harvest season.
Although
the airline’s Airbus freighters also land at Hahn Airport in southwestern
Germany, the bulk of the shipments is handled at OST. There, they are
customs-cleared and transported by truck via the nearby Eurotunnel to a
warehouse in London, from where they are immediately distributed to local
wholesalers.
London’s
easternmost runway
Although Nathan – a polite man – does not wish to comment on competitors, he at
least does not dispute the claim that this routing via OST and the Eurotunnel
is faster compared to direct flights to London-Heathrow (LHR) and customs
clearance of goods coming from an Arabian exporter.
From
this perspective, OST is London’s easternmost runway. Next, OST intends to step
into the cut-flower business, for example through flights from Nairobi, Kenya.
Pharmaceuticals are another target segment for the airport. After all, Belgium
is a European hotspot of this high-value industry.
Focusing
on e-commerce
In addition, management aims to drive e-commerce revenue. Negotiations with a
Chinese supplier are in the final stages. Operations commenced in mid-APR26
with two weekly flights but have been stepped up since then to 5/7. OST has
chosen not to disclose the name of the Chinese partner at this stage, pending
final approval.
The
flights are operated by Uzbek carrier, MyFreighter, which deploys B767F
equipment on the route China-Ostend, with a stopover in Tashkent. Discussions
are underway to identify suitable export cargo for the eastbound leg of the
operation.
Enhancing
ground infrastructure
Also on the airport’s to-do list is the construction of two hangars offering a
combined 5,000 m² of MRO facilities. For instance, for maintaining the EASP Air
fleet that will be based at OST. “This MRO business segment will create
numerous new, highly skilled technical jobs at our airport,” enthuses
De Valck. Thanks to the investments in apron upgrades, OST can accommodate six
wide-body freighters at the same time on a dedicated cargo apron.
Facilitator
of business
When asked what sets the cargo activities at OST apart from neighboring
competitors, management responds: “We see our role as an enabler or
facilitator of logistics activities, working closely with local partners to
offer the market a comprehensive portfolio of logistics services. Selling
traditional airport services to airlines is old school.” Further to
this, OST emphasizes that it is not an airport where goods are handled in
transit. Instead, what lands there is moved directly into local distribution
channels, following customs clearance at the airport.
A
look at the process confirms this statement. Various partner companies have set
up facilities at the airport, operated by their own staff. OST provides real
estate and the framework for their business and enables the community to
develop the processes required.
Support
from government and the private sector
The airport management’s progressive approach is supported by stakeholders,
particularly its shareholder, Egis, and approved by the Flemish Government,
which holds a financial stake in the airport. The political body has indicated
that the environmental permit – which has recently been the subject of
controversy – will be updated shortly, thereby cementing the legal framework
for aviation activities at OST.
Final
question to CEO Nathan de Valck: Is OST profitable or does it rely on
government subsidies? “We have been in the black every year since 2016
(apart from the 2020-2021 Covid years), although the annual profits were
modest. In 2025, we generated a net profit of EUR 75,000, with a significant
portion of the cash flow reinvested directly back into the airport.”
NorSAF and KBR build premier PureSAF
plant
Both
companies signed an agreement for the development of Europe’s first
commercial-scale facility, capable of producing 100% drop-in sustainable
aviation fuel (SAF/eSAF). PureSAF has the potential to power existing aircraft
without being blended with traditional fossil fuels. The projected plant will
be erected in Latvia, the home of SAF developer, NorSAF.
KBR,
founded in 1998 in Houston, Texas, as Kellogg Brown & Roof, focuses
primarily on energy management. So does Latvian NorSAF, albeit on a smaller
scale. Both companies have now signed an agreement for the deployment of
PureSAF technology. The project’s estimated financial volume: over 1 billion
euros.
Once
the plant is operational, which is expected to be in 2030, it will become
Europe’s first commercial-scale facility capable of producing 100% drop-in
sustainable aviation fuel. The facility will combine 2nd generation
bioethanol, renewable hydrogen produced via electrolysis, and captured biogenic
carbon dioxide to synthesize aviation fuel, cutting emissions while reusing CO₂
that would otherwise be emitted to the atmosphere.
83%
reduction of CO2 emissions
In contrast to conventional SAF, which typically must be blended with fossil
kerosene, a 100% drop-in fuel is designed to chemically mimic conventional jet
fuel, allowing it to be used in existing aircraft and fueling infrastructure
and aircraft turbines without modification. NorSAF said the production process
could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 83% compared to conventional jet
fuel production. The company also intends to source feedstock within Europe to
support energy independence and industrial resilience.
NorSAF’s
new plant is expected to annually produce 100,000 tons of sustainable aviation
fuel and e-SAF, and distribution of SAF is planned for aviation companies
across the Baltics, Northern Europe, and additional European markets.
Fuels
at EU airports must contain 6% of SAF by 2030
Europe has set one of the world’s most ambitious frameworks for aviation
decarbonization in pursuit of climate neutrality by 2050. With aviation among
the continent’s hardest sectors to abate, binding sustainable aviation fuel
mandates are an inevitable path forward.
Under
EU legislation, minimum SAF blending requirements are established by the
ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation. Brussels mandates that aviation fuel supplied at
EU airports must contain at least 6% SAF by 2030, rising progressively to 70%
by 2050.
Energy
sovereignty is a security matter
“We are delighted to have collaborated with KBR to bring PureSAF technology
to Europe,” said Jānis Kisiels, Board Member of NorSAF. “Recent
global events have underscored that energy sovereignty is no longer just an
economic goal, but a matter of national and regional security.”
Jay
Ibrahim, President of KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions, said the project
supports Latvia’s transition toward cleaner aviation and could help scale SAF
production in Europe.
Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI provider, is acting as a partner
on the project. NorSAF said the partnership will provide access to aviation
infrastructure, including Baltic Ground Services’ experience in SAF supply and
distribution.
ICAO
and IATA take action on SAF
In a joint statement, published last Tuesday (02JUN26), IATA and ICAO announced
that they are pushing for the long-term phase-out of fossil kerosene and the
transition to SAF.
Addressing
SAF registries and evaluating the data they collect can support the
implementation of the ICAO Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) Monitoring and
Reporting (LMR) methodology, as well as the consideration of fuel accounting
systems for international aviation.
The
project aims to enable transparent and credible tracking of aviation cleaner
energies and their contribution towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050, in
alignment with the respective IATA and ICAO ambitions and commitments, reads
the organization‘s joint statement.
LATAM Cargo connects Antofagasta with
Frankfurt
The
first flight took place on 23MAY26, departing from Frankfurt and heading via
São Paulo Guarulhos to Antofagasta in northern Chile. A B767F is now deployed
on this route every Sunday, enabling customers to pick up their shipments on
Monday morning.
Following
the introduction of direct flights from Frankfurt to Florianópolis and
Curitiba, Antofagasta is another destination that LATAM Cargo offers European
shippers and forwarders to make use of. In the meantime, IATA rolls out its
CASS tool across Latin America.
In
this case, the initiative for the flight came from the Frankfurt air freight
division of the Hamburg-based freight forwarder, Five Star Global Logistics. “We
transport components and spare parts on this route for our client Komatsu.
With
the new direct connection, we save three to four days compared to flights to
Santiago de Chile and the onward transport of shipments by truck to
Antofagasta, which is over 1,400 km away,” reports Jan Gerlach,
a manager at Five Star. Since the logistics provider has been using LATAM Cargo
for shipments to South America for some time, he can objectively estimate the
airline’s performance:
Happy
with LATAM Cargo’s service
“All I can say, is that the carrier is reliable and performs well. In case
of utilizing Avianca, shipments would have been transferred at Bogota Airport
to connecting flights, which is time-consuming. In the case of Lufthansa Cargo,
the prices per kg are slightly higher, and the booking process is less flexible
compared to LATAM Cargo,” Gerlach reasons.
Hamburg-based
logistics heavyweight, Senator International had been managing the Komatsu
business until JUN22. However, following the takeover of Senator by the Danish
Maersk Group, the Japanese industrial giant decided to switch to Five Star.
“Northern
Chile is home to mining and industrial projects that demand precise logistics.
By offering a direct flight from a strategic European hub like Frankfurt, we
not only significantly reduce transit times, but also reaffirm our role as a
partner capable of providing the network that the industry requires in the
region,” said Jorge Carretero, Cargo Sales Director for Europe at LATAM.
More
shippers / higher volumes = lower prices per kg
If the export sector reacts positively to the new capacity offer, LATAM Cargo
will consider increasing the frequency of flights, Jorge adds. In addition to
Komatsu, which operates its supply chain für mining equipment out of
Düsseldorf, there are several companies in Central Europe that are directly
involved in the Chilean activities of the mining industry.
“We
intend to target them specifically to increase volumes, which promises more
favorable rates for all parties involved,” states Gerlach. From
Antofagasta, the B767F flies back to Europe via Lima or Bogotá, loaded with
fruit, vegetables or flowers for the EU market.
Antofagasta
is part of LATAM Cargo’s consolidation strategy aimed at offering customers
direct freighter flights between Europa and Latin America, to speed up
supplies. However, according to Manager Carretero, following the launch of the
new route, LATAM Cargo has no further South American destinations currently
that it plans to serve directly.
IATA
rolls out CASS in Latin America
In the meantime, IATA announced plans to focus increasingly on Latin America by
rolling out their Cargo Accounts Settlement System (CASS) throughout the
sub-continent. The move is attributed to the 3.3% year-on-year average growth
in freight volumes reported by carriers based in the region in the 10 years to
April 2026, resulting in a cumulative growth of 38.8% over the decade, states
IATA.
In
Mexico, CASS Domestic operations began in April 2026 on the strong foundations
laid by the CASS Export operations which started in 1987. Mexico is one of the
largest air cargo markets in the region. In 2025, the domestic air cargo
segment transported over 125,000 tons of air cargo, accounting for 15.8% of the
total tonnage transported from, to and within Mexico.
In
Paraguay, CASS Export will be implemented in the last quarter of 2026, with
strong industry uptake anticipated as cargo volumes grow. In 2025,
Paraguay transported over 42,000 tons of air cargo, up 225.3% YoY.
CASS
facilitates business between carriers and forwarders
In neighboring Brazil,IATA plans to introduce CASS Domestic from early 2027.
This builds on the strength of CASS Export, which has operated in the market
for more than two decades. In 2025, carriers serving Brazil transported over
791,000 tons of air cargo, of which 7.9% was domestic traffic.
Overall,
air cargo transported 5.9% of Brazil’s exports by value in 2025, although these
high-value, low-density exports accounted for only 0.3% of the total weight of
Brazilian exports. CASS plays a vital role in streamlining the global movement
of air cargo by simplifying the billing and settlement of accounts between
airlines and freight forwarders.
In
2025, CASS processed US$ 47.5 billion, with an on-time settlement rate of 100%.
Globally, IATA operates 89 CASS Export operations, 9 CASS Import operations,
and 2 CASS Domestic operations, including the newly launched Mexico Domestic
CASS.
Amazon’s footprint in North Eastern
India
|
|
In
March 2026 Amazon Air expanded its operational footprint into Northeast India
as part of a major scaling of its domestic logistics network. The company
is now operating a dedicated cargo corridor linking Guwahati and Kolkata with
major fulfilment hubs such as Delhi and Bengaluru.
This expansion represents an important step
forward for Amazon as it helps broaden the coverage of their specialized air
network focused on e-commerce deliveries.
Amazon Air has introduced freighter flights into
Guwahati, creating a regional logistics hub for the seven Northeastern states —
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura.
The first Amazon Air flight to Guwahati was
inaugurated by Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Government of India, Kinjarapu
Ram Mohan Naidu, alongside Amazon executives and state officials. “Given
the Northeast’s immense potential in horticulture and cargo exports, the launch
of this cargo route will further support farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs of
the region,” the minister said, noting that air connectivity in the Northeast
has grown significantly in the past decade.
Operational airports in the region have increased
from nine in 2014 to 16 today, reflecting the government’s wider “Act
East” connectivity strategy.
Amazon is the first e-commerce company in India
to operate a dedicated air cargo network, reaffirming its long-term commitment
to strengthen its transportation infrastructure in India. Amazon Air provides
network branding and logistics platform while QuikJet operates the aircraft and
manages the flight operations. The company has been operating two Boeing
737-800BCF (Boeing Converted Freighters). Each has a capacity of roughly 22
tonnes of cargo across 12 main-deck pallet positions.
These aircraft are particularly suited to
e-commerce logistics primarily for their medium payload
capacity, which is ideal for parcel traffic, high utilization with
multiple overnight rotations, and narrow-body efficiency allowing access
to secondary airports.
Industry observers say the aircraft type offers
an optimal balance for the high-volume, low-density shipments typical of
e-commerce. Amazon aircraft links several hubs on a single rotation by
trans-shipping and using Amazon’s multimodal capabilities.
Recent flight patterns show aircraft operating
sectors across Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Kolkata before continuing to
Guwahati, maximizing aircraft utilization and minimizing empty legs. For
decades, Northeast India has faced persistent logistics constraints because of
geography.
Surface cargo must pass through the narrow
Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as the “Chicken’s Neck”, which links the
region to mainland India. Seasonal weather disruptions, terrain and limited
rail capacity have historically slowed freight movement.
The introduction of dedicated freighter capacity
changes that equation. Shipments that previously took seven to nine days
via road or rail can now move through an overnight air-to-surface model,
with parcels flown into Guwahati and distributed across the region by road.
Dr. Ravi Kota, Chief Secretary of Assam, said the
service would help expand market access for local entrepreneurs. “Enhanced
logistics connectivity plays a crucial role in empowering local businesses and
expanding market access for enterprises across the Northeast,” he
said. Improved fulfilment speeds will allow regional sellers to reach
customers nationwide while also supporting employment and economic growth in
the region.
Amazon launched Amazon Air in India in 2023,
creating the country’s only dedicated e-commerce air cargo network.
The system combines:
• Dedicated
freighters
• Belly
cargo partnerships with passenger airlines
• Multimodal
connections
• A
nationwide road logistics network
The network now connects over 100
origin-destination pairs across India and serves five cities with freighter
capacity and over 40 cities via multimodal networks. Amazon’s overnight routes
link major metros including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Guwahati,
enabling rapid fulfilment for Prime deliveries.
Abhinav Singh, Amazon’s Vice-President for
Operations in India and Australia, said the Northeast expansion reflects the
company’s long-term investment in logistics infrastructure. “The expansion of
Amazon Air to the Northeast is a natural progression of our investments in
India’s logistics network. Customers will gain access to Amazon’s selection at
speeds up to five times faster than before, while sellers in the region can
reach customers nationwide more reliably,” he said.
India’s recent budget for 2026 places clear
priority on boosting air cargo infrastructure, and the expansion we’re seeing
fits right into that strategy. The government is putting money into upgrading
cargo terminals and cold-chain warehousing, improving facilities for perishable
and high-value exports, and removing limits on courier export values—all moves
designed to fuel cross-border e-commerce. Naturally, these steps are likely to
raise the demand for dedicated freighter capacity within the country.
It’s not only about logistics, that dedicated
freighter services introduced in Guwahati will help to improve, it is a step
that shows that e-commerce air cargo networks integrating pan-India are
becoming a reality. In this regard airlines logistics providers, and digital
marketplaces cooperate within the same unified supply chains. For Amazon, this
development is a clear sign of how a small specialized cargo airline can be a
game changer in the Indian logistics industry by linking distant regions,
delivering goods faster, and enabling the growth of the digital commerce sector
in the country.
 Picture
this. It’s 2026, and a brand-new airline is taking off from Saudi Arabia with
a goal that’s bigger than just flying people from one city to another. It
also wants to change how the world moves goods, and it wants to do it from
Riyadh.  “We’re
building our service network with local partners who understand their
markets,” declared Pravin Singh, VP of Cargo at Riyadh Air and Head of Riyadh
Cargo.
Examining
the markets that Riyadh Cargo is building in reveals a strategy. Riyadh
is the primary hub, with services extending across key airports like King
Khalid International in Riyadh, King Fahd International in Dammam, and King
Abdulaziz International in Jeddah.Outside Saudi Arabia, Riyadh Air has lined
up additional partners too. Worldwide Flight Services at London Heathrow is a
major one. They’ve
also secured partnerships in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bangladesh,
and the UK—supporting both online and offline sales, including in Manchester. So
if we zoom out, what’s the bigger reason Saudi Arabia is putting this much
energy into cargo right now? Vision 2030. The
broader goal is to diversify the economy beyond oil by creating sectors that
compound—logistics being one of the strongest examples. Because
if you build a credible cargo hub, trade follows. And when trade follows, you
start attracting warehousing, manufacturing, services, and jobs. It becomes
an ecosystem, not just an airline. Riyadh
Air’s overall growth plan is huge—building toward a major fleet and a network
that aims for more than 100 destinations by 2030. No
doubt you’ll hear big economic expectations around it too: major non-oil GDP
contribution and hundreds of thousands of jobs tied directly and indirectly
to the airline’s expansion.
 Here’s a key point not to be forgotten: cargo isn’t a decoration in the big picture.
Cargo helps make the network work financially by supporting route economics
year-round. And
the real tension in this story—the part everyone will be watching—comes down
to one question: can Riyadh Cargo scale fast without letting service quality
wobble? |
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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