JUPITER SEA & AIR
SERVICES PVT. LTD, EGMORE – CHENNAI, INDIA.
E-MAIL : Robert.sands@jupiterseaair.co.in Mobile : +91 98407 85202
Corporate News Letter for Wednesday July 15, 2026
Today’s Exchange Rates
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/// Sea Cargo News ///
Kamarajar
Port Achieves 18-Metre Draft Milestone
Kamarajar Port has become India's second major port to offer an 18-metre draft, marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to strengthen maritime infrastructure and accommodate larger cargo vessels.
The deeper draft will enable the port to
handle bigger container ships, bulk carriers, and other large vessels with
higher cargo capacities, improving operational efficiency and reducing
logistics costs for shipping lines and cargo owners.
The enhancement is expected to boost the
port's competitiveness as a key gateway on India's east coast. The upgraded
draft will also improve vessel turnaround, increase cargo-handling capacity,
and support higher trade volumes by allowing ships to operate with fuller
loads.
This development aligns with the government's
vision of modernising port infrastructure under its broader maritime
development initiatives.
Located near Chennai, Kamarajar Port plays a
vital role in handling diverse cargo, including containers, automobiles, coal,
petroleum products and project cargo. The improved infra-structure is expected
to attract more international shipping services and strengthen connectivity
with major global trade routes.
The achievement reinforces Kamarajar Port’s
position as a strategic maritime hub, supporting India’s growing Import-Export
trade while enhancing supply chain efficiency and the country’s long-term
logistics competitiveness.
DP World Expands
Coastal Fleet with Acquisition of India-Flagged Container Vessel DP World Indus
D P World's Marine Services business, Shipping Solutions, has strengthened its coastal shipping operations in India with the acquisition of DP World Indus, an India-flagged container vessel with a capacity of more than 2,500 TEUs, reinforcing the company's commitment to enhancing domestic maritime connectivity and sustainable logistics.
The addition of DP World Indus expands DP
World's coastal shipping capabilities, enabling more reliable, efficient and
environmentally sustainable container transportation between key Indian ports.
The vessel is expected to support the shift
of cargo from road to sea, easing highway congestion while improving supply
chain resilience and reducing carbon emissions. DP World's Shipping Solutions
currently operates a dedicated coastal network spanning 14 Indian ports with a
fleet of 10 vessels.
In 2025, the business handled more than
473,000 TEUs through its coastal shipping services, reflecting growing demand
for multimodal logistics solutions across the country.
The newly acquired vessel also marked a
significant milestone by making its maiden call at DP World’s Jeddah South
Container Terminal, highlighting the company’s strategy of integrating its
ports and marine services to strengthen regional and international trade
connectivity.
The acquisition aligns with DP World’s
broader investment strategy in India, where the company continues to expand its
presence across ports, terminals, logistics infrastructure and integrated
supply chain solutions.
Chennai Port
Reinforces Position as India's Leading Automobile Export Gateway
Chennai Port has further strengthened its reputation as India's premier automobile export hub on the East Coast, handling a record 204,165 vehicles during the last financial year and reaffirming its pivotal role in the country's automotive export supply chain.
The milestone reflects the port's growing
importance in supporting India's booming automobile manufacturing sector.
Strategically located to serve the automobile manufacturing clusters of
Sriperumbudur and Oragadam—widely known as the "Detroit of South
Asia"—Chennai Port provides seamless export connectivity for leading
global vehicle manufacturers.
Its dedicated automobile handling
infrastructure, efficient logistics ecosystem, and strong hinterland
connectivity have made it the preferred gateway for vehicle exports from
southern India.
Together with Kamarajar Port Limited, the
Chennai twin ports have achieved an impressive operational benchmark, exporting
once car every 80 seconds during FY 2025-26. The achieve- ment underscores the
combined strength of the two ports in supporting India’s growing automobile
exports while enhancing the country’s competitiveness in global markets.
The record performance also highlights the
increasing contribution of Chennai’s maritime ecosystem to India’s export-led
growth, backed by modern port infrastructure, efficient cargo handling and
close integration with one of Asia’s largest automobile manufacturing regions.
As vehicle exports continue to rise, Chennai Port is expected to remain at the
forefront of India’s automotive logistics and international trade.
Chinese Auto Component
Imports Gain Ground in India: ACMA
China strengthened its position as India's largest source of auto component imports in FY26, accounting for 36% of the country's total imports, according to the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA).
The rise highlights India's continued
dependence on Chinese suppliers for key automotive parts despite ongoing
efforts to boost domestic manufacturing and diversify supply chains.
ACMA's latest industry data showed that
imports from China continued to outpace those from other major sourcing
markets, driven by strong demand for electronics, electric vehicle (EV)
components, precision parts, and other high-value automotive products.
The trend reflects the growing integration of
advanced technologies into vehicle manufacturing, particularly in the EV
segment.
The industry body noted that while India’s
auto component sector has expanded its production capabilities and exports,
certain critical components are still largely sourced from overseas due to
limited domestic manufacturing capacity and cost competitiveness. China remains
a preferred supplier because of its extensive manufacturing ecosystems,
economies of scale and competitive pricing.
Despite the higher import share from China,
India’s auto component industry continues to witness robust growth in
production and exports, supported by rising vehicle demand, increasing
localization efforts and expanding opportunities in global automotive supply
chain.
Port of Felixstowe
Boosts Autonomous Truck Fleet
The Port of Felixstowe has expanded its fleet of autonomous trucks as part of its ongoing drive to enhance terminal efficiency, improve cargo handling, and accelerate the adoption of smart port technologies.
The additional autonomous vehicles will be
used to transport containers between quayside operations and storage yards,
helping streamline internal logistics, reduce turnaround times, and optimise
the movement of cargo across the terminal.
The initiative is expected to increase
operational productivity while supporting safer and more efficient port
operations. The fleet expansion forms part of the port's broader digital
transformation strategy, which includes investments in automation, data-driven
logistics, and advanced terminal management systems.
These technologies are designed to improve
asset utilisation, minimise congestion and enhance service reliability for
shipping lines and cargo owners.
As one of the UK’s busiest container ports,
Felixstowe continues to modernise its infrastructure to accommodate growing
trade volumes and larger container vessels. The deployment of autonomous
vehicles are expected to strengthen the port’s competitiveness by improving
operational resilience and reducing logistics costs.
The investment highlights the growing role of
automation in the global maritime industry with smart technologies increasingly
helping ports boost efficiency, optimise supply chains and support sustainable
long-term growth.
Hapag
Lloyd raises India and Bangladesh – Europe freight rates
Hapag Lloyd has announced higher ocean tariff rates for shipments from India and Bangladesh to Northern Europe, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, effective for sailings from August 01, 2026.
The
carrier will increase base rates by USD 2,000 per container across all covered
trades.
For
cargo from Ennore and Colombo, the new base rates to Northern Europe will be
USD 4,693/20ft and USD 4,536/40ft dry containers. Rates to the Mediterranean
and Black Sea will increase to USD 4,778/20ft and USD 4,396/40ft dry
containers.
For
cargo from Chittagong, the new base rates to Northern Europe will rise to USD
5,343/20ft and USD 5,036/40ft dry containers. Shipments to the Mediterranean
and Black Sea region will increase to USD 4,748/20ft and USD 4,646/40ft dry
containers.
The
revised tariff levels to all affected sailings commencing on or after August
01, 2026.
Maersk revised Peak Season
Surcharges for Latin American trades
Maersk will adjust its Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) for shipments from Far East Asia to Mexico, the West Coast of South America, Central America and the Caribbean.
The
revised surcharges will take effect of July 10, 2026 for cargo originating in
Far East Asia, excluding South Korea. For shipments from South Korea, the new
PSS will apply from July 24, 2026.
Under
the updated tariff, the surcharges will be set at USD 1,000/- per 20ft dry
container and USD 1,000 per 20ft Reefer container.
The
revised PSS applies to cargo moving from Far East Asian origins to destinations
across Mexico, the West coast of South Americal, Central America and the
Caribbean, and covers a wide range of equipment types, including dry, reefer,
flat rack, open top and tank containers.
Maersk
said the surcharges will remain in effect until further notice and will be
applied based on the applicable Price Calculation Date and freight payment
terms.
Gemini return to Suez could
strengthen Eastern Mediterranean gateways
Gemini return to Suez canal marks the first structural step by Maersk and Hapag Lloyd towards restoring container services through the Suez Canal. The partners announced that the AE15 service will return to the trans-Suez route after operating via the Cape of Good Hope.
The
change follows a joint assessment of the security situation in the Red Sea. The
first vessel to sail on the revised route will be the Majestic Maersk. The updated rotation will be :
Qingdao
– Kwangyang – Ningbo – Tanjung Pelepas – Port Said – Damietta – Colombo –
Singapore.
Although
the AE15 service does not include a Greek Port, the decisions significant for
the wider Easter Mediterranean. It could strengthen the region’s role as a
gateway between Asia and Europe if more carriers follow the same approach.
For
more than two years, vessels have avoided the Red Sea because of security
concerns. Instead, many services diverted around the Cape of Good Hope. The
longer route increased transit times, raised operating costs and disrupted
supply chains.
A
gradual return to the Suez Canal could revert some of these challenges. Shorter
voyages would improve schedule reliability and reduce sailing distances. They
could also help restore the competitive advantage of Eastern Mediterranean
ports.
/// Air Cargo News ///
Saudia Cargo orders four Boeing 777
freighters
Saudia
Cargo has ordered four Boeing 777-200 freighters that will be delivered from
the fourth quarter of this year.
The
remaining three deliveries are due to be completed throughout 2027 and will
increase capacity in line with the carrier’s plan to double its cargo fleet and
enhance its operational capabilities, supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision
2030 and the National Transport and Logistics Strategy.
Saudia
Cargo’s current fleet already includes four 777Fs, according to data from
Planespotters.
The carrier also has four Boeing 747-400Fs, two of which are passenger to
freighter conversions.
Last
year, Saudia Cargo entered into a strategic agreement with ASL Aviation for the lease of
two Airbus A330-300Fs.
These
aircraft, both conversions, were delivered in February and April of this year,
shows Planespotters’ fleet tracking information.
Saudia
Cargo chief executive and managing director Loay Mashabi said: This
announcement represents a strategic milestone in Saudia Cargo’s journey,
reflecting a long-term vision we initiated years ago to enhance our
capabilities and expand our global presence.
“The
addition of four new freighters is the first step in this phase, reinforcing
the value we deliver to our customers and partners, and supporting the
objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 in reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a
global logistics hub. What we are announcing today is only the beginning of a
new era of growth and expansion.”
Omar
Arekat, vice president of commercials sales and marketing for the Middle East
at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, added: “Saudia Cargo’s order for Boeing 777
Freighters is a testament to the airplane’s unmatched performance and
versatility.
“The
agreement strengthens our longstanding partnership with Saudia Group, which has
spanned over 75 years, and we look forward to further supporting their cargo
growth initiatives.”
Last
year, Saudia Cargo utilised a network of over 90 destinations to deliver more
than 570,000 tons of cargo.
China-EU freighter capacity falls as
new e-commerce charge comes into effect
Freighter
capacity between China and Hong Kong and the European Union appears to have
declined following the start of a new European Union fee for the import of
small packages on 1 July.
Figures
from data provider and consultant Rotate show that dedicated direct freighter
capacity from China and Hong Kong over a 48-hour period starting Monday morning
was down 19% compared with the previous week.
Capacity
declines are largest at known e-commerce gateways such as Budapest and Milan
Malpensa.
In
Asia, Hong Kong is the most-impacted origin with a 47% week-on-week decline in
dedicated freighter capacity, with the likes of Urumqi and Nanjing in China
showing “significant declines”, Rotate said.
However,
the week-on-week decline could be partly explained by front-loading in the week
prior to the new rules coming into place.
As
of 1 July, the EU introduced a temporary €3 customs duty on low-value parcels
imported from outside the EU, mainly through e-commerce.
This
customs duty includes a wide range of products commonly bought online, such as
clothing, toys, electronics, and other consumer goods.
The
new duty will apply per item, based on tariff classification and not quantity,
said the European Commission.
“Every
day, millions of low-value parcels enter the EU,” said the EC. “Many contain
products that do not meet EU safety standards or are undervalued or falsely
declared to avoid customs duties.
“At
the same time, the current customs duty exemption gives non-EU sellers an
unfair advantage over businesses that manufacture or sell products in the EU.”
Parcelhero‘s
head of consumer research David Jinks warned that the move would alter the
economics of selling goods into Europe, pointing out that if a parcel contained
multiple items, each one of those would need to pay a €3 charge.
He
added that the late publication of official guidance – just weeks before
implementation – had also caused “alarm among logistics operators”.
A
coalition of logistics and parcel firms in May wrote to the European Union
requesting a phased implementation of the new rules.
The
abolition of the de minimis rule could be followed later in the year by a
separate €2 processing fee, expected in November 2026.
Some
EU member states are already introducing their own local fees and requirements
in parallel with the EU-wide reform.
US Airforwarders the latest to warn
over IATA DAWB changes
The
US Airforwarders Association (AfA) is the latest group to issue a warning over
the impact of IATA’s changes to the Direct Air Waybill framework.
The
US Association has advised freight forwarders to confirm contractual
arrangements with every airline and review insurance cover as the revised IATA
Direct Air Waybill (DAWB) framework comes into effect.
The
AfA said that the revised framework, which came into effect on 1 July, could
alter the contractual relationship between airlines, shippers, and freight
forwarders, “potentially leaving forwarders responsible for obligations
traditionally borne by the shipper, including cargo misdeclarations, concealed
dangerous goods, and packaging failures”.
Global
freight forwarder association FIATA has also expressed concern over the new
rules and is seeking
to delay implementation.
“Freight
forwarders should not be expected to assume liability for cargo they neither
own, pack, nor control,” said Brandon Fried, executive director, AfA.
“The
revised framework risks shifting responsibility away from the party creating
and controlling the risk and onto an intermediary whose role has not
fundamentally changed, creating potentially significant legal, operational, and
insurance consequences for freight forwarders.”
The
AfA is advising members to obtain written confirmation from every airline on
which contractual framework will apply to their shipments before tendering
cargo, and to consult their insurers to determine whether their existing
liability policies remain appropriate under the revised arrangements.
“Forwarder
liability insurance is designed around the services freight forwarders actually
perform, not around assuming shipper obligations,” said Fried.
“Businesses
should not assume their existing cover will automatically respond if
contractual liability changes. Smaller and medium-sized freight forwarders, in
particular, should carefully review both their contractual position and
insurance arrangements before accepting shipments under the revised framework.”
The
AfA is also concerned by reports that implementation may differ between
airlines, creating additional uncertainty for forwarders operating across
multiple carrier networks.
“The
possibility that all airlines may not implement these changes in the same way
creates unnecessary confusion at a time when the industry needs clarity,” said
Fried.
IATA
argues that under DAWBs, which are largely used for high-risk shipments,
forwarders tender cargo to the airlines on behalf of the shipper, meaning they
are acting as agents of the shippers and not agents of the airlines.
“Airlines
have essentially entered into a contract with an entity they do not know and
have not performed due diligence, anti-money laundering or sanctions and
embargo compliance checks,” said Carlos Tornero, IATA’s director of legal
services, in
an article on the topic.
DAWB
implies that forwarders are merely the shipper’s agent, and so if things go
wrong, such as a lithium battery fire, airlines must seek recourse against the
original shipper — effectively, an unknown party, IATA argues.
The
International Forwarders and Customers Brokers Association of Australia
(IFCBAA) said that it believed FIATA has acted far too late in the process.
“At
this advanced stage, expressions of concern and requests for clarification,
while necessary, may no longer be sufficient to protect the interests of
freight forwarders globally,” it said.
“The
issue has moved beyond procedural dissatisfaction and into a matter requiring
urgent legal intervention if the industry is to avoid being forced into a new
framework without adequate review, consensus, or legal certainty.”
The
association called on FIATA to urgently commence legal action in the Swiss
courts to challenge the new rules and seek injunctive relief.
Cathay Cargo to restart Middle East
freighter operations
Cathay
Pacific has announced that it will restart its Middle East freighter operations
in August, while passenger flights to the region are also getting back
underway.
The
Hong Kong-hubbed airline will, on 1 August, reintroduce Cathay Cargo’s
freighter flights to Riyadh, while daily passenger flights to Dubai and
four-times-weekly passenger flights to Riyadh will start on 1 September.
“Cathay
will continue to closely monitor the evolving situation in the Middle East
prior to the resumption dates,” the airline said in a statement.
At
this stage, the carrier has not announced plans to restart its Dubai freighter
operation.
The
airline suspended
operations to the Middle East back in March due to the outbreak of the
US-Iran conflict.
The
airline said that it had taken the decision to cancel the flights “in view of
the volatile situation in the Middle East” and to provide “both our passengers
and cargo customers with greater certainty for their planning”.
Cathay
is not the only non-Middle East airline to announce a resumption of operations
in the region.
Today,
Turkish Airlines also announced that it would fully restore its Middle
East passenger network, resuming flights to Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Kuwait, and
Bahrain this July.
Following
the recent restart of Dubai operations, these resumptions, alongside frequency
increases to Amman and Beirut, will significantly boost regional connectivity,
the airline said.
MASkargo and Qatar Airways Cargo begin
Kuala Lumpur-Bengaluru-Doha route
MASkargo
and Qatar Airways Cargo have expanded their partnership by jointly launching
dedicated twice-weekly freighter operations connecting Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia;
Bengaluru, India; and Doha, Qatar.
Operated
by Qatar Airways Cargo’s Boeing 777 freighters, the twice-weekly service on the
route provides 200 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity between the airports across
general cargo, perishables, pharmaceuticals and valuables.
Since
the launch of freighter operations, more than 1,000 tonnes of cargo have been
transported.
The
joint initiative follows the decision by Qatar Airways Cargo, IAG Cargo and
MASkargo to launch
a joint global cargo business in April last year.
The
carriers planned to adopt a fully integrated operating model, although it is
currently unclear how much progress has been made in executing the partnership.
This
latest development between MASkargo and Qatar Airways Cargo continues to
strengthen network resilience, support Asia-linked trade flows and broaden
access to key international markets, said MASkargo’s parent company, Malaysia
Airlines.
By
combining MASkargo’s network across Asia with Qatar Airways Cargo’s global
reach, customers benefit from enhanced connectivity to key markets across Asia,
Europe and North America, with Kuala Lumpur and Bengaluru serving as dedicated
gateways, added the airline.
Mark
Jason Thomas, chief executive of MASkargo, commented: “This collaboration
reflects MASkargo’s commitment to strengthening Kuala Lumpur’s position as a
strategic cargo gateway connecting Asia with key global trade lanes.
“Through
our existing passenger and freighter network, we continue to support cargo
flows across important regional and international markets, while our
partnership with Qatar Airways Cargo enables us to leverage our combined
strengths to deliver greater connectivity, flexibility and value for customers.
“In
line with our broader growth ambitions, this collaboration supports our focus
on optimising the cargo network through enhanced connectivity, greater
operational flexibility and more agile logistics solutions that meet the
evolving demands of global trade and high-value freight movements.”
Emirates SkyCargo to add transpac
operation and end pax-cargo flights
Emirates
SkyCargo is planning to launch its first flights on the transpacific tradelane,
while it will also soon end its passenger-freighter aircraft operations that
were launched following the outbreak of the Iran-US conflict.
Speaking
to Air Cargo News at the recent Air Cargo China exhibition,
Nadeem Sultan, senior vice president, cargo planning and freighters, said that
the carrier was expecting to enter the transpacific trade lane to capitalise on
rising demand.
The
service, which could launch this month, would operate on a round-the-world
basis, starting in Dubai before going to Hanoi, Anchorage, Chicago, Europe and
then back to Dubai.
In
Europe, the service would likely call at either Schiphol or Frankfurt, he said.
“Demand
is driven by a lot of general cargo but also, out of Vietnam, a lot of tech and
electronics, whether it’s phones, AI industry-related hardware, laptops, all of
that kind of demand,” said Sultan.
“Vietnam
has become a massive production destination and that is driving a lot of this
growth.”
The
carrier has been rapidly expanding its freighter capacity in recent years and
part of the need for extra aircraft is driven by the airline operating longer
sectors, which absorb more capacity.
“These
rotations are fairly long, so if you do two flights a week, that takes up a
whole aircraft,” he said. “The average sector length that we used to operate is
increasing quite a bit, so that is driving a lot of demand at our end.
“South
America and North America are key in terms of growth over the coming years,” he
added.
The
airline has added a total of six Boeing 777F freighters to its fleet since
March of this year, after taking
delivery of its first converted 777 freighter in June.
In
total, five more 777Fs are due to be delivered this year, including a second
conversion, meaning by the end of the year the carrier’s freighter fleet will
reach 23 777Fs (21 production and two converted) and the four wet-leased 747Fs.
Pax-freighter
operation to end
Meanwhile,
Sultan also confirmed that the airline’s passenger-freighter operation will
likely come to an end in July.
The
carrier launched the operation following the outbreak of the Middle East
conflict when it had spare passenger aircraft as a result of lower tourist and
business demand into the region.
However,
the aircraft are now required for passenger flights as the conflict eases.
At
its height, the passenger-freighter operation used 15 Boeing 777-300ERs, each
offering capacity of around 65 tonnes.
“They
have been utilised all over the world,” he said. “We have got flights going to
South America, North America and the Far East.
“Our
passenger operation today is around 91%, and by mid-July is expected to reach
100%, so by that time we expect to stop with the passenger-freighter
operations, but by that time we would have taken delivery of a few more new
freighters.”
He
added: “2026 is a phenomenal year in terms of growth for SkyCargo in terms of
capacity.”
Sultan
said that the airline is already considering its capacity options after 2027
due to the strong demand levels, to meet the expansion of the passenger fleet
and because Dubai is building a new airport that will be operational around
2032.
On
the question of the airline’s plans for next-generation freighters, whether
Emirates will order the Airbus A350F or the Boeing 777-8F, Sultan said the
company is still considering its options.
“Both
platforms are still an option,” he said. “To be honest, the delays that both
platforms are experiencing have hampered our ability to make a decision.”
He
added: “But we do hope, before the end of this year, to make a decision on
that.”
He
added that in the meantime, the converted freighters are perfectly timed to
bridge the gap. Asked whether it is a concern that the orderbook for both
models could continue to grow, Sultan said that Emirates could convert slots it
has for the passenger models into freighter slots if necessary.
Demand
outlook
Elsewhere,
Sultan was positive about the demand outlook for the rest of the year.
“Because
of the geopolitics and the disruption on the ocean freight side, that will
continue to drive airfreight demand for the rest of this year. So 2026/27 is
going to be a strong period for airfreight,” he said.
“This
ocean freight disruption that we have seen, to iron it out, get the containers
where they need to be to get the shipping lines to where they need to be again,
that is going to be taking them a good few months, if not more, to get things
back to normal.
“People
are hedging their bets to an extent and just buying airfreight capacity to make
sure they have a way to move their goods and then they will wait until the end
of the year and next year to make long-term decisions on ocean freight.”
He
also reiterated that the growth being experienced for technology, data centre
and AI demand would continue to boost air cargo.
FAA adds new airworthiness directive
for certain Boeing 747-8Fs
The
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is adopting a new safety-based
airworthiness directive (AD) for “certain” Boeing 747-8F series airplanes
“prompted by reports of cracking in stringers and splice fittings located at
stringer splices at multiple body stations”.
Effective
6 August, the AD requires an inspection of each free flange of the stringers at
the stringer splice for radius fillers at certain fastener locations, an
inspection for cracking of the stringers and stringer splice fittings at
certain stringer splice locations, and applicable on-condition actions.
“The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products,”
stated the AD document, issued on 2 July.
The
FAA previously issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to add the AD. The
NPRM was published in the Federal Register in November last year.
Required
inspections are estimated to cost US operators up to $344,080, per airplane,
said the FAA. The repetitive inspections are estimated to cost $85 per
inspection area, every 48 or 96 months, depending on findings.
At
this stage, it is not clear which 747-8Fs the AD applies to.
The
747-8F was built from 2008 until Boeing ended the 747 line in 2023. The
freighter first entered service in October 2011 with Cargolux and two of the last four
747-8F ever to be built are being operated by freight forwarder
Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) and its subsidiary Apex Logistics through a charter
partnership with lessor Atlas Air.
Data
from fleet tracking website Planespotters indicates that current operators of
the 747-8F include UPS with 30 of the
model;
and Atlas Air with 17, two of which are leased by K+N and Apex.
Cargolux
and Cathay Cargo have 14 aircraft each, Nippon Cargo Airlines has eight and
Silk Way West has five.
SolitAir launches first route to the EU
Dubai-based
cargo airline SolitAir has launched its inaugural flight to Sofia, Bulgaria,
marking the cargo carrier’s first route into the European Union.
SolitAir’s
flights from its hub at Dubai World Central in the UAE to Vasil Levski Sofia
Airport have been made possible by its ACC3 (Air Cargo or Mail Carrier
operating into the Union from a Third Country Airport) designation, granted by the
Belgian Civil Aviation Authority in March.
Combined
with its existing UAE GCAA Air Operator’s Certificate and EASA Third Country
Operator (TCO) authorisation, the designation completes the regulatory
foundation required for SolitAir to operate scheduled freighter services into
EU airspace.
The
route gives EU-based freight forwarders, integrators and e-commerce businesses
a direct link into SolitAir’s wider network across the Middle East, Africa, the
Indian Subcontinent, the STAN countries and China.
Hamdi
Osman, founder and chief executive of SolitAir, said: “Sofia is more than a new
dot on the map – it is the first European link in a network we have built city
by city across some of the world’s most commercially vital, yet underserved,
trade routes.
“Our
ACC3 certification was never just a regulatory milestone; it was the key that
would let us connect the markets we already serve to Europe.”
Sofia
occupies a strategic position at the crossroads of Central, Eastern and South-
Eastern Europe, with established road and rail links into the EU’s wider single
market.
The
city has developed into a regional logistics and manufacturing base, with
growing demand for time-critical airfreight spanning e-commerce, automotive
components, pharmaceuticals and perishables – sectors that align closely with
SolitAir’s existing cargo specialisms.
SolitAir
obtained an Air Operator
Certificate (AOC) from
the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) General Civil Aviation Authority in March last
year.
Since
its operational launch in October 2024, the airline has grown to 56 routes
across more than 34 countries, including a 17-city network across Africa,
anchored by a hub in Nairobi.
SolitAir
operates a fleet of seven 737-800 Boeing converted freighters, each with
20-tonne cargo capacity and able to carry dangerous goods, pharmaceuticals,
perishables, valuable and oversized freight.
The
airline is targeting fleet growth to 20 aircraft operating from its 20,440 sq m
cargo hub at Dubai World Central.
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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