JUPITER SEA & AIR SERVICES PVT. LTD, EGMORE – CHENNAI, INDIA.

 

E-MAIL : Robert.sands@jupiterseaair.co.in   Mobile : +91 98407 85202

 

 

Corporate News Letter for Tuesday  August  11,  2026

Today’s Exchange Rates

CURRENCY▲	PRICE	CHANGE	%CHANGE	OPEN	PREV.CLOSE
USD/INR	95.3	0.090004	0.094532	95.17	95.21
EUR/USD	1.1542	-0.0017	-0.147075	1.1558	1.1559
GBP/INR	128.6121	0.637306	0.497993	128.3431	127.9748
EUR/INR	110.143	0.376801	0.343276	109.9371	109.7662
USD/JPY	159.173	1.41301	0.89567	157.57	157.76
GBP/USD	1.3508	0.0017	0.126013	1.3486	1.3491
JPY/INR	0.6	-0.0052	-0.859215	0.6036	0.6052

///                   Sea Cargo News            ///

Hapag-Lloyd’s $4.2 billion Zim deal faces growing opposition in Israel

Hapag-Lloyd and FIMI’s proposed $4.2 billion acquisition of Zim is facing growing opposition from Israeli authorities, raising doubts over whether the deal will receive government approval.

A meeting between eight government agencies expected to submit their positions on the transaction has been postponed. It is now scheduled for 9 September, according to a report by Calcalist.

Most of the agencies are expected to oppose the transaction. However, no final decision has been made.

Hapag-Lloyd and FIMI are expected to receive a hearing at Israel’s Companies Authority after the agencies submit their positions. This could provide the buyers with another opportunity to make their case.

Israeli Shipping Authority maintains opposition to Zim deal

Tzadok Radker, head of Israel’s Shipping and Ports Authority, has submitted a second opinion on the proposed acquisition. His position remains against the deal.

The authority plays an important role in the review process, as several government agencies rely on its professional assessment.

Its latest opinion came after Hapag-Lloyd, FIMI and Zim submitted additional information about the proposed transaction.

The buyers have outlined several commitments for a new Israeli shipping company that would be separated from Zim’s international operations.

Under the proposal, Zim Israel would operate 16 ships. Hapag-Lloyd has also pledged to establish a new Israeli regional division with 200 employees.

In addition, the plan includes a technology centre with between 250 and 300 full-time employees. Employment guarantees would remain in place for 10 years.

The proposed Zim Israel would also begin operations without debt. The current Zim has approximately $2.9 billion in debt.

Concerns over Zim Israel’s independence

Despite these commitments, the Shipping and Ports Authority remains concerned about the independence of the proposed company.

“The cumulative weight of the positive data presented is limited in relation to the fundamental issues relating to effective control, economic and operational independence, the company’s sustainability over time and the preservation of the national interests underlying the special share (the golden share),” the authority’s opinion stated.

According to the authority, the additional information has not addressed its main concerns.

“Therefore, the position of the Shipping Authority remains unchanged. There is no additional information presented that indicates a change in the position conveyed in the past, and therefore there is no reason to approve the transaction in its current form,” the opinion added.

The authority argues that Zim Israel would remain dependent on Hapag-Lloyd for access to capacity, international routes, key markets and operating infrastructure.

It also believes the smaller Israeli company could face challenges in meeting the requirements linked to the state’s golden share if financial or operational problems emerge.

However, the authority acknowledged some positive elements. These include commitments to retain existing Israeli seafarers and train additional workers.

FIMI challenges authority’s assessment

FIMI rejected the Shipping and Ports Authority’s conclusions.

“The Shipping Authority’s position is based on fundamentally incorrect factual assumptions,” FIMI said.

The investment fund said it had made significant changes to the proposal to address concerns raised during the review process.

Hapag-Lloyd, FIMI and Zim have submitted around 600 pages of material supporting the transaction. They have also provided opinions from Ernst & Young, Boston Consulting Group and former Shipping and Ports Authority head Yigal Maor.

According to the report, the buyers received 174 questions from the eight government agencies and have answered 120 of them.

FIMI maintains that the proposed Zim Israel would operate as an independent Israeli shipping company.

“The new Zim will be an independent and strong Israeli company at all levels of its activity, independent of any foreign entity,” FIMI said.

Decision on Hapag-Lloyd-Zim deal expected next month

Several Israeli government bodies are currently opposed to the transaction.

These reportedly include the Defense Ministry, Economy Ministry, Agriculture Ministry and Transportation Ministry. The Accountant General’s Department within the Finance Ministry is also understood to oppose the deal.

Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry and National Maritime Administration have yet to submit their final positions.

An official decision is expected after the Companies Authority receives the positions of the relevant government bodies.

If the deal is rejected, FIMI is not expected to challenge the decision in court. Hapag-Lloyd, however, could consider legal action.

Samudera launches Khor Fakkan India Express service

Samudera has launched its new Khor Fakkan India Express (KIX) service, strengthening container shipping connections between western India and the Gulf.

The service is scheduled to commence in mid-July 2026. It will deploy two vessels on a 14-day rotation, providing fixed weekly sailings and consistent cargo connections between India and Khor Fakkan.

KIX port rotation

The Khor Fakkan India Express will operate with the following rotation:

Nhava Sheva (BMCT) – Mundra (MICT) – Khor Fakkan (KCT) – Nhava Sheva (BMCT)

Service details

·        Transit time: 14 days

·        Fleet deployment: Two vessels

·        Frequency: Fixed weekly

·        Commencement voyage: Kuo Lung 1001W

·        Estimated arrival at Nhava Sheva: 14 July 2026

Wider regional connectivity

Alongside providing a direct connection between western India and the Gulf, the KIX service will link with Samudera’s existing network at Nhava Sheva and Mundra.

These connections will give customers access to bidirectional cargo flows across the Indian Subcontinent, South Asia and the Far East.

Samudera said the new service is intended to improve schedule reliability and support more efficient cargo movements across the region. Its launch also forms part of the shipping line’s wider strategy to expand its network and respond to changing trade requirements.

DSIC delivers next-generation LNG carrier SEA ENERGY

Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. has delivered SEA ENERGY, the lead vessel in a new series of second-generation LNG carriers for China Merchants Energy Shipping.

The naming and delivery ceremony took place on 24 July 2026.

SEA ENERGY has a cargo capacity of 175,000 cubic metres. Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. designed and constructed the vessel, while China Classification Society provided survey services throughout the project.

Representatives from China Merchants Group, the Hong Kong government, PetroChina, Dalian Maritime University and the shipbuilder attended the ceremony.

Zhang Hui, General Manager of the CCS Dalian Branch, also participated.

SEA ENERGY features upgraded design

SEA ENERGY uses a Mark III Flex cargo containment system.

Its equipment includes dual-fuel main engines and generators, a conventional oil-fired boiler, a cargo-handling system and a re-liquefaction unit.

The design builds on experience gained from the first generation of 175,000-cubic-metre LNG carriers.

DSIC introduced several technical upgrades and optimised the vessel’s hull form. These changes aim to improve fuel efficiency and operational flexibility.

The vessel is also designed to operate across a wide range of LNG terminals. According to CCS, it can safely berth at most LNG facilities worldwide.

Mega-block method shortens construction cycle

According to CCS, SEA ENERGY was the first vessel in the programme to use a mega-block construction method.

The approach allowed the shipyard to begin installing the cargo containment system earlier in the construction process. This helped shorten the overall building schedule.

CCS adjusted its survey process to support the earlier installation work.

The classification society also worked with the shipowner, shipyard and other project participants to monitor construction and optimise production procedures.

CCS supports future vessels in series

The delivery marks the latest cooperation between CCS, Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. and China Merchants Energy Shipping in the large LNG carrier sector.

CCS plans to continue providing technical and survey support for the remaining vessels in the series.

The classification society said it would also strengthen its capabilities to support the serial construction of large LNG carriers.

CMA CGM names 15,000 TEU methanol-powered vessel

CMA CGM has officially named CMA CGM ROI ARTHUR, a new methanol-powered container ship with a capacity of 15,000 TEUs.

The vessel will join the French carrier’s REX2 service as part of its new generation of ships designed to support the decarbonisation of maritime transport.

Methanol propulsion supports fleet transition

CMA CGM said the use of methanol will help reduce atmospheric emissions and support the shipping industry’s energy transition.

The carrier did not provide further technical information about the vessel’s propulsion system, shipyard, delivery date or initial deployment schedule.

Naming ceremony welcomes new vessel

Captain Roman Didenko, Master of CMA CGM ROI ARTHUR, attended the vessel’s naming ceremony.

Sun Lijun served as the ship’s godmother. She is Vice Chairman of Tianjin Bridge Welding Materials Group and Vice President of the Tianjin Women Entrepreneurs Association.

CMA CGM ROI ARTHUR is now preparing to join the REX2 service.

HMM Launches India–East Africa Container Service from September

South Korea's leading container shipping company, HMM, has announced the launch of a new Gulf-India-East Africa (GIEA) Service, further strengthening maritime connectivity between India and East Africa.

The new service is scheduled to commence in the fourth week of September 2026. The new route will use Nhava Sheva and Mundra as its Indian hub ports, connecting them with the East African gateway ports of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Mombasa, Kenya.

The service represents HMM's second African feeder network under its hub-and-spoke strategy, which combines ultra-large vessels operating on major global trade lanes with smaller regional feeder ships serving emerging markets.

The strategy has been actively pursued since CEO Choi Won-hyuk assumed leadership of the company's container business.

Iran, Oman Agree on New Shipping Lanes in Strait of Hormuz

Iran has announced that it has reached an agreement with Oman to establish new shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, a move aimed at enhancing maritime safety, improving navigational efficiency, and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of international trade through one of the world's busiest shipping corridors.

According to Iranian officials, the new routing arrangement is designed to optimize vessel traffic and strengthen coordination between the two countries in managing navigation through the strategic waterway.

The agreement is expected to support safer passage for commercial vessels while reducing the risk of congestion in heavily trafficked sections of the strait.

///                   Air Cargo News            ///

Renovation of Bristol Freighter Type 170 moves at speed

                        Image: © Aerospace Bristol

Aviation and aerospace museum Aerospace Bristol has made considerable progress on its project to conserve and reassemble the last remaining Bristol Freighter aircraft in Europe.

The Bristol Freighter Type 170, with serial number NZ5911, is one of just 12 freighters still in existence and the only one remaining in the UK/Europe region.

Air Cargo News reported in June that Aerospace Bristol had begun conserving and reassembling the Bristol Freighter.

The 70-year-old aircraft returned to Bristol in southwest England from New Zealand in 2018. It was designed and built in Filton, which is just six miles from Bristol, close to where it now stands.

Good progress has been made, and visitors to Aerospace Bristol will soon be able to see the aircraft in its new permanent outdoor home.

The complex engineering operation of moving the aircraft outside is being described by Aerospace Bristol as “the beginning of the next chapter in the museum’s biggest-ever conservation project, transforming the rare aircraft into the centrepiece of a new outdoor exhibition where visitors can watch history being preserved in real time”.

Sally Cordwell, chief executive of Aerospace Bristol, remarked: “This is far more than a conservation project, it’s an opportunity for visitors to experience history being preserved before their eyes.

“Projects of this scale are rarely seen by the public. Visitors won’t just see the aircraft up close, they’ll meet the volunteers conserving it, discover the engineering behind the project and experience a remarkable piece of Bristol’s aviation heritage as its brought back to life.”

Once in position, the freighter will remain outdoors permanently, ready for the next stage of the project when its centre wing box will be reunited with the aircraft’s fuselage later this summer.

Unlike most major restoration projects, which take place behind closed workshop doors, the Bristol Freighter conservation project is happening in full public view, giving visitors an extraordinary opportunity to follow
the aircraft’s transformation as it happens.

SAL expands internationally with Aviapartner Liege acquisition

              Image: © Shutterstock skyfish/ Shutterstock

Saudi Arabia-based cargo handler SAL Logistics Services has expanded internationally for the first time with the acquisition of Aviapartner Liege.

The deal, initially announced in March, will see SAL gain a presence at cargo specialist hub Liege, which is the fifth-largest cargo airport in Europe.

SAL said the deal for 100% of Aviapartner Liege is worth around €28m and was completed in cash from its internal resources.

“The acquisition gives SAL a strategic position in a major European cargo gateway,” SAL said in a press release. “Located within Europe’s cargo Golden Triangle, a region through which more than 70% of European freight flows, Liège offers strong connectivity to major trade and transport hubs in Germany, the Netherlands, France and Luxembourg.

“The airport’s advanced cargo infrastructure, 24/7 operations and absence of night-time curfew restrictions support fast, reliable and time-sensitive cargo movement across European markets.”

Aviapartner has been at Liege for more than 60 years and the deal will bring existing relationships to airlines, forwarders and logistics companies.

SAL said the company provides services covering cargo handling, ramp assistance, warehouse logistics and specialist freight processing including pharmaceuticals, perishables, specialist freight, automotive and other high-value cargo segments.

The Saudi company added that the acquisition expands the scope of services it can offer at international airports, strengthens its ability to support cargo flows between Saudi Arabia, Europe and wider global markets, and enhances the value it delivers to both existing and new customers.

“It also creates opportunities to pursue broader customer mandates, develop new airline relationships and grow in higher-value cargo segments where speed, reliability and quality of handling are critical, while providing a strong platform for long-term growth in one of Europe’s most strategically positioned air cargo markets,” SAL added.

SAL Logistics Services customer Saudia Cargo currently operates regular freighter flights to the Belgian hub.

Omar Talal Hariri, chief executive of SAL, added: “This acquisition is an important step in the next phase of SAL’s strategy. Our ambition is not only to grow our footprint, but to build a platform that connects markets, capabilities and customers across key global trade corridors.

“AviapartnerLiège gives us our first international operating base, supported by specialist expertise and customer relationships that can strengthen the way we serve airlines, freight forwarders and cargo owners. As we scale beyond the Kingdom, we remain focused on building capabilities that support our customers and contribute to the Kingdom’s ambition to become a leading global logistics hub under Vision 2030.”

The airport is currently looking to expand its cargo presence through its €500m CargoLand development that is expected to add multiple phases of warehouse infrastructure expansion and first-line airside access.

This is directly expected to support Liege Airport’s ambition to nearly double cargo capacity and annual flight movements by 2040.

CargoLand will involve 90 ha of land set aside for logistics development. Some 24 hectares are being made available for office development.

A 38,000m² first-line warehouse will be constructed to support long-term cargo growth, together with a 120,000m² e-commerce facility and 180,000m² landside warehouse to facilitate speedy distribution for last-mile deliveries and smooth second-line handling processes.

A total of 15 new parking stands are planned for ground support equipment (GSE), and a dedicated maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) hangar will speed up aircraft checks and servicing.

Last year, the Belgian hub registered year-on-year cargo volume growth of 14% to 1.3m tonnes, which it claimed was the strongest growth among the 10 largest European cargo airports.

Aviapartner also sold off its cargo operation at Brussels Airport earlier this year to WFS in order to focus on its core passenger business.

Airbus prepares to carry out flight vibration tests on A350 freighter

                    A350F ground vibration test. Image: © Airbus

Airbus is preparing to carry out flight vibration tests, known as “flutter tests” on its A350 freighter prototype as it works towards clearing the newbuild model for flight tests and service entry.

These tests will be conducted during the first three months of the flight test campaign, said Airbus in a progress update on its website on 3 August.

“These tests will take the aircraft up to its maximum dive speed and Mach (VD/MD), marking the final steps before the A350F is cleared for service entry,” said the aircraft manufacturer.

The first A350F has already undergone a series of rigorous development and certification tests.

This has included included ground tests earlier this year on the first aircraft in the final assembly line (FAL) in Toulouse, and test-rig demonstrations running in parallel for the Main-Deck Cargo Door (MDCD) actuation and the Cargo Loading System (CLS) in Bremen, Germany.

Following these, another kind of test milestone was recently performed – the Ground Vibration Test (GVT) – which took place in Toulouse over three days in June.

The GVT is designed to accurately model the aircraft’s dynamic response. By measuring how the aircraft reacts to controlled vibrations, the team could fine-tune the ‘finite element’ models used for aeroelastics and dynamic loads computation.

Nicolas Lastere, loads and aeroelastics expert, explained: “This validation is a ‘key enabler’ for the first flight, providing the necessary evidence to complete the first step of aeroelastics model validation – which is essential for the opening of the aircraft’s flight envelope.”

Preparation activities began several days before the tests. These included installing the testing set-up (e.g. the sensors, the electrodynamic shaker exciter, and the data acquisition chain); configuring the aircraft; and weighing the aircraft.

“The aircraft is excited by two means: by external shakers and by moving the aircraft’s own control surfaces,” explained Airbus.

The dynamic response of the aircraft is then captured by accelerometers, allowing an accurate identification of its structural characteristics.

The company’s video recordings show these parts of the aircraft resonate in response to the sine-wave vibration inputs.

To optimise the test duration, Airbus developed an innovative way to perform such tests: A data fusion approach was used – i.e. a combination of the aircraft’s own FTI (Flight Test Instrumentation) is complemented by additional autonomous sensors installed for the test.

“When the test was underway, the aircraft was ‘excited’ by its own control surfaces through sine sweeps performed on different frequency bandwidths,” said Fabien Ayme, aeroelastic testing expert.

“In addition, some shakers were connected to the airframe at the wingtips, on the rear fuselage cone (‘section 19.1’) and on the engines to complement the varieties of excitations.”

He added: “The accelerations were all monitored by the testing team in real-time. After each run, post-processing was performed in order to validate the data and provide first results to the design office for analysis – so they could adapt the test matrix.”

When the tests were completed, the overall consensus was that the GVT results were of a high quality and provided an overall good matching comparison with the theoretical model predictions.

The GVT is the culmination of two years of meticulous preparation. It draws on a wide array of expertise across the company, involving stakeholders from the Final Assembly Line, Flight Control Systems, Vibration Testing, Flight Test Instrumentation, Tooling Development, Aeroelastics, and Mass Properties & Quality.

“By validating the aircraft’s structural dynamics on the ground, the GVT team has ensured that when the A350F finally takes to the skies, it does so with the confidence of a design – particularly its aeroelastic model – that has been rigorously tested, measured and quantified,” concluded Ayme.

Two aircraft are now at Airbus’ final assembly line in Toulouse.

In May, Airbus explained it had been testing its A350F’s Main-Deck Cargo Door (MDCD) actuation system and Cargo Loading System (CLS) on large physical test rigs.

Air France-KLM gains from Middle East capacity reduction and high-tech demand in Q2

             Image: Shutterstock.com © Milan Rademakers

Air France-KLM Group recorded a cargo revenue increase of 25% year on year in the second quarter, supported by reduced industry capacity due to the Middle East conflict and demand for high-tech shipments.

Total cargo revenues for the Group were €711m in the second quarter, up 25.7% compared to the second quarter of 2025.

Cargo unit revenues (per Available Ton Kilometers – ATK) were up 26.7% for Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP), said the Group.

“Cargo unit revenues increased significantly (26.7% at constant currency) thanks to strong
demand resulting in an increase in load factor and yield and, especially in Asia, high unit
revenues.”

The Group added that “increased pricing following the rising fuel price” also contributed to revenue increases.

AFKLMP volumes for the quarter amounted to 237m kilograms, an 8.9% increase year on year, while capacity was up 2.9% year on year.

The Group commented: “Global air cargo capacity started to normalize towards the end of Q2, as Middle East disruption eased, Gulf hub capacity was restored and operational pressure reduced. However, demand
continued to outpace capacity growth on several key lanes, keeping the market relatively tight.

“In 2026’s second quarter, the Group’s Cargo business achieved an impressive increase of
revenue per ATK against a constant currency of 26.7%. Since the Middle East conflict started,
reduced industry capacity and strong industry demand, fueled by demand for semiconductors
and AI-related hardware, increased the Group’s yield by 17.2% and load factor by 3.7pt to 49.2%.

“Cargo carried 237 million kilograms, representing an 8.9% increase year-on-year. The capacity
grew 2.9%, despite limitations in full freighter capacity due to scheduled and unscheduled
maintenance and traffic increased by 11.3% year-on-year.”

The Group confirmed that as of 30 June, it had six Airbus A350 freighters on order. Total Group revenues increased by 9.7% to €7.6bn.

The next challenge isn’t innovation. It’s adoption.

Despite many claims to the contrary, air cargo has never lacked innovation. Over the past decade, the industry has introduced digital booking platforms, eAWBs, real-time visibility tools, predictive analytics, API connectivity, Artificial Intelligence, and, most recently, IATA’s ONE Record standard.

Almost every major conference features discussions about the next technological breakthrough, while airlines, freight forwarders, and technology providers continue to invest heavily in digital transformation.

However, the challenge is no longer innovation – it is adoption.

                      Illustration: Courtesy of Cargo iQ

Developing new technologies is only the first step. Their real value is unlocked only when thousands of organizations across the global supply chain adopt common standards, exchange data consistently, and integrate new processes into daily operations.

That is precisely why Cargo iQ’s latest Board restructuring deserves attention.

At first glance, the election of three new Board members and the re-election of four existing members appears to be routine governance. However, it reflects a much broader shift taking place across the industry. Cargo iQ is increasingly positioning itself not only as a developer of quality standards, but as an organization focused on driving their implementation across the global air cargo community.

From developing standards to driving adoption
For many years, Cargo iQ has been synonymous with shipment quality management. Its operational milestones and performance measurements have helped airlines, freight forwarders, and ground handlers monitor service quality using a common framework. Today, more than 80 members, including airlines, airports, handlers, freight forwarders, and technology providers, use Cargo iQ standards to improve operational consistency across international supply chains.

Yet the organization’s priorities are evolving.

Rather than concentrating solely on developing new standards, Cargo iQ is now placing increasing emphasis on implementation. The rollout of its Tiers Implementation System gives members a structured pathway towards adopting Cargo iQ processes, while a new data-driven audit program measures how consistently those standards are being applied across participating organizations.

It is a subtle but important shift as standards only create value when they become operational reality.

Digital transformation requires common rules
The same pattern can be seen across almost every major digital initiative in air cargo. Whether discussing ONE Record, AI-supported decision-making, API connectivity, or end-to-end shipment visibility, the underlying requirement remains remarkably similar: everyone must speak the same digital language.

Technology alone cannot solve fragmentation.

An AI application is only as reliable as the operational data it receives. ONE Record only delivers its full potential if airlines, freight forwarders, and technology providers exchange information using the same data model. Visibility platforms can only provide end-to-end transparency when every participant contributes standardized data.

The industry’s biggest obstacle is therefore no longer technical capability. It is collective implementation.

Collaboration is becoming operational infrastructure
This reality is also changing how organizations collaborate. Historically, many digital initiatives were driven by individual companies seeking competitive advantage through proprietary technology. Today, competitive differentiation increasingly depends on how effectively businesses integrate into shared digital ecosystems.

This shift makes industry organizations such as Cargo iQ increasingly relevant.

Its current priorities illustrate this evolution: while expanding the adoption of its quality standards, the organization is at the same time working on supporting API-driven processes, promoting the integration of ONE Record, improving station route maps, and strengthening standards for road feeder services. Each initiative addresses a different operational challenge, yet all share a common objective: creating greater consistency across the air cargo supply chain.

The newly structured Board reflects that ambition.

With broader representation from airlines, freight forwarders, and ground handling companies, strategic priorities can be developed from the perspective of the entire logistics chain rather than a single stakeholder group. In an industry where shipment quality depends on every handover, this kind of balanced representation becomes increasingly important.

Adoption will define the next phase of digitalization
Air cargo has reached an interesting point in its digital transformation. Most of the technologies needed to build a more connected, transparent and efficient industry already exist. The focus is gradually shifting away from inventing new solutions toward embedding existing ones into everyday operations.

This transition may ultimately prove more challenging than innovation itself.

Implementing common standards across thousands of organizations, legacy systems, and regional operating environments requires investment, trust, and long-term collaboration. Progress is often measured in incremental improvements rather than headline-grabbing announcements.

Yet those incremental steps are exactly what determines whether digital transformation succeeds. Cargo iQ’s latest Board elections may appear to be an internal organizational development, but they highlight one of the defining challenges facing air cargo today.

The future of the industry will not be determined by who develops the next digital solution. It will be determined by how quickly the industry adopts the ones it already has.

Munich Airport bucks the e-commerce downturn

Since early July, most European airports have been handling significantly fewer e-commerce shipments compared to the months before. The reason for this slowdown is the EU’s decision to abolish the duty-free threshold for small shipments under €150 from non-EU countries. Instead, Brussels is imposing a flat customs duty of €3 per product category.

e-Commerce continues to perform well at MUC Airport, despite the new customs fees – image: courtesy of MUC

This is a transitional rule that will become mandatory in mid-2028. While most EU countries have implemented the €3 customs fee, other member states are hesitating, including several Eastern European countries; this discrepancy has already led to a shift in supply chains toward Romania and some of its neighboring states.

In 2025 alone, 5.9 billion low-value items in packages from third countries flooded the EU market without paying customs duties. Every day, more than 16 million packages are cleared by customs for consumers in the EU. The new regulation is intended to help ensure fair conditions for EU businesses and confident choices for consumers—in response to the surge of billions of low-value e-commerce goods entering the EU. Maros Šefčovič, EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, explains the new customs rules as follows: “Open market, level playing field. The EU e-commerce market remains open—but this must not come at the expense of European consumers and businesses. Goods imported into the Union should meet the same standards of compliance and traceability as goods sold in our single market. Platforms and sellers that profit from European consumers must adhere to the same rules as European companies.”

… only to a minor extent
When asked how the new customs regulations have affected the handling of small shipments at Munich Airport since 01JUL2026, Head of Cargo Markus Heinelt offered an initial assessment: “Munich Airport’s existing e-commerce business has also been affected by this contraction, though only to a minor extent compared to other eCom hubs. Since the beginning of July, we’ve seen a 3.9% decrease in tonnage on the main routes from Asia, which is primarily attributable to e-commerce.” The executive went on to say: “However, our share of exports to Asia rose by just under 10.8% during this period, bringing the total tonnage on our direct flights to and from Asia in July to a 2.1% increase. The figures indicate a more balanced trade flow between China and central Europe whereas the imbalance was significantly greater just a few months ago. The coming months will show whether this trend will continue.

Looking ahead, he believes that the current dip in imports of small shipments into the EU will level off again after a transitional and stabilization phase, and that the flow of small parcels will pick up once more.

At the same time, Heinelt points out that the cargo business in Munich is broadly diversified and that e-commerce represents only one of several pillars. “With approximately 386 weekly long-haul flights to around 51 destinations worldwide, we recorded an overall tonnage increase of just under 4.7% in July. Cumulatively from January to date, we are up by approximately 4.5%,” he concludes.

Hub of belly cargo
Provided, the global economic situation remains moderately stable, MUC Cargo expects further growth in tonnage over the coming months driven by the extraordinarily strong cargo catchment area that stretches from the southern parts of Germany across Austria, the Czech Republic, the Balkan countries through northern Italy.  Heinelt points out that in the months ahead, the number of long-haul passenger flights will increase, which will lead to additional lower deck capacity on offer to the market and cement MUC’s role as hub for belly cargo. With the start of the winter schedule at the end of October, Lufthansa will increase its long-haul services to Mexico, Johannesburg, and São Paulo by adding two weekly frequenciesto each of these routes. Simultaneously, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways are increasing their service from daily to 10 flights per week to and from MUC.

Heinelt points out that the airport expects another Asian carrier to serve MUC including additional freighter services, but does not reveal any names yet.

LH and MUC benefit from long-term commitment
Munich Airport has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Lufthansa aimed at mutual growth, including plans for a terminal expansion through 2035. A key factor will be the expansion of Lufthansa’s long-haul fleet in Munich. The agreement lays the strategic groundwork for further growth in air traffic, benefitting passengers and cargo clients alike.

“The partnership with Lufthansa enables us to significantly strengthen and expand the international hub. It is a milestone in the development of the airport hub,”, states Jost Lammers, CEO of Munich Airport. Market observers believe that in addition to enhanced passenger services, the Munich-Lufthansa pact will have a positive impact on medium- and long-term cargo growth. Markus Heinelt takes a similar view: “With our current innovation projects, such as Apron AI and autonomous freight transport, we aim to ensure that we remain the ‘gateway to growth’ with the fastest cargo processes among European cargo hubs.”

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.