JUPITER SEA & AIR
SERVICES PVT. LTD, EGMORE – CHENNAI, INDIA.
E-MAIL : Robert.sands@jupiterseaair.co.in Mobile : +91 98407 85202
Corporate News
Letter for Friday August 28, 2026
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/// Sea Cargo News ///
CMA CGM
plans to increase Suez Canal transits
CMA CGM has reaffirmed plans to increase vessel transits through the Suez Canal, as the French shipping group continues to expand its use of the route.
Suez Canal Authority (SCA) Chairman Admiral
Ossama Rabiee discussed the group’s future sailing plans with Christine Cabau,
CMA CGM Executive Vice President for Assets and Operations.
Tariq Zaghloul, CMA CGM Egypt and Sudan
Cluster CEO, also participated in the meeting.
CMA CGM increases Suez Canal traffic
According to the SCA, 199 CMA CGM
vessels have transited the Suez Canal since the beginning of 2026.
Those vessels represented a combined net
tonnage of 25.2 million tons.
For comparison, 212 CMA CGM vessels used the
canal during the whole of 2025, representing 18.8 million tons of net tonnage.
Rabiee highlighted the increase as the two
sides reviewed CMA CGM’s sailing schedules through the canal for the coming
period.
He also described the relationship between
the SCA and CMA CGM as a strategic partnership.
CMA CGM commits to further return
Cabau said CMA CGM intends to accelerate the
return of its vessels to the Suez Canal.
The carrier plans to expand shipping services
using the waterway and increase the number of vessels operating through it
across its network.
“We reaffirm the Group’s commitment to
increasing transit shipping services through the canal and expanding the number
of vessels operating across its various services,” said Cabau.
The company aims to maintain the Suez Canal
as a primary corridor within its global shipping network.
The discussions come as CMA CGM vessels
increasingly return to the canal following a prolonged period of disruption to
shipping routes in the region.
Cabau also highlighted CMA CGM’s use of
alternative-fuel technology. A growing number of vessels in the group’s fleet
are capable of operating on liquefied natural gas (LNG).
CK
Hutchison seeks US$1.5 billion from Panama in treaty dispute
CK Hutchison has launched international
arbitration proceedings against Panama, seeking more than US$1.5 billion in
damages.
The Hong Kong-based conglomerate claims that
Panama breached an investment protection treaty. According to Reuters, the
company said government measures taken over the past two years had destroyed
its investments in the country.
The dispute centres on the concession
contract for the Balboa and Cristóbal ports and the subsequent takeover of the
terminals.
“The board strongly disagrees with the
measures taken by Panama in violation of the treaty,” said CK Hutchison.
Panama Canal port concessions
CK Hutchison became involved in a wider
diplomatic dispute after US President Donald Trump opposed Chinese ownership of
ports near the Panama Canal. Panama later cancelled the company’s port
concessions.
Li Ka-shing, Hong Kong’s richest man, owns CK
Hutchison.
Panama’s economy ministry and presidency did
not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
Separate arbitration proceedings continue
CK Hutchison subsidiary Panama Ports Company
(PPC) will continue pursuing separate international arbitration proceedings
against Panama.
PPC launched its case in February 2026 after
Panama’s Supreme Court annulled its licences to operate the two Panama Canal
ports.
The company had operated the Balboa and
Cristóbal terminals for nearly three decades. However, in March, PPC increased
its separate claim to more than US$2 billion.
PPC described Panama’s takeover of the
terminals and company property as illegal.
ZIM
targets Q4 closing of Hapag-Lloyd acquisition
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services said its pending acquisition by Hapag-Lloyd is targeted to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, as the companies continue to seek the required regulatory approvals.
The update was included in ZIM’s
second-quarter results released on 19 August.
The transaction remains subject to customary
closing conditions, including approvals from several regulatory authorities.
Israeli Golden Share approval remains pending
Hapag-Lloyd agreed in February to acquire ZIM
for $35 per share in cash.
ZIM’s Board of Directors unanimously approved
the transaction, while shareholders backed the deal at a special meeting on 30
April 2026.
However, regulatory approvals are still
required.
These include approval from the State
of Israel under the requirements of its Special State Share, or “Golden Share.”
ZIM said the transaction remains targeted for
completion during Q4 2026.
Hapag-Lloyd and ZIM remain independent
ZIM said the parties continue to perform
their obligations under the merger agreement and engage with the relevant
authorities to obtain the necessary approvals.
Until the acquisition closes, Hapag-Lloyd
and ZIM will remain separate and independent companies, with ZIM continuing
to operate in the ordinary course of business.
The pending transaction is also affecting
ZIM’s usual financial reporting arrangements.
The carrier said it will not hold a
conference call for its second-quarter results because of the pending
acquisition.
ZIM also noted that future dividend decisions
remain subject to its board’s discretion, Israeli law and restrictions
contained in the merger agreement with Hapag-Lloyd.
“K” Line
to begin operations at expanded Kobe container terminal
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” Line) will begin
operations at container terminals PC14-17 at the Port of Kobe on
1 September 2026.
The terminals are located on the southern
pier of the Port Island Stage 2 area. They form part of the Kobe International
Container Terminal (KICT).
The move follows preparations that began
after an agreement signed in June 2023.
KICT to handle nearly 40% of Kobe’s foreign
trade containers
“K” Line signed the basic agreement with
Kobe-Osaka International Port Corporation and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL).
The agreement covered the carrier’s
relocation to KICT. It also included the integrated use of terminal facilities
following the expansion and reinforcement of the Port Island Stage 2 terminal.
With “K” Line starting operations, KICT will
become one of Japan’s largest container terminals.
According to the company, the terminal will
handle nearly 40% of the foreign trade containers moving through the
Port of Kobe.
Map of the Kobe International Container Terminal (KICT) at the Port of Kobe
Larger containership capacity
The expanded operation is expected to
strengthen KICT’s ability to accommodate large containerships.
It should also provide more flexibility for
berth operations and improve services for transshipment cargo.
Nitto Total Logistics, a “K” Line Group
company, will be responsible for operating the facilities.
“K” Line said the group aims to provide
reliable and convenient services to shipping companies and customers through
the terminal.
The carrier also plans to respond to customer
needs related to digital transformation and environmental initiatives.
KICT includes berths PC14 through
PC17. PC14 and its adjacent yard were added to the leased area following
the expansion and development of the southern pier.
Congestion
playing a bigger role in container rates
The US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding –
signed sixty days ago and aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and
kickstarting negotiations to end the war – expired yesterday. As Iranian
attacks continue and the US blockade remains in place, a reopening is seemingly
no closer than before the agreement.
Despite the ongoing war and increased
tensions and renewed attacks in the Red Sea, Maersk – along with Hapag-Lloyd,
CMA CGM and COSCO – is determined to continue taking steps back toward resuming
Red Sea transits. While earlier threats and attacks in the waterway had led to
carrier u-turns, changed container market conditions may be behind this new
carrier resolve to return even as security concerns remain.
Linerlytica recently pointed out that even
with significant insurance premiums to cross the Bab el Mandeb, higher fuel
costs from the Hormuz closure are making diversions around the Cape of Good
Hope much more expensive than they’d been from late 2023 when diversions began
until the start of the war.
Another new motivating factor may be port
congestion that just won’t seem to go away. The current spike in congestion can
be attributed to external shocks like recent storms and drought. But even
before these developments, major ports in the Far East and especially Europe
have been plagued with higher than normal delays due to steady increases in
volumes that are pushing past port capacity levels.
Maersk recently singled out congestion as a
new and major component of container market dynamics, with growing headhaul
demand leading to a heavier headhaul/backhaul imbalance, and a growing number
of empty containers for ports to process. In terms of the Red Sea, vessel
capacity chronically tied up for long stretches at congested ports may be
incentivizing carriers to consider the shorter Red Sea route and add some speed
to a slowed-down ecosystem.
Port congestion, which now includes delays
from a labor strike in Germany, could be one factor keeping Asia – Europe
container rates higher than they otherwise would be as peak season demand
eases. Cooling volumes have brought down freight rates from their mid-July
highs on Asia – Europe lanes, as this year’s early peak season started to
unwind early too.
Asia – N. Europe prices averaged about
$5,000/FEU last week but have decreased to $4,700/FEU so far this week, down
20% and more than $1,000/FEU since the July high, but still 60% and $1,800/FEU
higher than back in May before peak season began. Asia – Mediterranean rates
dipped 4% last week but fell another $900/FEU so far this week to about
$5,000/FEU for a $2,000/FEU and 30% slide from their July peak.
Peak season demand on the transpacific,
meanwhile continues to hold up. Rates to the West Coast climbed 9% last week to
about $7,400/FEU, nearly back to its earlier high following some decrease in
the second half of July. East Coast prices increased 3% last week to a new high
of $9,400/FEU.
Container spot rates could face some upward
pressure from other sources in the coming weeks too. Bunker prices have climbed
15%since the ceasefire collapse, and some carriers will increase emergency fuel
surcharges by about $90/FEU in mid-September.
The Panama Canal Authority is taking
preemptive steps to conserve water in anticipation of serious El Nino-caused
drought later this year and into 2027. The ACP has reduced daily transits by
two, and will lower the maximum draft for Neopanamax vessels by a foot and a
half to 48 feet later this month, and 47.5 feet in early September. Some
carriers announced canal transit surcharges ranging from $200 – $1,000/FEU
starting in mid-September, which could impact freight rates for some Asia – US
East Coast volumes.
For frame of reference, the Panama Canal last
faced significant low water levels for about a year starting in May 2023. At
its lowest, draft restrictions were set at 44 feet and daily transits were
reduced to 22 from a norm of about 36. Higher costs and longer waits meant that
some carriers adjusted relevant services to avoid the canal, relying instead on
transhipment from one coast of Panama to the other. Some of the West Coast
volume increases during that stretch may have also been driven by those restrictions.
Air cargo rates out of China increased last
week, possibly driven by disruptions to air operations from the recent typhoon.
Freightos Air Index data show China – N. America prices up 17% to more than
$7.00/kg last week, though rates have eased to about $6.50/kg so far this week.
China – Europe rates climbed 8% to $4.45/kg last week and have decreased
slightly since then. China – Europe operations have faced slumping volumes as
the EU de minimis cancellation has reduced e-commerce demand on this lane, though
carrier capacity shifts have prevented a sharp rate drop.
/// Air Cargo News ///
Reuters: A350 freighter test flights
set for September
The
first flight of Airbus’ next-generation A350 freighter is set to take place
towards the end of September, according to Reuters.
Quoting
industry sources, the newswire said the airframer is hopeful the first flight
will take place on around 24 September, although there is always the chance
that technical issues or inclement weather could push that date back into
October.
In
response to questions from Air Cargo News, Airbus said: “The maiden
flight is expected later in 2026, followed by the first delivery in the second
half of 2027.”
Airbus
is hoping to start to deliver the aircraft to customers by the end of next
year, which would give it a maximum of 14 months to gain certification for the
model.
The
company is targeting simultaneous certification from EASA and the FAA under the
latest Amendment 27 safety regulations.
The
airframer said earlier this year that certification
is targeted by the middle of next year.
“The
certification basis has been agreed several years ago with both authorities.
Means of compliance to the requirements have been agreed as well,” Joel Rocker,
chief engineer for the A350F said in April.
Airbus
has been targeting late September as the date for the first test flight for a
while.
Back
in April, Rocker said that the first test flight of its two test aircraft
was expected
to be in September or October.
Meanwhile,
in July, Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury recently gave
a short update on
the next-generation freighter programme during its second-quarter results call.
Faury
confirmed that the airline was expecting test flights to start before the end
of the year and deliveries to start next year.
“We
expect the first flight before the end of this year, which means the start of
flight tests immediately and a very dense flight test programme, targeting
certification and first delivery, ideally by the end of next year. The ramp-up,
so delivery of aircraft in rather significant numbers, as soon as 2028.”
In
February last year, Airbus pushed back the
entry-into-service date for the A350F to the second half of 2027,
from its earlier expectation of 2026.
In
a progress update earlier this month, Airbus said it is preparing
to carry out flight vibration tests, known as “flutter tests” on its A350
freighters.
These
tests will be conducted during the first three months of the flight test
campaign.
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.
beOnd, Aeroprime signs MoU for India
cargo operations
Premium leisure airline beOnd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Aeroprime Group to explore the appointment of Aeroprime as its Cargo General Sales and Service Agent (GSSA) in India.
The
agreement marks a step in beOnd’s strategy to expand its presence in India, one
of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, while developing its wider
cargo ecosystem. Aeroprime brings experience in managing cargo operations for
international airlines, along with expertise in the Indian air cargo market and
established industry relationships.
The
proposed cargo partnership will complement beOnd’s expanding passenger
operations and support the airline’s broader strategy to develop a diversified
aviation platform across key international markets. Tero Taskila, Chief
Executive Officer of beOnd, said, “India is one of our highest-priority
markets, and cargo is central to building a sustainable ecosystem within our
AOCs.
In
India, we've appointed Aeroprime as our partner who already knows this market
inside out, so we start from a position of strength rather than learning as we
go."
“beOnd
has introduced a distinctive premium proposition to the aviation market, and we
look forward to working closely with the company as it develops its ecosystem
and cargo strategy for India. We are confident our experience and market
expertise will help support beOnd's long-term ambitions in the region,” said
Abhishek Goyal, Executive Director & CEO of the Group.
The
MoU positions Aeroprime Group as beOnd’s cargo representative in India,
strengthening the airline’s presence as it progresses with its broader
expansion plans in the market. beOnd describes itself as the world’s first
premium leisure airline, offering an elevated travel experience focused on comfort
and personalised service.
The
airline operates an all-premium fleet of Airbus A320-family aircraft, featuring
lie-flat seats, tailored service and luxury-focused amenities. Through
scheduled and bespoke services, beOnd connects more than 80 destinations across
45 countries, aiming to provide a seamless and refined travel experience.
Skyward Airlines launches four weekly
direct Nairobi-Garissa flights
Skyward Airlines has launched four weekly direct scheduled flights between Kenya's Garissa and Wilson Airport, strengthening passenger and cargo connectivity across North Eastern Kenya. BySTAT Times|13 Aug 2026 8:30 PM Skyward Airlines has launched scheduled direct flights between Nairobi's Wilson Airport and Garissa, strengthening air connectivity to North Eastern Kenya and opening new opportunities for trade, tourism and investment in the region.
In
an official social media post, Skyward Airlines announced that the new direct
service will operate four times weekly — Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Flights will depart Wilson Airport at 11:00 a.m. and arrive in Garissa at 11:50
a.m. The new route provides direct connectivity to one of Kenya's
fastest-growing regional economies.
Garissa
is also an important hub for trade, humanitarian work, devolution and
cross-border commerce with Somalia and North Eastern Kenya at large. Speaking
ahead of the launch, Diana Nyambura, CEO at Skyward Airlines, said, “Opening
Garissa is more than a new route - it’s a commitment to bringing North Eastern
Kenya closer to the rest of the country. Skywards exists to connect communities
that have been underserved by air travel and Garissa is a proud example of the
mission in action.”
Beyond
passenger travel, Skyward Airlines said the route will strengthen its cargo
capability, offering faster movement of goods, produce and time-sensitive
shipments between Nairobi and Garissa County. Garissa air connectivity The
launch follows recent works at Garissa Airstrip, which have enhanced the
facility's infrastructure and operational readiness, according to the Kenya
Airports Authority (KAA).
The
inaugural flight was attended by Garissa County Governor Nathif Jama Adam,
alongside Moses Wekesa, MD/CEO, Kenya Airports Authority, and Samson Karau,
IAP, Acting Director, Air Transport, Ministry of Roads and Transport,
representing Teresia Mbaika, Principal Secretary, State Department for Aviation
and Aerospace Development, among other aviation stakeholders.
The
introduction of the scheduled direct service is expected to improve
accessibility to Garissa, facilitate the movement of people and goods, and
contribute to the growth of tourism, trade, investment and wider socio-economic
activity in the region.
Skyward
Airlines' wider network The Garissa service adds to Skyward Airlines' scheduled
network across Kenya and Tanzania, with connections from both Jomo Kenyatta
International Airport (JKIA) and Wilson Airport. From JKIA, the airline
operates daily flights to Mombasa, Malindi, Lamu, Lodwar and Eldoret, as well
as five weekly flights to Dar es Salaam.
From
Wilson Airport, Skyward Airlines operates daily flights to Diani (Ukanda) and
Kitale, two weekly flights to Vipingo River on Fridays and Sundays, four weekly
flights to Migori on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and four
weekly flights to Garissa on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
The
airline also operates additional flights from Wilson to Lodwar. Skyward
Airlines also operates daily flights from JKIA to Moi International Airport in
Mombasa. Also Read - National Airlines adds fourth Boeing 777 freighter Cargo
and parcel services Skyward Airlines offers cargo and parcel shipping services
across its network, with standard capacity of up to 350 kg per shipment.
The
service covers commercial goods, urgent supplies and personal items. However,
the airline does not transport dangerous goods that could endanger the
aircraft, passengers or property, or items that are prone to damage during air
transport.
Its
restricted categories include hazardous materials such as flammables,
explosives, toxins and corrosives, as well as prohibited items including
ammunition, fireworks, lithium batteries, pyrotechnics, compressed gases and
flammable liquids. The addition of direct Garissa flights therefore provides an
additional air cargo connection for businesses and other customers seeking to
move goods between Nairobi and North Eastern Kenya.
Westjet Cargo inks two new Indian GSA
deals
Westjet Cargo is strengthening its presence in the Indian market through two new Cargo GSA partnerships. Airline Services International (ASI) working in coordination with Rainbow Aviation Private Limited, will focus on key cargo markets including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana and Goa.
These
strategic partnerships will strengthen WS Cargo’s reach across India and
enhance our ability to deliver seamless, reliable and customer-focused cargo
solutions. “We look forward to building stronger connections across India and
creating new opportunities for our customers and partners”, said an official
spokesperson from Rainbow Aviation.
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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