JUPITER SEA & AIR
SERVICES PVT. LTD, EGMORE – CHENNAI, INDIA.
E-MAIL : Robert.sands@jupiterseaair.co.in Mobile : +91 98407 85202
Corporate News
Letter for Monday September 21, 2026
Today’s
Exchange Rates
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95.77 |
-0.170006 |
-0.1772 |
95.70 |
95.94 |
95.70 - 95.78 |
|
|
1.1485 |
0.0009 |
0.078417 |
1.1476 |
1.1476 |
1.1474 - 1.1492 |
|
|
128.0409 |
-0.4496 |
-0.349909 |
127.931 |
128.4905 |
127.9246 - 128.0742 |
|
|
110.0182 |
-0.043297 |
-0.039339 |
109.9177 |
110.0615 |
109.9115 - 110.0288 |
|
|
157.24 |
1.270004 |
0.814262 |
155.97 |
155.97 |
155.877 - 157.269 |
|
|
1.3367 |
0.0008 |
0.059886 |
1.3359 |
1.3359 |
1.3353 - 1.3376 |
|
|
0.6098 |
-0.0079 |
-1.278938 |
0.6152 |
0.6177 |
100.192 - 100.298 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.6093 - 0.6153 |
/// Sea Cargo News ///
Oman Ship Attack
Leaves One Indian Seafarer Missing, 13 Rescued
One Indian seafarer remains missing after a ship was attacked off the coast of Oman, while 13 Indian crew members have been rescued, according to Indian authorities. India has condemned the attack and expressed concern over the safety of the crew.
Search and rescue efforts are continuing to
locate the missing seafarer. The incident has renewed concerns over maritime
security in waters around Oman and the wider region, where commercial vessels
and seafarers have faced heightened risks from attacks and other security
incidents.
The rescued Indian crew members are being
provided assistance following the incident. Indian authorities are coordinating
with relevant agencies and local authorities to monitor the situation and
support the affected seafarers.
The attack highlights the continuing security
challenges faced by merchant vessels operating along strategically important
shipping routes in the region. Any disruption or threat to commercial shipping
can have wider implications for vessel operations, crew safety and regional
supply chains.
India has reiterated the importance of
protecting civilian shipping and ensuring the safety of seafarers operating in
international waters.
Authorities are expected to continue search
operations for the missing crew members while investigating the circumstances
surrounding the attack.
V.O. Chidambaranar
Port Handles Its Longest-Ever Container Vessel at TICT
V.O. Chidambaranar Port has set a new benchmark in container vessel handling with the berthing of M.V. CMA CGM THORIUM, a 335.23-metre-long, 13,000-TEU-class vessel, at the Tuticorin International Container Terminal (TICT).
The vessel is the longest container ship ever
to berth at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, surpassing the previous record of 304
metres set by M.V. MSC Michaela in December 2025.
The new benchmark represents an increase of
more than 31 metres in the maximum vessel length handled by the Port within
nine months. The achievement follows a series of marine infrastructure and
navigational upgrades undertaken by the Port.
The permissible draft has been increased to
14.2 metres, the turning circle widened from 488 metres to 550 metres, and two
additional tugs have been inducted to strengthen marine operations.
M.V.CMA CGM THORIUM has a beam of 51 meters
and arrived at the Port with a draft of 13.5 meters. The vessel, capable of
operating on methanol as well as conventional marine fuel, arrived from Santos-Brazil
and will proceed to Singapore as its next port of call.
During its call at V.O. Chidambaranar Port,
the vessel is scheduled to handle 3,276 TEUs, comprising 1,324 TEUs of import
cargo and 1,952 TEUs of restow cargo.
The vessel is being handled at TICT, which
has an annual capacity of 6 lakh TEUs, a 370 meter quay, 14.2 meter permissible
draft, three quay cranes, a 10 hectare backup area and 126 reefer points.
BTL Launches South
India Service, Boosting Sri Lanka–South India Connectivity
Bengal Tiger Line (BTL) has launched its new South India Service (SIS), strengthening direct maritime connectivity between Sri Lanka and southern India while expanding its intra-regional shipping network.
The weekly service will operate on a fixed
rotation of Colombo – New Mangalore – Cochin – Colombo, deploying a 1,100-TEU
BTL-operated vessel. The service is designed to provide reliable and direct
container connections between Sri Lanka and key South Indian markets.
Developed and deployed by BTL and supported
by its established regional cargo base, SIS will give the carrier greater
operational control while offering customers enhanced schedule reliability,
flexibility and connectivity.
The new service is also expected to
strengthen feeder connectivity through Colombo, providing South Indian cargo
with improved access to major international trade lanes and global shipping
networks serving the Indian Subcontinent.
BTL said the launch reflects its strategy of
investing in vessel operated regional services to meet growing demand for
dependable and flexible shipping solutions. The service will also support
increasing bilateral trade and cargo movements between Sri Lanka and South
india.
SIS Service Details:
Rotation: Colombo → New Mangalore → Cochin → Colombo. Frequency: Weekly.
Vessel capacity: 1,100 TEU.
Vessel operator : Bengal Tiger Line
CU Lines
to join Straits–Northeast India service
China United Lines (CU Lines) will begin taking slots on the Straits–Bengal–Straits (SBS) service in October 2026.
The service is operated by Transworld Group’s
Singapore-based units Straits Orient Lines and BLPL.
CU Lines will also market the connection
under the SBS service code.
The service connects Malaysia with Northeast
India through the following rotation:
Port Klang – Kolkata –
Haldia – Port Klang.
Hapag-Lloyd
and Maersk return four Gemini services to Red Sea route
Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk will reroute four Gemini Cooperation services through the Red Sea and Suez Canal following an assessment of the region’s security situation.
The NE4, SE1, SE2 and IEX services will
transition from the Cape of Good Hope route to the shorter Red Sea passage.
First westbound sailings
|
Service |
Vessel |
Voyage |
Last call before Suez |
Departure |
|
SE2 |
Antonia Maersk |
635W |
Tanjung Pelepas |
19 September 2026 |
|
IEX |
Cornelia Maersk |
638W |
Colombo |
19 September 2026 |
|
NE4 |
Marchen Maersk |
635W |
Tanjung Pelepas |
21 September 2026 |
First eastbound sailings
|
Service |
Vessel |
Voyage |
Last call before Suez |
Departure |
|
NE4 |
Maastricht Maersk |
637E |
Algeciras |
22 September 2026 |
|
SE2 |
Maersk Halifax |
637E |
Vado Ligure |
28 September 2026 |
|
IEX |
Cornelia Maersk |
643E |
Tangier |
31 October 2026 |
The carriers will announce the first SE1
sailing at a later stage.
According to Hapag-Lloyd, the Red Sea route
provides a more efficient connection and shorter transport options for cargo
moving between Asia and Europe.
Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk will continue
monitoring the security situation and may introduce further changes if
conditions develop.
German
port workers reject wage offer as indefinite strike vote begins
German port workers have rejected the latest wage offer from employers, pushing the labour dispute at the country’s major seaports into a new and potentially more disruptive phase.
More than 5,500 port workers participated in
the consultation conducted by the United Services Trade Union (ver.di), with
64.7% voting against the latest proposal.
Following the rejection, ver.di will now
launch a membership consultation under the conditions of a formal strike
ballot, which will run until the evening of 1 October 2026.
The development raises the prospect of
indefinite industrial action at Germany’s major seaports if sufficient support
is secured.
The collective bargaining dispute covers
around 11,000 employees at tariff-bound port companies in Hamburg, Bremerhaven,
Bremen, Wilhelmshaven, Emden and Brake.
Latest wage offer rejected
The rejected proposal followed the fourth
round of negotiations between ver.di and the Central Association of German
Seaport Operators (ZDS).
Under the 12-month option considered by union
members, employers offered a 3.4% wage increase, retroactive to 1 August 2026,
together with additional payments.
The proposal also included an additional €416
allowance for employees at full-container operations and €200 in additional
holiday pay.
ZDS had also proposed an alternative 18-month
package offering a 5.1% wage increase, a guaranteed increase of €1.20 per hour,
an additional €616 container-sector allowance and higher holiday pay.
The employers had previously criticized
ver.di for putting only the 12-month option to its members.
Ver.di’s original demand includes an 8.2%
increase in hourly wages, or at least €2.50 more per hour, under a 12-month
collective agreement.
Vote could pave way for indefinite strikes
Following the rejection of the latest offer,
the dispute is now moving into the process that ver.di had warned could follow
if workers voted against the proposal.
The union will conduct a membership
consultation until the evening of 1 October under the conditions of a formal
strike ballot.
If at least 75% of participating members vote
against the employers’ offer and support indefinite industrial action, ver.di’s
Federal Collective Bargaining Commission will consider declaring the
negotiations unsuccessful and initiating indefinite strikes.
Such action would represent a significant
escalation from the warning strikes staged during the dispute so far.
German port workers have already carried out
two rounds of warning strikes.
The most recent action included a 48-hour
strike that affected Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Bremen, Wilhelmshaven, Emden and
Brake in early September.
At the Port of Hamburg, the action affected
major container facilities, including HHLA’s terminals at Altenwerder,
Burchardkai and Tollerort, as well as the Eurogate container terminal.
Further industrial action of indefinite
duration could have significantly broader implications for vessel handling,
container terminal operations and inland cargo flows through Germany’s major
seaport gateways.
Attention will now turn to the 1 October
deadline, which could determine whether the dispute moves towards renewed
negotiations or escalates into indefinite strike action.
China
opens Pinglu Canal, launching new shipping gateway to ASEAN
China has officially opened the Pinglu Canal, establishing a new direct waterway between the country’s southwestern inland regions and the Beibu Gulf and creating a shorter maritime gateway towards Southeast Asia.
The 134.2-kilometre canal officially opened
to navigation on 16 September, following construction that began in August
2022.
The project, which represents an investment
of approximately RMB72.7 billion (US$10.2 billion), runs from Pingtangjiangkou
in Hengzhou, Nanning, through Luwu in Qinzhou before following the Qinjiang
River into the Beibu Gulf.
Built to China’s Class I inland waterway
standard, the Pinglu Canal can accommodate vessels of up to 5,000 tonnes.
First shipping routes begin operations
The opening was accompanied by the launch of
two direct river-sea shipping services.
According to Xinhua, the Nanning Port–Can Tho
Port route connecting China with Vietnam and the Nanning Port–Yangpu Port
domestic route began their maiden voyages on the same day as the canal’s
opening.
The international service provides a new
direct connection between inland Guangxi and Vietnam through the Beibu Gulf,
strengthening the canal’s role as a transport corridor between southwestern
China and ASEAN markets.
The canal connects the Xijiang River system
with the Beibu Gulf, allowing cargo from Nanning and other inland areas to
reach the sea without following the considerably longer existing inland route
towards ports further east.
Chinese authorities estimate that cargo from
southwestern China moving through the Pinglu Canal can shorten its inland
journey to the sea by more than 560 kilometres compared with routing via
Guangzhou.
Canal begins one-year trial operation
While the canal has officially opened, the
initial operating phase will run under a one-year trial arrangement.
The Guangxi Pinglu Canal Management Center
confirmed that trial navigation runs from 16 September 2026 until 15 September
2027.
The operational section extends from
Pingtangjiangkou in the Xijin reservoir area of Hengzhou to the starting point
of Qinzhou Port’s eastern navigation channel, covering the canal’s full
134.2-kilometre length.
Different sections have navigable water
depths of between 6.3 and 6.5 metres, while channel widths range from 80 to 100
metres.
Three major navigation complexes — Madao,
Qishi and Qingnian — control the substantial elevation difference along the
route.
Each is equipped with Class I double-line
ship locks capable of handling 5,000-tonne vessels. The lock chambers have
effective dimensions of 300 metres in length, 34 metres in width and eight
metres in minimum sill depth.
The Guangxi authorities have confirmed that
the locks are designed to operate 24 hours a day, except during suspensions
caused by maintenance, extreme weather, flooding, emergencies or other
navigation restrictions.
River-sea operations target lower logistics
costs
One of the most significant operational
changes associated with the canal is the development of direct river-sea
shipping.
Authorities have established arrangements
allowing qualifying inland vessels to reach seaport terminals at Qinzhou,
reducing the need for additional cargo transfers between inland and coastal
vessels.
Ahead of the opening, Guangxi authorities
said more than 570 vessels had already met the requirements to navigate the
canal, while 681 captains and navigation officers had obtained the necessary
Pinglu Canal route endorsements.
Infrastructure on both the river and sea
sides has also been adapted to support river-sea intermodal operations, with
authorities estimating available handling capacity of more than 16 million
tonnes.
Guangxi expects the new corridor to reduce
overall logistics costs for relevant cargo flows by between 18% and 30%, while
annual transport cost savings could exceed RMB5 billion.
New gateway for southwestern China
The Pinglu Canal forms a core component of
China’s New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, which connects inland
western and southwestern provinces with ports along the Beibu Gulf.
Its opening potentially expands the
hinterland of Beibu Gulf ports by providing another transport option for cargo
originating in Guangxi and neighbouring inland regions.
The canal is also designed to complement
existing rail and road connections rather than operate solely as an inland
waterway. Guangxi is developing river-sea transfers and rail-water-sea
intermodal services to attract cargo from a wider hinterland.
Authorities have been working with shipping
companies, logistics providers and cargo owners across Guangxi as well as
inland regions including Yunnan and Chongqing ahead of the opening.
The new waterway is expected to strengthen
connections between southwestern China, the Beibu Gulf and ASEAN markets, with
the launch of the Nanning–Can Tho service providing the first direct
international route accompanying the canal’s entry into operation.
General
Average declared after CMA CGM Petra fire
General Average has been declared following
the cargo hold fire aboard the CMA CGM Petra, with cargo interests now
required to provide security before their cargo can be released.
Marine claims specialist W K Webster said it
had been advised that the shipowners declared General Average due to
extraordinary costs incurred to protect the vessel and cargo following the
casualty.
The development follows a fire aboard the
containership on 23 August while it was sailing through the Strait of Malacca.
The fire was initially contained by the crew.
However, professional salvors were subsequently required to assist with
firefighting and salvage operations.
No crew injuries or pollution were reported.
Cargo interests required to provide security
The General Average declaration means cargo
interests will need to provide the required security before their cargo can be
released.
W K Webster said it is working with the
appointed Average Adjusters to establish the form and wording of the required
securities.
The marine claims specialist is also
arranging for a fire expert to attend the vessel and investigate the cause and
origin of the fire.
Under General Average, extraordinary costs or
sacrifices incurred to protect a vessel and its cargo from a common maritime
danger can ultimately be shared among the interests involved.
The declaration does not mean that every
container aboard the vessel was damaged. Instead, cargo interests may be
required to provide guarantees or other security while the General Average
adjustment process is carried out.
Around 450 containers discharged at Port
Klang
Following the incident, the CMA CGM Petra
moved to Port Klang, Malaysia, where approximately 450 containers were
scheduled to be discharged for inspection, according to W K Webster.
Separately, W.E. Cox Claims Group reported on
14 September that at least 450 containers were being discharged for inspection.
At that stage, W.E. Cox said General Average
was likely to be declared and identified Albatross Adjusters Limited as the
appointed average adjuster.
The company also reported that SMIT Salvage
had been appointed to assist with firefighting and salvage operations.
CMA CGM issued earlier customer advisory
The CMA CGM Petra was operating on CMA
CGM’s KILIMA service, connecting Asian ports with destinations in East Africa.
CMA CGM issued a second customer advisory
concerning the vessel on 9 September, identifying the affected voyage as
0K13NW1MA.
W.E. Cox said the 2024-built, French-flagged
containership was sailing from Singapore towards Lamu, Kenya, when the fire
occurred. The KILIMA rotation also includes Colombo, Mombasa and Dar es Salaam.
The cause of the fire has not yet been
established.
/// Air Cargo News ///
Kuwait Airways
Refutes Air Cargo Suspension Reports
Kuwait Airways has denied reports claiming that it has suspended its air cargo operations, saying cargo services continue in accordance with approved operational procedures.
The
national carrier said its air cargo operations remain active and are being
conducted in coordination with the relevant authorities.
The
airline also rejected reports suggesting that safety concerns had prompted a
suspension of cargo services. Kuwait Airways said its cargo operations continue
to comply with applicable safety and security standards.
The
clarification comes after reports circulated suggesting that the airline had
halted cargo activities. The airline urged customers and the public to rely on
official information regarding the status of its cargo services and not on
unverified reports.
Kuwait
Airways continues to maintain cargo handling facilities at Kuwait International
Airport, supporting the movement of general freight, perishables, refrigerated
cargo, dangerous goods and other shipments. Its cargo facility operates around
the clock for import and export shipments.
The
clarification provides reassurance to shippers, freight forwarders and other
cargo customers relying on Kuwait Airways for air freight movements amid
ongoing operational challenges in the region.
Northern Air Cargo
Adds 737-800 Freighter to Fleet
Northern Air Cargo has expanded its freighter fleet with the addition of a Boeing 737-800 freighter, strengthening its capacity to handle cargo across its network.
The
aircraft adds narrowbody freighter capacity to the carrier’s fleet and is
expected to support cargo operations on routes where demand for flexible and
efficient air freight services is growing.
The
737-800 freighter is well suited to short- and medium-haul cargo operations,
offering carriers the ability to serve regional markets with comparatively
lower operating costs than larger freighters.
For
Northern Air Cargo, the aircraft provides additional capacity to support
customers requiring reliable transportation for time-sensitive and general
cargo. The fleet addition comes as air cargo operators continue to adjust
capacity to changing shipment volumes and regional trade flows.
Northern
Air Cargo’s expanded freighter fleet is expected to provide greater operational
flexibility while supporting the Airline’s cargo network and its role in
service Alaska and other markets.
UAE Airline Flies
153,000 Tonnes of Indian Exports
A UAE-based airline transported 153,000 tonnes of Indian export cargo during the last financial year, highlighting the growing role of air freight in India’s international trade. The airline’s cargo operations have supported the movement of Indian goods to overseas markets, connecting exporters with destinations across the Middle East and beyond.
The
volume reflects the importance of reliable air freight services for Indian
exporters, particularly those handling time-sensitive and high-value products.
Air cargo provides faster connections for goods that require shorter transit
times, helping exporters reach international markets efficiently.
The
UAE serves as an important aviation and logistics hub connecting India with
global markets. Its airlines and cargo infrastructure support trade flows
between India, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and other destinations.
The
transportation of 153,000 tonnes of Indian exports underlines the contribution
of UAE based air cargo networks to India’s export logistics.
As
Indian merchandise exports expand, efficient air freight connections are
expected to remain important for improving market access and supporting
international trade.
Cathay Cargo to add transpacific
freighter capacity as peak approaches
Cathay
Cargo will add more transpacific freighter capacity from this month to cater
for growth in technology-related shipments as the peak season approaches.
In
Cathay Cargo’s latest ‘From the Main Deck’ newsletter, Jonathan Ng, head of
cargo hub operations & development, said that transpacific trade had been
fuelled by growth in semiconductor and data-centre equipment shipments.
He
said: “Cargo demand has remained positive over the summer, particularly due to
growth in semiconductor and data-centre equipment shipments from across Asia to
our transpacific markets.”
“The
first priority is getting the balance between demand and capacity right,” Ng
added. “We’re adding additional freighter capacity to the Americas from this
month to meet current demand and support further growth during the peak.”
Last
month, Cathay reported that semiconductor and lithium battery shipments had
helped grow year on year
volumes in July.
In
addition to sustained transpacific trade, Cathay Cargo has also seen increasing
volumes of lithium battery shipments from northeast Asia and the Greater Bay
Area passing through its Hong Kong hub.
The
upcoming addition of a leased Airbus A330 passenger to freighter (P2F)
aircraft, which is currently undergoing conversion in Shanghai, will support
Cathay Pacific subsidiary Air Hong Kong to meet regional demand for general
cargo.
Cathay
Cargo is also working on improving its specialist shipment solutions,
especially with regards to safety.
Ng
said the airline had “been working closely with shippers and forwarders to
ensure that our checklists align with their requirements for the increasing
volumes of AI chips, server racks, vibration-sensitive wafer steppers”.
Turkey-based cargo handler included in
US sanctions list
The
US has included Turkey-based cargo handler S Sistem Logistics in its sanctions
related to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The
handler said it had “learned with regret” that it has been included in the
current sanctions list published by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office
of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
The
company said that the decision was linked to “indirect operational processes”
at its cargo handling warehouse where goods for Iranian airline Mahan Air were
handled.
“First
of all, it must be stated that the reports published in the press — claiming
that our company coordinated the shipment of unmanned aerial vehicle components
to Iran on behalf of Mahan Air — are completely baseless,” the handler stated.
The
company said that it conducts are operations in accordance with all relevant
laws and regulations.
“The
storage of all goods placed in our company’s temporary storage area is managed
entirely based on package and weight details, irrespective of the goods’
contents; furthermore, in compliance with regulations, we do not possess the
right or authority to inspect the contents or handle the goods without the
permission of the Customs administration,” S Sistems explained.
It
added: “Consequently, in line with our corporate values and business ethics,
no illegal or unethical actions have been — or could possibly be
— permitted at any stage of our commercial operations.”
The
company said that it has since terminated operations with the airline and is in
the process of applying to be delisted from the sanctions.
“All
operations—including the storage of any goods potentially associated with the
airline company (Mahan Air) cited as the basis for the decision—as well as all
logistics, warehousing, and operational activities (whether direct or indirect)
involving any persons or parties linked to said company, have been immediately
and permanently terminated as of September 9, 2026.”
“Our
company will maintain its commitment to transparency in all operations
conducted within the framework of legal trade and transit logistics
regulations, and will resolutely take all necessary legal steps to rectify this
unjust situation.”
According
to its website, S Sistems is Turkey’s first private ground handling warehouse
operator.
The
sanctions are part of US efforts to ground Iranian airlines, with a total of 36
entites included, mainly airlines but also GSSAs. Also included is Mes Cargo,
Icargo and Tour Invest.
Leading air cargo verticals see demand
levels diverge
E-commerce
and AI data centre-related volumes have been fuelling air cargo demand growth
over recent years, but the performance of the two verticals has increasingly
diverged over recent months.
Speaking
at this week’s EU Cross-Border E-Commerce Forum in Liege, Aevean head of
consulting Maarten Wormer highlighted the rapid growth of demand for data
centre-related air imports.
Over
the first seven months of the year, he said, data centre volumes into the US
were up by 103% year on year and reached 107,000 tonnes in July – the
equivalent to 1,000 freighter flights.
Drilling
further into the segment, Wormer said that over the seven-month period, US air
imports of network equipment were up 130% year on year, there was a 37%
increase in power infrastructure, computer components increased 86% and servers
were up 181%.
In
contrast, e-commerce volumes from China to the European Union declined by 29%
year on year in July following the introduction of a €3 charge for low-value
package imports.
The
volume decline to France had started in March when volumes dropped by 30% as it
introduced its own charge in anticipation of the EU levy, Wormer said. In July,
e-commerce volumes into France had declined by 64%.
Despite
the decline in China-Europe e-commerce demand, Wormer said that the overall air
cargo market had been growing this year.
Aevean
figures show that over the first seven months of 2026, air cargo volumes are up
5.8% year on year, primarily led by Asia Pacific to North America volumes,
which have increased by 24% on 2025 levels.
Meanwhile,
volumes from Asia Pacific to Europe had increased by 4% year on year.
Intra-Asia volumes had improved by 8% and there was also an 8% improvement from
Asia Pacific to South America.
The
trade lane to record the largest fall in demand was Asia Pacific to the Middle
East as a result of the ongoing US-Iran conflict.
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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