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

 

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

 

 

Corporate News Letter for Saturday  September 05,  2026

               

Today’s Exchange Rates


Currency

Price

Change

%Change

Open

Prev.Close

Day's Low-High

USD/INR

94.4875

-0.012497

-0.013224

94.46

94.50

94.4575 - 94.4975

EUR/USD

1.1627

0.0001

0.008603

1.1626

1.1626

1.1623 - 1.1633

GBP/INR

127.8463

0.302002

0.236782

127.8244

127.5443

127.7798 - 127.8703

EUR/INR

109.8417

0.179901

0.164051

109.8417

109.6618

109.7982 - 109.8683

USD/JPY

156.299

0.488998

0.313843

155.81

155.81

155.294 - 156.453

GBP/USD

1.3532

0.0007

0.051756

1.3525

1.3525

1.3523 - 1.3537

JPY/INR

0.6044

-0.0033

-0.543033

0.6064

0.6077

0.604 - 0.608



///                   Sea Cargo News            ///

Sea-Intelligence: Carrier financials recover in Q2 2026


The container shipping industry showed strong signs of financial recovery during the second quarter of 2026, according to Sea-Intelligence.

Reporting container carriers recorded significant annual increases in combined revenue, operating profit and transported volumes.

Carrier revenue reaches US$43.4 billion

The reporting shipping lines generated combined revenue of US$43.4 billion during the second quarter.

This represented an increase of 15.9% compared with the same period in 2025.

Eight carriers that published earnings before interest and taxes reported combined EBIT of US$2.69 billion.

Their combined operating profit increased by 58.2% from US$1.70 billion in the second quarter of 2025.

“The 2026-Q2 financial data underscores a significant positive turnaround in industry profitability,” said Alan Murphy, CEO of Sea-Intelligence.

Financial measure

Q2 2026

Q2 2025

Annual change

Combined revenue

US$43.4 billion

+15.9%

Combined EBIT

US$2.69 billion

US$1.70 billion

+58.2%

Global container volumes increase

All six carriers that had reported their global volume figures recorded year-on-year growth during the quarter.

Combined transported volumes across the same group of carriers increased by 4.7%.

OOCL achieved the highest growth, with its global volumes increasing by 8.8%.

CMA CGM followed with growth of 6%, while ONE recorded the lowest increase at 2.9%.

None of the reporting carriers achieved double-digit global volume growth.

Sea-Intelligence noted that second-quarter volume figures for COSCO Shipping Lines, HMM and Yang Ming were not yet available.

                                  Source:Sea-Intelligence

Transpacific volumes rise by 8.9%

Growth on the major east-west trade lanes supported the increase in global container volumes.

Transpacific volumes increased by 8.9% compared with the second quarter of 2025.

Asia-Europe volumes rose by 4.9% over the same period.

“These volume figures suggest that the market has regained a solid footing following last year’s disruptions,” said Murphy.

Global schedule reliability falls to 56.4% in July

                  Cosco Shipping Aries / Source: VesselFinder

Global container shipping schedule reliability fell sharply in July 2026, according to the latest Global Liner Performance report from Sea-Intelligence.

Schedule reliability declined by 6.1 percentage points from June to 56.4%.

This was the lowest level recorded in 2026 and the weakest result since February 2025.

Compared with July 2025, global schedule reliability declined by 8.8 percentage points.

Vessel delays rise to 6.06 days


The average delay for late vessel arrivals increased by 0.59 days from the previous month to 6.06 days.

This was the highest average delay recorded during 2026 and the highest level since January 2024.

The July result was also 1.34 days higher than one year earlier.

Performance measure

July 2026

Monthly change

Annual change

Schedule reliability

56.4%

-6.1 percentage points

-8.8 percentage points

Average delay for late arrivals

6.06 days

+0.59 days

+1.34 days

Maersk leads carrier reliability

Maersk was the most reliable among the 13 largest carriers in July, recording schedule reliability of 73.7%.

The carrier was the only one to achieve reliability above 70%.

Hapag-Lloyd ranked second with 69.3% and was the only carrier in the 60% to 70% range.

Five of the remaining carriers recorded schedule reliability between 50% and 60%.

Wan Hai was the least reliable carrier, with schedule reliability of 29.8%.

All major carriers record monthly declines

None of the 13 largest carriers improved their schedule reliability from the previous month.

MSC recorded the steepest monthly decline at 11.9 percentage points.

None of the carriers achieved year-on-year improvement either.

Wan Hai posted the largest annual decline, with its schedule reliability falling by 24.4 percentage points from July 2025.

The findings appear in issue 180 of Sea-Intelligence’s Global Liner Performance report.

The full report covers schedule reliability across 34 trade lanes and more than 60 container carriers.

Hapag-Lloyd announces Golden Week sailing adjustments


Hapag-Lloyd has announced sailing adjustments on services from the Far East to North America during China’s Golden Week period.

The changes affect services connecting Asia with the west and east coasts of North America.

WC2 sailing adjustment

The WC2 service will not offer the sailing of Guthorm Maersk, voyage 640E, from Shanghai.

The vessel was scheduled to depart Shanghai on 10 October 2026 during week 40.

Hapag-Lloyd said the Xingang-Qingdao-Pusan rotation would remain in place.

Service

Vessel and voyage

Port of loading

Week

Scheduled departure

WC2

Guthorm Maersk V.640E

Shanghai

40

10 October 2026

US2 sailing omitted

The US2 service will omit the sailing of Navios Unison, voyage 641E, from Ningbo.

The departure was scheduled for 7 October 2026 during week 41.

Hapag-Lloyd will provide alternative coverage through the US1 service.

Maersk Shams will depart Haiphong on 2 October 2026 and make an additional call at Norfolk.

Service

Vessel and voyage

Port of loading

Week

Scheduled departure

US2

Navios Unison V.641E

Ningbo

41

7 October 2026

AA7 sailing cancelled

The AA7 service will not offer the sailing of Wan Hai A13 from Ningbo.

The departure was scheduled for 1 October 2026 during week 40.

Service

Vessel

Port of loading

Week

Scheduled departure

AA7

Wan Hai A13

Ningbo

40

1 October 2026

Georgia Ports schedules Savannah terminal system update


The Georgia Ports Authority will update the Savannah Terminal Operating System on Labor Day, 7 September 2026.

The authority will carry out the N4 system update while its terminals are closed.

During the update, N4, WebAccess and API updates will be unavailable. These systems provide users with container tracking information.

Ocean Terminal closed on 8 September

Ocean Terminal gates will remain closed on Tuesday, 8 September, while Georgia Ports tests the updated system.

The terminal will reopen on Wednesday, 9 September.

Garden City Terminal gates will open at 06:00 on Tuesday, 8 September, following the Labor Day closure.

Terminal

Tuesday, 8 September

Garden City Terminal

Gates open at 06:00

Ocean Terminal

Gates closed for system testing

Separate N4 links for each terminal

After 7 September, external N4 users will access the system through two separate web links.

Georgia Ports will provide one link for Garden City Terminal and another for Ocean Terminal.

The new links will replace the single link currently used to access N4.

Georgia Ports Customer Experience will distribute the new links in a separate email before Labor Day.

WebAccess online will remain unchanged after the update.

Georgia Ports said the system update supports ongoing improvements at Ocean Terminal and aims to enhance the port user experience.

CMA CGM outlines fumigation requirements for Australia and New Zealand


CMA CGM has outlined fumigation requirements for cargo shipped to Australia and New Zealand during the 2026/2027 brown marmorated stink bug high-risk season.

The requirements will apply from 1 September 2026 to 30 April 2027.

Authorities introduced the measures in response to the rapid spread of the brown marmorated stink bug across Europe and North America.

Requirements for Australia

Customers shipping cargo subject to Australia’s restrictions must meet all applicable treatment, certification and reporting requirements.

The rules apply to cargo classified as target high-risk goods or target risk goods.

Customers are responsible for ensuring that their cargo complies with the requirements.

Requirements for New Zealand

Cargo subject to New Zealand’s restrictions must meet all treatment, certification and reporting requirements before arriving in the country.

The goods must undergo fumigation in the country of origin or at a transshipment port before reaching New Zealand.

The approved transshipment options identified by CMA CGM are Singapore and Port Klang.

Cargo cannot undergo fumigation after arrival in New Zealand. Non-compliant goods will need to return to one of the transshipment ports.

Customers will be responsible for all costs associated with delays to ANL or CMA CGM vessels resulting from non-compliance with the fumigation regulations.

Panama Canal adjusts Neopanamax booking rules amid water deficit


The Panama Canal has announced temporary changes to its Neopanamax Transit Reservation System, providing shipping companies with greater flexibility in securing transit slots.

The new rules take effect on 30 August 2026 for booking dates beginning 13 September 2026.

The Panama Canal Authority said the measures aim to improve access to available capacity while supporting efficient water use as the canal continues to face a water deficit in its watershed.

Panama Canal increases booking flexibility

Under the revised rules, Neopanamax customers will be allowed to secure more than one reservation slot for the same booking date.

Customers will also be able to obtain reservations for two or more consecutive booking dates.

These changes temporarily remove some of the restrictions introduced under Advisory A-28-2026.

A total of 63 Neopanamax reservation slots per week will be available. This total includes slots allocated through the Long-Term Slot Allocation (LoTSA) and NetZero programmes.

Customers will also be able to swap or substitute vessels after receiving a slot.

However, the replacement vessel must have the same or greater Transit TEU Allowance (TTA) capacity. Applicable customer limits must also be respected.

Vessels operating under alliances or vessel-sharing agreements can participate in eligible swaps and substitutions under the same conditions.

Booking date changes may also be permitted if they do not cause customers to exceed their applicable slot limits.

Minimum five daily slots for containerships

The revised system introduces minimum allocations for different vessel segments.

Full containerships will receive at least five slots per booking date, with allocation based on the vessels’ TTA capacity.

LPG carriers will receive at least three slots per booking date. LNG carriers will also receive a minimum of three slots per booking date. Both will be allocated based on customer ranking.

Vehicle carriers/RoRo vessels, bulkers and other vessel categories will each receive a minimum of three slots per week, also based on customer ranking.

If demand within a particular segment is insufficient, unused capacity will be redistributed to other eligible vessel categories.

The Panama Canal said this approach is designed to prevent available capacity from going unused while maintaining defined allocation criteria.

Auction slots remain outside customer limits

Customer slot limits can only be exceeded when no other customer within the same market segment is competing for the available capacity.

However, slots secured through the auction process will remain exempt from these limits.

The daily auction slot will continue to be offered from capacity remaining after the market segment competitions when Booking Period 3 opens.

Water deficit continues to affect Panama Canal

The changes come as the Panama Canal continues to manage a water deficit across its watershed.

The authority is encouraging customers to use the reservation system when planning their voyages.

A confirmed reservation remains the only way to guarantee a specific transit date. Vessels arriving without reservations could face delays depending on demand and available capacity.

The Panama Canal said the temporary measures seek to balance reliable transit services and equitable access to capacity with responsible management of available water resources.

///                   Air Cargo News            ///

Signs of stabilisation on China-Europe routes

              Image: © Shutterstock Color4260/ Shutterstock

Figures from WorldACD Market Data for 17 August to 23 August suggest that China-Europe air cargo traffic is beginning to stabilise after several weeks of decline, following the 1 July introduction of European Union import duty rules for low-value imports, including e-commerce.

During week 34, chargeable weight from mainland China and Hong Kong to Europe crept up by 1% week on week – the first such increase since early June, WorldACD noted.

The data provider said: “Although it’s relatively early days since the 1 July ending of EU ‘de minimis’ exemptions on low-value imports, the WoW [week-on-week] uptick in tonnages from China and Hong Kong to Europe could signal a bottoming out of that downward trend and a potential stabilisation of volumes at a new lower level, supported by rebounding post-summer demand.”

However, compared to week 34 of 2025 volumes are substantially down: by 8% on mainland China–Europe routes and by 33% for Hong Kong–Europe tonnages.

More generally for Asia Pacific–Europe traffic, volumes rose by 3% week on week. A massive 88% increase on traffic ex Japan was the main factor in this development (volumes in the preceding week were hit by the country’s Obon festival as well as flight cancellations out of Tokyo owing to tropical storm Chan-Hom).

Elsewhere, Asia Pacific–US volumes were “flat” week on week, WorldACD said, a 33% rise in tonnages ex Japan offset by declines in other origin markets (China down 3% and Hong Kong down 2%, for instance).

Year-on-year comparisons for traffic to the US are tricky given the many changes to US import tariffs and exemptions. Still, tonnages ex China were up 11%, and from Hong Kong up 9 percent, compared to the same week of 2025.

As for total Asia Pacific origin volumes, WorldACD said: “Total Asia Pacific origin volumes in week 34 were up, WoW, by +7 percent, after falling by around -5 percent the previous week, taking them back slightly above their levels of week 33, and +4 percent higher than the equivalent week last year. More than half of that +7 percent WoW increase is explained by the recovery ex-Japan.”

Volumes from the Middle East and South Asia origins rose by 4% week on week and 7% year on year, despite the continuing disruptions to capacity and traffic in parts of that region due to the US–Iran confrontation.

Week-on-week increases from India to Europe (up 5 percent) and Dubai/Bangladesh (up 6 percent) to Europe contrasted with a drop from Dubai to the US (down 15%).

Out of Europe and the US, volumes were down week on week by 4 percent and 2 percent respectively though – “limiting global WoW growth to +2 percent in week 34, and the YoY [year-on-year] worldwide increase to +5 percent” according to WorldACD.

Similar to week 32, average global air cargo spot rates rose by 1% week on week. For China–Europe shipments spot rates have picked up for three weeks in a row as carriers have adjusted capacity to match new levels of demand in the wake of the EU de minimis change.

“Among the key origin markets, spot rates from key high-tech export hubs such as South Korea (+25%, YoY), Taiwan (+25%), and many parts of southeast Asia, were well above the regional average, including Vietnam (+22%, YoY), Thailand (+32%), Malaysia (+42%),” WorldACD observed.

Rates ex Asia Pacific to the US have held steady of late, as has global airfreight capacity –which edged up by 1% week on week in week 34.

The ongoing Israel conflict has impacted capacity out of the Middle East, South Asia and the Gulf, while Europe and North America have seen increases in capacity since that war began.

DHL Global Forwarding acquires Aero Cargas

                                 Image: © DHL Group

DHL Global Forwarding has acquired Uruguay-based logistics and freight forwarding company Aero Cargas, its long time partner.

The acquisition strengthens DHL Global Forwarding’s presence in Latin America (LATAM) and gives the company its first direct operation in Uruguay, an increasingly important logistics hub for regional and international trade.

With more than 58 years of experience in the South American logistics sector and a 33-year relationship with DHL Group, Aero Cargas has expertise in air and ocean freight, industrial project logistics, land transport and customized multimodal services.

The company has also developed a strong track-record in Free Trade Zone operations, pharmaceutical and regional inventory management.

Ongoing geopolitical tensions and shifts in global shipping routes have exposed vulnerabilities in traditional trade lanes, prompting shippers to seek more resilient, high-efficiency routing through LATAM. Uruguay stands uniquely positioned to capture this shift, said DHL Group.

Located at the intersection of Atlantic shipping routes and the Southern Cone’s primary inland waterways, the country serves as a strategic gateway connecting Mercosur, North America, and key international markets.

The acquisition enhances DHL Global Forwarding’s strengths in life sciences and healthcare through pharmaceutical logistics know-how, regional inventory consolidation services and an established healthcare customer base.

It also adds further depth in industrial project logistics and multimodal transportation, supporting customers across a range of high-value sectors.

This comes at an opportune time as Uruguay’s data center sector continues to expand, anchored by massive investments from multinational tech giants and state-backed AI infrastructure, cementing the country’s status as a premier South American digital hub.

Oscar de Bok, chief executive DHL Global Forwarding, said: “Latin America is becoming increasingly important as companies diversify supply chains and strengthen regional distribution networks.

“With Aero Cargas S.A., we are establishing DHL Global Forwarding’s first direct presence in Uruguay and are adding a strategic logistics platform that enhances connectivity across the Americas.

“Beyond expanding our geographic footprint, Aero Cargas S.A. strengthens our capabilities in Life Sciences & Healthcare, Free Trade Zone logistics and industrial project forwarding.

“Together, we are creating a stronger platform for customers across the Southern Cone, combining global reach with deep local expertise and operational excellence.”

Erik Meade, chief executive DHL Global Forwarding Latin America, said: “Expanding into Uruguay directly accelerates the execution of our dedicated Life Sciences & Healthcare strategy.

“In 2025, DHL Group announced an investment plan of EUR 2 billion, with about 10% expected to be invested in Latin America. Establishing a direct presence in Montevideo allows us to place part of that investment where our healthcare customers need these services most.

“More than $1 billion worth of pharmaceuticals moves through Uruguay annually, as global pharma brands increasingly rely on the country as their regional distribution center for Latin America.

“As Uruguay serves as a key regional distribution hub for active ingredients and finished products arriving from Europe and North America to be reprocessed, repackaged, and re-exported to markets like Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Colombia, this step ensures our clients can immediately tap into our specialized capabilities to navigate Latin America’s most critical supply chains.”

Natalia Sadurskas, general manager of Aero Cargas, added: “Over the past three decades, our partnership with DHL has allowed us to build strong customer relationships and develop specialized logistics capabilities.

“Joining DHL Global Forwarding marks an exciting new chapter for our employees and customers. Together, we will be able to offer even greater reach, operational excellence, and service solutions across Latin America and globally.”

Aero Cargas will become part of the DHL Global Forwarding Peru-Ecuador-Argentina-Chile (PAC) cluster led by Eduardo Rodrigues, chief executive PAC DHL Global Forwarding. All employees of the former company will transition to DHL Global Forwarding.

Reports: US investigates possible AI chip smuggling via K+N’s Apex

                     Image: © vi Johnson/Shutterstock.com

The US government is reportedly investigating Kuehne and Nagel’s subsidiary Apex Logistics for possible involvement in the smuggling of AI chips to China.

The US has introduced export restrictions on Nvidia’s most modern chips since 2022, but authorities are now looking into whether they have entered China through Apex Logistics, said Air Cargo News‘ sister magazine, Nieuwsblad Transport, citing Bloomberg.

According to Bloomberg, the investigation revolves around the question of whether Apex violated US export restrictions when transporting AI systems from Super Micro Computer.

Nvidia’s chips are considered the standard for training and running AI models and companies such as Super Micro process them in servers.

According to sources, Apex would have facilitated a route in which the servers went from Taiwan to the US, and then ended up in Hong Kong via an Asian destination.

Apex says it is aware of the concerns in Washington surrounding “a small number of shipments that Apex carried out in 2024 that may have involved equipment that was eventually sent to banned locations.”

It is unclear what quantities of Nvidia chips are involved in the investigation by the US.

The US wants to stop the supply of advanced chip technology to China for fear that the country will gain military advantage from it.

Since the introduction of the export restrictions, a network for shadow trade has been created that, according to the US government, has still resulted in billions of dollars worth of Nvidia chips being transported to China.

Ethiopian Cargo begins China-Ethiopia freighter service

                               Photo: Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Cargo has started a new freighter service between Chengdu, China and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to support trade between Asia and Africa.

The service began on 28 August and operates between Chengdu Tianfu International Airport and Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.

“A new connection takes flight today! Ethiopian Airlines launched a new freighter service from Chengdu China, opening a new direct cargo link between Southwest China and Africa,” said Ethiopian Airlines in a LinkedIn post today.

“The new air link will provide a strong boost to the trade and economic exchanges between western China and Africa.”

According to China’s Xinhua News Agency, the service will operate twice weekly initially using a Boeing 777 freighter. The 777F has 5,000 nmi of range with a 107-tonne payload.

The frequency of the service may also increase to four flights per week in future.

Tang Ruibo, general manager of Ethiopian Airlines China, said the service will help strengthen supply chains between China and Africa and support the distribution of Chengdu’s outbound cargo to key cities in 54 African countries, including Lagos, Accra, Dakar, Entebbe, and Lubumbashi.

Data from Planespotters shows that Ethiopian Airlines has 12 777Fs, four converted 737-800Fs; one converted 767-300F; and two 767-300Fs.

Ethiopian Airlines serves 70 dedicated cargo and 140+ passenger destinations in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Ethiopian Cargo handles general and special cargo, including horticulture, pharmaceuticals, valuables, live animals and e-commerce.

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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