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

 

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

 

 

Corporate News Letter for Wednesday  September 09,  2026

              

    

Today’s Exchange Rates

 

 

Currency ▲	Price	Change	%Change	Open	Prev.Close	Day's Low-High
USD/INR	94.82	0.32	0.338624	94.51	94.50	94.51 - 94.8975
EUR/USD	1.1614	-0.0009	-0.077435	1.1623	1.1623	1.1608 - 1.1636
GBP/INR	128.3064	0.411194	0.321508	127.9616	127.8952	127.9616 - 128.3805
EUR/INR	110.1327	0.332001	0.302367	109.8886	109.8007	109.8886 - 110.1987
USD/JPY	154.29	-0.070007	-0.045353	154.36	154.36	152.88 - 154.423
GBP/USD	1.3546	0.0005	0.036922	1.3541	1.3541	1.3522 - 1.3553
JPY/INR	0.6146	0.0029	0.474089	0.6121	0.6117	0.612 - 0.618

 

///                   Sea Cargo News            ///

Freight rates rise on Transpacific as Europe weakens

Container freight markets showed contrasting regional trends in the latest readings, with several indicators pointing to stronger Transpacific rates while Europe and the Mediterranean faced broader downward pressure.

China’s main export freight indexes also moved higher overall, reinforcing a relatively firm headline picture despite significant differences between individual trade lanes.

Chinese export indexes move higher

The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI) increased approximately 2.9% to 3,509.54 points on 28 August.

The broader China Containerized Freight Index (CCFI) also moved higher, gaining 0.7% to 1,833.99 points.

However, individual trades showed different trends. The CCFI’s US East Coast component increased 1.9% and Europe gained 1.3%, while the Mediterranean declined 4.3% and the US West Coast edged 0.2% lower.

The Ningbo Containerized Freight Index (NCFI) reinforced the positive headline picture, rising 1.9% to 2,607.4 points. Rates increased across 14 of the 21 routes monitored by the index.

NYFI points to stronger Transpacific rates

The NYSHEX Freight Index (NYFI) showed gains on both major Asia-US trades in its 28 August readings.

Asia-US West Coast increased approximately 5.4% to 6,299.85 from 5,978.77, while Asia-US East Coast rose around 4.0% to 8,232.85 from 7,915.03.

Asia-North Europe moved in the opposite direction, declining approximately 2.2% to 4,232.85.

The Transatlantic market was mixed. Westbound rates declined 3.46% to 2,567.28, while eastbound rates increased 5.44% to 1,168.84.

NYFI is based on actual shipped container transactions, providing a transaction-based view of freight-rate movements across its covered trades.

WCI declines as European routes soften

Drewry’s World Container Index (WCI) decreased 1% to US$4,473 per 40-foot container in its 27 August assessment.

Shanghai-New York rates declined 2% to US$9,333 per 40-foot container, while Shanghai-Los Angeles remained stable at US$6,818.

The decline was also visible on European trades. Shanghai-Rotterdam fell 3% to US$4,287, while Shanghai-Genoa decreased 2% to US$4,866.

Drewry said lower rates on the Transpacific and Asia-Europe trades drove the overall decline.

FBX global index rises

The Freightos Baltic Index (FBX) Global Container Freight Index moved in the opposite direction to the WCI.

The weekly FBX increased 1% to US$3,590 per 40-foot container in its 28 August reading.

The increase supports the relatively firm headline picture seen across several of the latest global and Chinese freight benchmarks.

What the freight indexes are telling us

Taken together, the latest readings point to a freight market increasingly shaped by individual trade conditions rather than a single global direction.

The Chinese export market remained firm at composite level. SCFI rose approximately 2.9%, CCFI gained 0.7% and NCFI increased 1.9%. The global FBX also moved 1% higher.

The Transpacific showed relative strength, particularly in the NYFI data. Both Asia-US West Coast and Asia-US East Coast rates increased. However, Drewry offered a more cautious signal, with Shanghai-New York declining and Shanghai-Los Angeles remaining stable.

Europe and the Mediterranean showed more consistent signs of weakness. NYFI’s Asia-North Europe reading declined, while Drewry reported lower rates from Shanghai to both Rotterdam and Genoa. The CCFI Mediterranean component also moved sharply lower.

The indexes use different methodologies, data sources and reporting schedules, so their absolute values are not directly comparable. Their combined direction, however, suggests firmer overall export conditions from China, relative strength on parts of the Transpacific and increasing pressure on European trades.

What to watch next

Europe will be a key market to monitor in the next index updates. Further declines across several benchmarks would strengthen evidence of sustained downward pressure.

The Transpacific will also remain in focus. NYFI showed clear gains, while Drewry provided a softer signal. Capacity adjustments and demand developments will help determine whether the recent rate strength can continue into September.

Yang Ming orders six 13,650 TEU LNG dual-fuel containerships

Picture: Dr. Chuck Tsai, Chairman of Yang Ming (middle)、Mr. Charles Kim, CEO of Hanwha Ocean (third of right)、Kevin Lee, President of Yang Ming (third of left)、Mr. Jong Seo Kim, CEO of Hanwha Engine(second of right), Mr. Sang Don Kang, COO of Hanwha Ocean (first of right)、Mr. Ed Wu, CTO of Yang Ming (second of left)、Mr. Richard Tzeng, CSO of Yang Ming (first of left).

Yang Ming Marine Transport has signed a shipbuilding contract with Hanwha Ocean for six 13,650 TEU LNG dual-fuel containerships.

The vessels are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2029.

Yang Ming plans to deploy the new ships on its East-West services. They will offer flexibility across routes linking Asia with North America, South America and the Mediterranean.

New vessels will be ammonia-ready

Each vessel will feature LNG dual-fuel propulsion and Ammonia Fuel Ready specifications.

Yang Ming said LNG can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 20% compared with conventional marine fuels.

The ammonia-ready design will give the carrier the option to convert the vessels for ammonia use in the future.

The ships will also feature Type B LNG fuel tanks with a design pressure of 1.0 bar.

Several energy-saving technologies will be installed, including wind shields, rudder bulbs and pre-swirl stators. The vessels will also feature shore power systems.

Smart ship technologies and cybersecurity systems will support vessel operations and safety.

Yang Ming targets 24 new vessels by 2030

The order forms part of Yang Ming’s wider fleet renewal programme.

The carrier expects 24 new vessels to enter service by 2030.

This includes 18 LNG dual-fuel containerships: five 15,500 TEU vessels, seven 16,000 TEU ships and the six 13,650 TEU vessels included in the latest contract.

Another six 8,000 TEU vessels will feature methanol dual-fuel-ready specifications.

Yang Ming said the programme will increase the share of lower-carbon vessels in its fleet while improving operational efficiency and deployment flexibility.

Indian Register of Shipping plans new Hamburg office

Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) is planning to establish a new office in Hamburg as it expands its presence in Europe.

The German entity is currently being registered.

The new office will give IRS a base in one of Europe’s major maritime centres. It will also help the classification society build closer ties with the German and wider European shipping industry.

IRS expands European presence

IRS is a full member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS).

It has also been recognised by the European Commission since 2016 under Regulation (EC) No. 391/2009.

From Hamburg, IRS plans to work more closely with shipowners, ship managers and shipyards.

The office will also engage with marine equipment manufacturers, technology companies and research institutions.

“Hamburg is a natural strategic location for IRS as we strengthen our presence in Europe,” said Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman of IRS.

Hamburg office to connect Europe with Indian maritime market

Another focus will be connecting European maritime companies with India’s growing shipbuilding market.

IRS plans to support manufacturers through approval, type approval, certification and compliance services.

India is seeking to expand its shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing industries.

According to IRS, this could create opportunities for European companies in technology partnerships, joint ventures and local production in India.

The classification society sees particular potential in green shipping, alternative fuels, decarbonisation and digitalisation.

Smart ship technologies are another area identified for future cooperation.

Hamburg welcomes IRS expansion

Hamburg Invest supported IRS during the establishment process.

“The decision by the Indian Register of Shipping to establish a presence in Hamburg demonstrates the city’s attractiveness as a leading global hub for shipping and maritime services,” said Rolf Strittmatter, CEO of Hamburg Invest.

He added that the new office would strengthen Hamburg’s international maritime community.

US officials accuse COSCO of intelligence gathering with concealed ship equipment

                                   Source: VesselFinder

U.S. officials have accused Chinese shipping giant COSCO of using concealed equipment aboard its vessels to collect intelligence for Beijing, according to Reuters.

Two senior Trump administration officials told Reuters that the equipment is used to intercept military communications near the coastlines of the United States and other countries.

COSCO did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment. However, the Chinese embassy in Washington rejected the allegations.

US officials allege signals intelligence operation

According to the U.S. officials, COSCO has maintained an intelligence-gathering relationship with Beijing for decades.

They alleged that the programme allows China to collect communications signals from vessels and aircraft across Europe, North America and Asia.

The officials did not provide details about the equipment allegedly installed on COSCO ships.

However, they described it as sophisticated signals intelligence equipment rather than standard communications hardware.

One official said the equipment could collect information on military communications technologies and encryption.

The programme could also allow Beijing to monitor important shipping lanes and maritime routes, according to the officials.

China rejects COSCO allegations

China’s embassy in Washington strongly denied the U.S. claims.

Embassy spokesperson Liu Chang said the Chinese government would not ask companies or individuals to collect intelligence abroad in violation of local laws.

“We oppose vilifying China by peddling the so-called ‘intelligence collection’ narrative,” Liu told Reuters, describing the allegations as baseless.

COSCO already under US scrutiny

The allegations come as COSCO remains under scrutiny in the United States.

The Pentagon added COSCO to its list of companies allegedly linked to China’s military in January 2025.

The designation carries U.S. government procurement restrictions but does not amount to formal sanctions.

Despite the tensions, COSCO remains one of the world’s largest shipping companies and continues to call at U.S. ports. It also participates in terminal service joint ventures at U.S. ports.

The allegations emerge ahead of a planned meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington later this month.

ONE updates Europe Environment Surcharge for fourth quarter

                   ONE CYGNUS, Source: VesselFinder

Ocean Network Express (ONE) has announced its Europe Environment Surcharge tariff for the fourth quarter of 2026.

The updated Europe Environment Surcharge will apply from 1 October to 31 December 2026. It covers all contracts on non-FMC trades, FMC-regulated trades and shipments involving Canada.

ONE reviews the surcharge quarterly and may change the tariff with prior notice.

ONE expands surcharge coverage to UK cargo

ONE introduced the Europe Environment Surcharge on 1 January 2025 to address changing environmental regulations.

From 1 July 2026, the carrier must surrender United Kingdom Allowances for 100% of its verified greenhouse gas emissions covered by the expanded UK Emissions Trading Scheme.

As a result, ONE has expanded the surcharge to cover all cargo moving to and from the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the European Union Emissions Trading System entered its full compliance phase on 1 January 2026. Carriers must now surrender allowances covering 100% of verified emissions, compared with 70% in 2025.

The expanded emissions calculation also includes methane and nitrous oxide.

ONE Europe Environment Surcharge tariff

All tariff amounts are in US dollars.

Trade	Category	20’ dry	40’ dry	20’ reefer	40’ reefer
Asia/Oceania to Europe	Domi	$110	$220	$210	$420
Europe to Asia/Oceania	Non-Domi	$69	$138	$128	$256
Asia/Oceania to Mediterranean	Domi	$45	$90	$80	$160
Mediterranean to Asia/Oceania	Non-Domi	$22	$44	$34	$68
West Asia to Europe	Domi	$101	$202	$192	$384
Europe to West Asia	Non-Domi	$92	$184	$174	$348
West Asia to Mediterranean	Domi	$187	$374	$364	$728
Mediterranean to West Asia	Non-Domi	$141	$282	$272	$544
Europe to North America	Domi	$62	$124	$114	$228
North America to Europe	Non-Domi	$50	$100	$90	$180
Europe to West Africa	Domi	$103	$206	$196	$392
West Africa to Europe	Non-Domi	$52	$104	$94	$188
South Africa to Europe	Domi	$147	$294	$284	$568
Europe to South Africa	Non-Domi	$104	$208	$198	$396
South America to Europe	Domi	$89	$178	$168	$336
Europe to South America	Non-Domi	$76	$152	$142	$284
Intra-Europe	—	$72	$144	$134	$268

The surcharge will not apply separately to export cargo from China. Instead, ONE will incorporate the relevant Europe Environment Surcharge amount into the freight rate.

For FMC-regulated trades, the announcement covers the United States, American Samoa, Puerto Rico, Guam, Saipan and Hawaii.

OOCL updates online VGM declaration function 

                                        OOCL Spain

Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) will update the Verified Gross Mass declaration function in My OOCL Center from 7 September 2026.

The VGM submission process will remain unchanged. However, OOCL has redesigned the page layout to make shipment information easier to review and declarations easier to complete.

Updated VGM declaration features

Customers will continue to be able to:

·        Retrieve shipment details using a booking number

·        Submit VGM details for one or more containers under the same booking

·        Calculate the VGM or enter it directly

·        Review declarations before submission

·        Check or update previously submitted VGM records

·        Set email reminders before the VGM deadline

·        Receive notifications about submission status

OOCL said the update aims to support customers’ daily shipping operations while maintaining the existing declaration process.

Maersk, CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd drive charter activity

Containership charter activity remained strong among major liner operators, with Maersk, CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd among the carriers securing tonnage, according to the August 2026 edition of DynaLiners Monthly.

The latest data show a charter market that remains firm in several vessel segments, although conditions vary significantly by ship size. While rates for some smaller and mid-sized containerships remain well above year-ago levels, larger tonnage has shown a weaker year-on-year performance.

Charter rates diverge across vessel sizes

The New ConTex index shows particularly strong year-on-year growth in the 1,700 TEU segment. The assessed rate reached US$33,025 per day in July 2026, up 24.2% from US$26,584 per day in July 2025.

For 4,250 TEU ships, rates stood at US$58,050 per day, representing a 12.4% increase from US$51,625 a year earlier.

Other vessel categories recorded more moderate gains. Rates for 2,500 TEU ships increased 3.5% year-on-year to US$35,423 per day, while 2,700 TEU vessels rose 4.2% to US$37,818. The 3,500 TEU segment was unchanged year-on-year at US$43,340 per day.

However, the picture changes for larger ships. The New ConTex rate for 5,700 TEU vessels declined 3% year-on-year to US$58,050 per day. The 6,500 TEU segment recorded a sharper 12.3% decrease from US$66,200 to US$58,050 per day.

New ConTex data show mixed year-on-year charter rate trends across containership sizes in July 2026, with gains in several smaller and mid-sized segments and declines for 5,700 TEU and 6,500 TEU vessels. Source: DynaLiners / New ConTex.

Maersk secures tonnage on long-term charters

Against this mixed market backdrop, Maersk was among the major carriers securing vessels.

According to DynaLiners, Maersk chartered the 6,900 TEU Kea, built in 2013, from International Maritime Enterprises. The vessel was reportedly fixed at US$40,000 per day for 60 months.

The Danish carrier also chartered the 2,600 TEU GSL Chloe, built in 2012, from Global Ship Lease. The reported rate was US$25,500 per day for a period of 28 to 32 months.

The five-year commitment for Kea stands out because of its duration, providing Maersk with access to larger chartered tonnage well beyond the current market cycle.

CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd add charter capacity

CMA CGM was also active in the market.

DynaLiners reported that the French carrier chartered the newly built 1,800 TEU Seatrade Belgie at US$27,500 per day for 23 to 25 months.

CMA CGM also took the 1,700 TEU Ca Saigon, built in 2024, from CA Shipping. The vessel was reportedly fixed at US$35,500 per day for 11 to 13 months.

Meanwhile, Hapag-Lloyd extended the charter of the 1,800 TEU Nordpuma. DynaLiners reported a rate of US$26,400 per day for a period of 26 to 30 months. The vessel was built in 2015 and is owned by Reederei Nord.

Containership charter activity extends across the market

Activity was not limited to the three major liner operators.

GFS reportedly chartered two newly built ships for 24 months. The 4,000 TEU Yong Run 27 was fixed at US$51,000 per day, while a 3,600 TEU vessel, Hui Hang Guo Ji, was fixed at US$45,000 per day.

X-Press Feeders also secured newly built tonnage, chartering the 4,200 TEU Fu Yang Shun Da for 24 months at US$51,000 per day.

DP World took the 2,800 TEU Monaco at US$42,000 per day for 12 to 14 months and the 1,300 TEU Coffee Stella at US$21,000 per day for the same duration.

Among the highest reported rates in the latest fixture list was the 2,500 TEU Shengtang. Centrans reportedly chartered the vessel for six to eight months at US$60,000 per day.

Long-term commitments stand out

Several fixtures in the DynaLiners data also point to charterers securing capacity for extended periods.

COSCO Shipping Lines extended the charter of the 4,300 TEU Navios Vermilion for 36 months at US$35,000 per day.

At the upper end of the duration range, Shipping Corporation of India extended the charter of the 9,000 TEU SCI Delhi for 84 months at US$45,000 per day.

The latest fixtures underline continued containership charter activity across several vessel segments, despite differing year-on-year rate trends. Charter rates remain above year-ago levels across several smaller and mid-sized vessel categories, while year-on-year rate development for larger tonnage is weaker.

At the same time, multi-year fixtures by major operators show that carriers continue to secure chartered capacity beyond immediate short-term requirements.

///                   Air Cargo News            ///

Bengaluru moves ahead of Mumbai in domestic cargo volumes

Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport has overtaken Mumbai to become India’s second-largest domestic cargo hub, with BLR Cargo handling 19,268 tonnes of domestic cargo in July 2026, according to AAI Annexure IV-B data. Mumbai handled 18,311 tonnes during the month, leaving Bengaluru 957 tonnes ahead.

The shift was supported by a 9.8% year-on-year increase in Bengaluru’s domestic cargo volumes, while Mumbai recorded an 8.2% decline. The latest figures place BLR Cargo behind only the country’s largest domestic cargo hub. The July performance comes as BLR Cargo continues to report strong growth across its wider cargo operations.

It handled approximately 147,000 tonnes of cargo in the first quarter of FY2026-27, covering April to June 2026, marking 15% year-on-year growth. This was higher than the 12% growth recorded by the national industry during the same period.

The airport said the growth in the first quarter was supported by export demand across key commodities, increased international connectivity, expanded freighter capacity and rising cargo consolidation from the South India catchment. The momentum continued in July, when BLR Cargo recorded its highest-ever monthly cargo volume of 55,037 tonnes. The airport said the growth reflects the increasing trade activity in the region and demand from global markets.

The latest domestic cargo figures add another dimension to this growth, with Bengaluru now handling more domestic cargo than Mumbai in the month. BLR Cargo’s growth has also been supported by its wider international cargo network. In FY2025-26, Kempegowda International Airport handled 532,000 tonnes of cargo, up 6% year on year.

Cargo operations during the year were supported by 15 cargo airlines serving 38 destinations, with demand coming from agri-perishables, pharmaceuticals, auto parts, spare parts, electronics and e-commerce shipments. (Indian Transport & Logistics)

Perishables remain an important part of Bengaluru’s cargo business. In FY2025-26, the airport continued as India’s leading gateway for perishable exports for the fifth consecutive year. It handled around 60 million rose stems during the year, with rose volumes increasing 38% and tonnage rising 64%. Mango exports increased 12% to a five-year high, while coriander volumes grew 13% year on year.

(Indian Transport & Logistics) The airport has continued to see strong mango export activity in the current season. BLR Cargo facilitated the export of 1,226 tonnes of mangoes to 38 destinations worldwide, representing 33% growth over the previous year.

The shipments were handled through 16 airline partners. Temperature-controlled infrastructure has supported these shipments. WFS BLR Coolport provides specialised cold-chain facilities with dedicated temperature zones of 2°C to 8°C, -15°C to -25°C and 15°C to 25°C for temperature-sensitive cargo. The airport’s cargo infrastructure has also expanded to support the growth.

The commissioning of the AISATS BLR Logistics Park strengthened cargo capacity and processing capabilities at the airport in FY2025-26. BLR Cargo is the integrated cargo ecosystem of BLR Airport and said it remains focused on strengthening infrastructure, expanding connectivity and improving operational performance as cargo volumes increase.

The rise in domestic cargo volumes, combined with continued growth in international cargo, export activity and perishables, marks a significant change in Bengaluru’s position in India’s cargo market. The July figures show the airport moving ahead of Mumbai in domestic cargo while its overall cargo business continues to expand.

FedEx reaches 30 IATA CEIV Pharma certifications globally

FedEx Corp has secured its 30th IATA CEIV Pharma certification, extending the accreditation across its global air hubs and cargo handling facilities and placing the company among the transportation providers with one of the industry's largest networks recognised for pharmaceutical handling standards, the company announced on 28 August.

The CEIV Pharma certification, awarded by the International Air Transport Association, assesses whether an operator's facilities and processes meet defined standards for handling time-sensitive, temperature-controlled pharmaceutical shipments. FedEx said the milestone reflects the capabilities built out by FedEx Life Sciences, its dedicated healthcare logistics organisation, in moving critical, temperature-sensitive shipments for the healthcare industry.

IATA's global head of cargo, Brendan Sullivan, said the pharmaceutical industry depended on air transport to ensure time-sensitive and temperature-controlled medicines and therapies reached doctors and patients, and said IATA was pleased to see FedEx earn the industry's recognised mark of quality in pharmaceutical handling while continuing to expand its global network.

Nick Gennari, president of FedEx Healthcare and Life Sciences, said the company was proud to reach the milestone but that its work in the space was not finished, describing it as another step toward building one of the world's most advanced healthcare logistics networks, with quality remaining central to FedEx Life Sciences' ongoing expansion and its continued work with IATA.

FedEx Corp reported annual revenue of 86 billion US dollars and employs more than 450,000 people worldwide, offering a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services built on an integrated global network.

WFS renews China Eastern cargo contract in Stockholm

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a SATS company, has renewed its cargo handling agreement with China Eastern Airlines at Stockholm Arlanda Airport for another three years. The renewed contract comes as China Eastern resumes non-stop services between Shanghai and Stockholm, bringing the route back after a six-year hiatus.

WFS previously served as the airline’s cargo handling partner in Sweden, beginning operations for China Eastern in 2018. China Eastern is currently operating three weekly round-trip flights between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Stockholm on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The airline expects to transport more than 1,000 tonnes of cargo annually between the two cities. The Shanghai-Stockholm connection is considered an important link for trade and tourism between Scandinavia and Asia, supporting the movement of goods between the two regions.

Kim Elfstrom, Managing Director Sweden at WFS, said, “We are delighted to welcome back China Eastern as a valuable customer of WFS at Stockholm Arlanda. We enjoyed a strong working relationship in Sweden before the pandemic and have maintained our close Scandinavian ties with the airline through our ongoing contract in Copenhagen.”

WFS operates two cargo terminals at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, with a combined footprint of more than 18,000 square metres. Its facilities include newly established Good Distribution Practice (GDP)-certified pharmaceutical handling capabilities, alongside road transport services.

The company currently provides cargo handling and trucking services to more than 20 international airlines and freight forwarding customers at the airport. Over the past 12 months, WFS has also renewed its cargo handling contract with Singapore Airlines and secured a new handling agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways, further strengthening its presence in the Stockholm air cargo market.

SkyDrive picks Mumbai, Delhi for eVTOL trial routes

SkyDrive, a Japanese developer, manufacturer, and seller of compact eVTOL aircraft, announced on August 25 that it will move forward with evaluating initial operational routes for introducing eVTOL medical logistics services in India, in partnership with Air India and Suzuki Motor Corporation.

The announcement builds on a Memorandum of Understanding the three companies signed on July 31, 2026, to jointly study the feasibility of such operations.

According to SkyDrive, rapid economic growth in India in recent years has led to severe traffic congestion in major urban areas, making the timely transport of urgent medical supplies a significant social and economic challenge.

Through the programme, the three companies aim to identify and evaluate high-priority, high-impact operational routes across the country. SkyDrive said the routes identified represent an initial set of locations for further evaluation, and that any future operations arising from the study would be undertaken in close coordination with relevant government and regulatory authorities, subject to all necessary approvals.

The programme is targeting three specific use cases. Emergency transport of radioactive isotopes Cancer diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceuticals that use radioactive isotopes have an extremely short half-life, requiring immediate delivery to hospitals after production.

The programme will evaluate a route transporting such materials from a manufacturing plant in Mumbai to nearby major general hospitals, assessing how reliable air logistics can bypass road traffic, prevent medication degradation, and expedite patient care.

Emergency medical and organ transport

Time is critical for transplant surgeries and emergency medical care, but chronic traffic congestion in major metropolitan areas, including the Delhi National Capital Region, poses a significant obstacle.

The programme will evaluate transport between major hospitals within Delhi NCR, assessing the safety and feasibility of using eVTOLs to cut inter-hospital transport times from 30-90 minutes by ambulance to just 10-15 minutes by air.

Aircraft parts transport

In the course of evaluating medical logistics use cases, SkyDrive said it became evident that urban traffic congestion also causes critical transport delays in the aviation sector, with gridlock often preventing the timely arrival of required parts during aircraft maintenance, leading to frequent Aircraft on Ground (AOG) situations.

As a result, the programme will expand beyond medical logistics to assess the feasibility of emergency parts transport using eVTOLs. This use case will evaluate a route between parts collection hubs and maintenance bases near Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and airport terminals and maintenance areas, assessing whether bypassing urban traffic to deliver replacement parts can significantly reduce aircraft downtime and improve operational reliability.

SkyDrive noted that the use cases and candidate routes outlined were compiled from the perspective of future applicability, and that the company will continue to broadly explore the potential of medical air logistics in India through dialogue and research with relevant stakeholders going forward.

The programme follows the original MoU signed on July 31, under which Air India, SkyDrive, and Suzuki agreed to jointly study the feasibility of eVTOL aircraft for medical air logistics in India, combining SkyDrive's eVTOL technology, Air India's aviation and operational expertise, and Suzuki's market insight in India.

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.