JUPITER SEA & AIR
SERVICES PVT. LTD, EGMORE – CHENNAI, INDIA.
E-MAIL : Robert.sands@jupiterseaair.co.in Mobile : +91 98407 85202
Corporate News
Letter for Tuesday September 15, 2026
Today’s
Exchange Rates
|
Currency ▲ |
Price |
Change |
%Change |
Open |
Prev.Close |
Day's Low-High |
|
95.55 |
0.101303 |
0.106134 |
95.69 |
95.4487 |
95.52 - 95.80 |
|
|
1.1603 |
-0.0009 |
-0.077509 |
1.1612 |
1.1612 |
1.1569 - 1.1618 |
|
|
129.0803 |
-0.244492 |
-0.189052 |
129.1707 |
129.3248 |
129.0259 - 129.484 |
|
|
110.81 |
-0.241302 |
-0.217289 |
111.0265 |
111.0513 |
110.7849 - 111.1809 |
|
|
153.668 |
-0.751999 |
-0.486983 |
154.42 |
154.42 |
153.242 - 154.617 |
|
|
1.352 |
0.0008 |
0.059208 |
1.3512 |
1.3512 |
1.3482 - 1.3535 |
|
|
0.6201 |
0.0017 |
0.27491 |
0.6183 |
0.6184 |
0.6178 - 0.6218 |
/// Sea Cargo News ///
CMA CGM Faces $186
Million-Plus Demurrage Claim from Samsung
Samsung Electronics America has filed a complaint with the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) seeking at least $186 million in reparations from CMA CGM, alleging unlawful demurrage and detention charges and failures to meet inland transportation obligations during the pandemic period.
The complaint covers shipments handled
between 2020 and 2023, when Samsung says it faced major disruptions in the US
logistics network.
According to the filing, Samsung was billed
for more than 121,000 separate demurrage, detention and rail-storage charges,
many of which it argues resulted from circumstances beyond its control.
Samsung said the claim includes approximately
USD 148 Million in demurrage, detention and rail-storage costs, $8.1 million in
operational mitigation expenses and around $30 million in prejudgement
interest. The company alleges that these costs resulted from CMA CGM’s failure
to properly perform inland transportation services covered under its “store
door” delivery arrangements.
Under these “store door” arrangements, CMA
CGM was responsible for moving Samsung’s containers from US ports to inland
destinations by rail or truck. Samsung alleges that beginning around 2020, the
carrier repeatedly failed to provide the contracted inland transportation,
citing severe port congestion and shortages of rail chassis, while shifting
resulting costs to the electronics company.
One example cited in the complaint involved
containers arriving at an inland rail ramp in 2021, where Samsung says CMA
CGM’s alleged transportation failures resulted in more than $3.7 million in
rail-storage charges. Samsung also alleges problems involving cargo holds,
billing practices and dispute resolution.
The $186 million-plus claim is among the
largest post pandemic complaints against a container carrier before the FMC and
exceeds a $161 million claim filed against OOCL in 2025. The Samsung case has
been assigned to an FMC administrative law judge.
The FMC’s formal notice says CMA CGM must
file its answer within 25 days after service. The initial decision is scheduled
for September 01, 2027, with a final Commission decision due by March 15, 2028.
The case highlights the financial risks faced
by shippers when inland transport disruptions, terminal congestion and
equipment shortages generate demurrage and detention costs. It could also draw
further attention to how ocean carriers apply such charges when delays arise
from circumstances outside a cargo owner’s control.
COSCO Denies US Claims of Covert
Surveillance Gear on Vessels
China’s state-owned shipping giant COSCO Shipping has rejected allegations from senior US officials that its vessels carry concealed equipment to intercept military communications and gather intelligence, calling the claims “totally unfounded.”
The allegations were reported on September 1,
citing two senior Trump administration officials who claimed COSCO ships had
been used as platforms for intelligence collection near the coastlines of
countries including the United States.
The officials also alleged that COSCO has
maintained a decades-long intelligence-gathering relationship with Beijing.
COSCO strongly disputed the accusations.
The company said that all communications,
navigation, safety and operational equipment installed on its vessels is
intended solely for legitimate commercial activities, including navigation
safety, ship-to-shore communication and emergency response. It said none of the
equipment is used to intercept military communications or collect intelligence.
The company also accused unnamed foreign
media reports of spreading false or misleading information that could damage
its corporate reputation and disrupt its international operations. COSCO said
it reserves the right to take legal action to protect its interests.
The allegations add another layer of tension
to the already sensitive US-China maritime and trade relationship. COSCO is one
of the world’s largest container shipping groups, with extensive operations and
port calls across North America, Europe and Asia, meaning any regulatory or
security measures affecting the company could have wider implications for
global shipping networks.
This dispute also highlights growing scrutiny
of commercial vessels operated by Chinese state-linked companies amid broader
concerns in Washington over maritime infrastructure, communications technology
and potential links between civilian shipping assets and national security
activities.
For the shipping industry, the allegations
remain disputed claims rather than established findings, COSCO’s categorical
denial sets the stage for further scrutiny as US and Chinese authorities
continue to address concerns surrounding the security implications of Chinese
involvement in global maritime trade.
Panama Canal Extends
48-Foot Draft Limit for Neopanamax Vessels
The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) has postponed a planned reduction in the maximum allowable draft for vessels using the Neopanamax Locks, allowing ships to continue transiting at up to 48 feet (14.63 metres) Tropical Fresh Water (TFW).
The decision follows a review of Gatun Lake
levels and updated weather projections. The Canal had scheduled a reduction of
the maximum draft to 47.5 feet (14.48 metres) from October 1, 2026.
The ACP has now deferred that adjustment,
giving shipping lines and vessel operators greater certainty for voyage
planning and fleet deployment. The 48-foot limit had initially been introduced
as part of a series of draft adjustments linked to water availability in the
Canal watershed. The ACP has been closely monitoring Gatun Lake levels,
rainfall and watershed inflows as it manages water resources while maintaining
safe navigation.
Maintaining the higher draft is particularly
important for large container vessels, as draft restrictions can affect how
much cargo a ship can carry. The extension therefore allows carriers to
maintain greater cargo capacity on routes using the Panama Canal, supporting
more predictable vessel deployment and network planning.
However, the decision does not mean that
water-related pressures have eased completely. The canal has introduces
additional operational measures because of below-normal rainfall and reduced
water inflows. From early September, Neopanamax transit capacity has been
reduced to nine daily slots, while Panamax capacity has also been adjusted.
The Canal Authority said it will continue
monitoring hydrological and weather conditions and will provide advance notice
of any future changes to draft requirements. The current policy reflects an
effort to balance water conservation, navigational safety and service
reliability for shipping customers.
For carriers, the extension of the 48-foot
Neopanamax draft limit provides short term relief from the prospect of further
cargo restrictions, even as the Canal continues to manage the operational risks
associated with changing weather and water conditions.
X-Press Feeders and
T.S. Lines Expand Regional Service Network
X-Press Feeders and T.S. Lines have
introduced new regional container services linking the Indian Subcontinent and
the Red Sea, strengthening short-haul connectivity in two strategically
important markets.
The moves come as carriers continue to adjust
networks and add regional links to meet changing cargo demand. X-Press Feeders
has launched the Malabar X-Press (MBX), a weekly shuttle connecting Colombo in
Sri Lanka with New Mangalore and Cochin in India.
The service is operated with a single
1,100-TEU container vessel on the rotation Colombo–New
Mangalore–Cochin–Colombo.
The new service provides an additional
regional connection for cargo moving between Sri Lanka and India's southwest
coast, potentially supporting feeder movements and improving links into wider
liner networks serving the Indian Subcontinent. The inclusion of both New
Mangalore and Cochin gives shippers access to two important gateways on India’s
west coast.
Meanwhile, T. S. Lines has been operating its
RSS service since July, providing an intra-Red Sea Shuttle between Jeddah-Saudi
Arabia and Sokhna – Egypt. The service deploys a single 4,400 TEU
containership, creating a direct regional link between two major Red Sea trade
gateways.
The two services reflect a broader emphasis
on regional feeder and shuttle networks, which can provide more flexible cargo
connections where long-haul routes are affected by changing trade patterns,
capacity adjustments or disruptions on major shipping corridors.
For the Indian market, the MBX service
strengthens connectivity between Colombo and ports n India’s southwestern
coast, while the T.S. Lines RSS service supports cargo flows between Saudi
Arabia and Egypt. Together, the additions increase the number of regional
options available to shippers in the Indian Subcontinent and Red Sea markets.
The launch of these services also highlights
the continued importance of feeder operations in container shipping, with
smaller and medium sized vessels providing links between regional ports and
larger international network hubs.
Hapag-Lloyd
and FIMI to revise $4.2 billion ZIM acquisition bid
Hapag-Lloyd and Israeli private equity firm FIMI are expected to submit a revised proposal for their US$4.2 billion acquisition of ZIM.
The two parties have been given 30 days
to make structural changes to the transaction, according to a report by
Calcalist.
The changes are aimed at addressing concerns
raised by the Israeli government over the future of ZIM and Israel’s maritime
interests.
Israeli authorities seek changes to deal
Hapag-Lloyd and FIMI agreed to acquire ZIM in
February. The transaction has received shareholder approval but still requires
regulatory clearances.
A key hurdle is approval from the Israeli
government due to the state’s golden share in ZIM.
According to Calcalist, Israeli authorities
have raised concerns over access to key international shipping routes following
the acquisition.
There are also concerns about the future
structure of ZIM Israel. Under the proposed transaction, it is expected
to operate separately under FIMI’s ownership.
Calcalist reported that six of eight
government bodies expected to provide opinions on the transaction have opposed
it. These reportedly include the ministries of Economy, Agriculture and
Transport.
Parties receive 30-day extension
Hapag-Lloyd and FIMI have held several
meetings with Israeli government representatives in recent weeks.
The parties have now agreed to a 30-day
extension to address the concerns raised by authorities.
According to the report, the revised
structure is expected to include tighter restrictions on foreign ownership and
greater government control over ZIM Israel.
Changes aimed at strengthening Israel’s
maritime capacity are also expected to form part of the revised proposal.
Hapag-Lloyd outlines safeguards in revised
proposal
Hapag-Lloyd has argued that the proposed
transaction would protect Israel’s maritime transport capabilities.
According to Calcalist, the German carrier
said during discussions that the deal would leave “the chance of any foreign
interference in Israel’s maritime transport capabilities” at zero.
This includes the transportation of sensitive
cargo and essential goods to Israel.
Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen said the
carrier had “listened carefully” to the concerns raised during discussions with
the Israeli government and relevant authorities.
He said Hapag-Lloyd and its partners are
developing an improved proposal aimed at strengthening Israel’s maritime
security and independence, including securing access to key shipping routes
from Asia and reinforcing protections under the Golden Share framework.
According to Habben Jansen, the revised
proposal would also prevent foreign interference in the transportation of
sensitive Israeli cargo.
The 30-day extension gives Hapag-Lloyd and
FIMI additional time to revise the transaction before the Israeli government
makes a final decision.
Freight
rate divide widens between Transpacific and Europe
The freight rate divide between major container shipping trades widened in the latest weekly readings, with Transpacific routes showing relative strength while Asia-Europe rates continued to weaken.
At headline level, the major benchmarks
remained mixed. The SCFI and CCFI moved higher, while the NCFI and Freightos
Baltic Index declined and Drewry’s World Container Index remained broadly
stable.
Chinese freight indexes show mixed movement
The Shanghai Containerized Freight Index
(SCFI) increased 2.3% to 3,590.05 points, up from
3,509.54 in the previous reading.
The broader China Containerized Freight Index
(CCFI) recorded a smaller increase, rising 0.2% to
1,837.01 points from 1,833.99.
The Ningbo
Containerized Freight Index (NCFI), however,
moved in the opposite direction. The index declined 0.6% to 2,591.28 points
from 2,607.4 previously.
Together, the three Chinese benchmarks point
to a relatively stable overall export freight environment, despite different
movements between Shanghai and Ningbo.
NYFI shows pressure on Europe
The latest NYSHEX Freight Index
(NYFI) readings showed a mixed Transpacific market
but continued weakness on the Asia-Europe trade.
Asia-US West Coast increased approximately 1%
to 6,361.11 from 6,299.85.
Asia-US East Coast moved lower, declining
around 2.1% to 8,063.84 from 8,232.85.
The decline was more pronounced on Asia-North
Europe, where the index fell approximately 4.1% to 4,058.96 from 4,232.85.
Transatlantic routes also weakened. Westbound
rates dropped approximately 8.7% to 2,344.44, while eastbound rates decreased
around 1.3% to 1,154.23.
Drewry shows Transpacific gains and Europe
declines
Drewry’s
World Container Index (WCI) remained broadly stable
at US$4,465 per 40-foot container in its latest assessment.
The stable composite reading, however, masked
sharply different regional movements.
Shanghai-Los Angeles increased 5% to US$7,185
per 40-foot container, while Shanghai-New York rose 3% to US$9,587.
Europe moved firmly in the opposite
direction. Shanghai-Rotterdam declined 5% to US$4,092, while Shanghai-Genoa
dropped 10% to US$4,368.
The WCI therefore shows a clear divergence
between strengthening Transpacific spot rates and continued downward pressure
on Asia-Europe trades.
FBX declines 2%
The Freightos
Baltic Index (FBX) Global Container Freight Index declined 2% in its latest weekly reading to US$3,520.
The fall contrasts with the increases
recorded by the SCFI and CCFI and highlights the mixed direction of the broader
container freight market.
What the freight indexes are telling us
The latest readings reinforce the
increasingly regional nature of container freight-rate movements.
At composite level, there is no single
direction. SCFI increased 2.3% and CCFI edged 0.2% higher, while NCFI declined
0.6%, FBX fell 2% and the WCI was broadly stable.
The underlying trade data provide a clearer
picture.
On the Transpacific, Drewry recorded
increases on both Shanghai-Los Angeles and Shanghai-New York, while NYFI showed
a gain on Asia-US West Coast but a decline on Asia-US East Coast.
Europe showed more consistent weakness.
NYFI’s Asia-North Europe rate declined 4.1%, while Drewry reported a 5% fall on
Shanghai-Rotterdam and a 10% decline on Shanghai-Genoa.
Although the indexes use different
methodologies and reporting schedules, the latest readings suggest that the gap
between conditions on the Transpacific and Asia-Europe trades is becoming
increasingly visible.
What to watch next
The key question is whether the Transpacific
can maintain its relative strength while European rates continue to decline.
Further weakness across Asia-Europe benchmarks would reinforce the current trend, while the next Transpacific readings will show whether recent gains represent sustained momentum or a shorter-term market adjustment.
ZPMC
installs wind-resistant quay crane at Qingdao Dagang Terminal
View of ZPMC’s new wind-resistant cranes at Qingdao, Source: ZPMC
ZPMC has installed a new wind-resistant
quay crane at Qingdao Dagang Terminal in China.
The crane is designed to withstand wind gusts
of nearly 210 kilometres per hour.
According to ZPMC, the new design reduces
wind load by 80% compared with conventional crane designs.
New design targets extreme wind conditions
ZPMC has introduced several structural
features to improve the crane’s resistance to strong winds.
These include elliptical columns and a
streamlined frame structure.
The crane also features a semi-circular main
beam and an octagonal machinery house.
Additional systems support the crane’s brakes
and clamps during challenging weather conditions.
Wind load reduced by 80%
ZPMC said the combination of these features
cuts the crane’s overall wind load by 80% compared with conventional
designs.
The new crane is now operational at Qingdao
Dagang Terminal.
T.S. Lines
profit rises 23% despite lower container volumes
T.S. Lines reported stronger financial
results for the first half of 2026, despite a slight decline in container
volumes.
Revenue increased 3% year on year to
US$660.4 million, while net profit rose 23% to US$233 million.
The carrier handled 810,800 TEU, down
0.9% compared with the first half of 2025.
Operating profit climbs 24%
T.S. Lines recorded operating profit of US$235.1
million, representing a 24% year-on-year increase.
Net profit showed similar growth, rising 23%
to US$233 million.
The improvement came despite the slight
reduction in container volumes during the period.
Higher revenue per TEU supports results
Average freight revenue per TEU increased 3.6%
to US$741.
The higher average revenue helped offset the
0.9% decline in carryings and supported the company’s improved financial
performance.
Overall, T.S. Lines generated higher revenue
and profit while handling fewer containers during the first six months of the
year.
/// Air Cargo News ///
GNIDA plans dedicated freight link to
Jewar Airport
Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) has proposed a six-lane elevated road linking the Multimodal Logistics Hub with Noida International Airport at Jewar, with the route planned parallel to the Western DFC, said Nand Gopal Gupta, Industrial Development Minister, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
The
proposed road is intended for cargo flow and provides a direct link between the
logistics hub and the air cargo terminal. This will reduce the need for cargo
vehicles to use regular city roads. GNIDA has also proposed a 105-metre-wide
road towards the Hapur Bypass as part of plans to separate cargo and passenger
traffic.
The
proposals are part of amendments being considered to the Greater Noida Master
Plan 2041 and are aimed at fortifying cargo connectivity around the region’s
industrial and logistics infrastructure.
Afcom signs LOI to acquire up to four
Boeing 777-8Fs
Indian
air cargo solutions company Afcom Holdings Limited has signed a letter of
intent (LOI) for up to four Boeing 777-8 freighters.
The
company, which operates a cargo airline across domestic and international
routes serviced by Boeing 737-800Fs, disclosed the LOI in an announcement on
the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
The
possible order marks a significant step in Afcom’s fleet expansion and
international growth strategy, strengthening its capabilities for long-haul air
cargo operations and international connectivity across key trade corridors.
Deepak
Parasuraman, Chairman & Managing Director of Afcom, said: “This proposed
acquisition is an important step in AFCOM’s growth journey, giving us greater
scale and flexibility to pursue larger cargo opportunities and serve evolving
customer requirements across markets.
“As
we move ahead, our focus will remain on disciplined expansion, efficient
execution and building a stronger, more connected air cargo business for the
long term. The addition of this capacity will also give us greater flexibility
to participate in international cargo flow and respond to changing demand
across key trade corridors.”
Afcom
transports a range of shipments including general cargo, perishables, pharma,
project cargo, dangerous goods and high-value cargo. In addition to standard
shipping it offers priority and courier options.
The
company’s services extend across various ASEAN and Middle-Eastern countries.
First flight for IAI’s Airbus
A330-300P2F
Israel
Aerospace Industries (IAI) has completed the maiden flight of its converted
Airbus A330-300 passenger-to-freighter (P2F) aircraft.
The
flight was conducted as part of the certification campaign for the A330-300BDSF
programme and marks a significant milestone toward entry into service.
In
May, IAI said it had completed primary
structural work
on its A330-300 conversion prototype and expected certification by the end of
the year.
The
flight follows the completion of the aircraft’s primary structural phase and
extensive ground testing activities performed by IAI’s Aviation Group.
During
the flight, the aircraft and its systems were evaluated under multiple
operational conditions as part of the ongoing certification process.
Guy
Bar Lev, IAI president and chief executive, said: “This milestone reflects
IAI’s continued investment in advanced aviation technologies and industrial and
engineering capabilities, while strengthening our position in the global air
cargo market.
“The
A330-300BDSF program further expands our broad conversion portfolio and
reinforces IAI’s ability to provide long-term, flexible and reliable solutions
to customers worldwide.”
Designed
for regional and medium-haul cargo operations, the A330-300BDSF has capacity
for up to 30 containers and payload capability of up to 61 tons.
The
aircraft features an electrical cargo loading system and optimized cargo flow,
while the forward positioning of the main deck cargo door enables faster
loading and unloading operations, improving operational efficiency and reducing
turnaround times, said IAI.
Yaacov
Berkovitz, executive vice president and general manager of IAI’s Aviation
Group, said: “The successful completion of the first flight marks another
important step in expanding IAI’s widebody conversion capabilities and
advancing the A330-300BDSF program toward certification and commercial service.
“Leveraging
decades of engineering expertise and operational experience, we are delivering
a highly capable and competitive solution designed to address the evolving
needs of the global cargo market. IAI approach is designed around the
customer’s requirement for quick entry into service, supporting accelerated
operational readiness and earlier revenue realization.”
IAI
was the first company worldwide to achieve an STC for the conversion of a
Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft into freighter configuration and currently
performs advanced conversions for the 777-300ERSF, Boeing 767-200, 767-300,
Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 platforms.
LOT and Concorde boost Southeast Asia
cargo links
LOT Polish Airlines is expanding its Southeast Asia network with new direct services from Warsaw to Bangkok and Hanoi, creating additional belly cargo capacity and connectivity between Southeast Asia and Central and Eastern Europe. The Warsaw-Bangkok service is planned to start on 7 October 2026, followed by the Warsaw-Hanoi service on 31 March 2027.
The
new routes will give the air cargo and freight forwarding community more
options to move shipments between Thailand, Vietnam, Poland and other European
destinations through LOT’s Warsaw hub.
Thailand
and Vietnam are among Southeast Asia’s manufacturing, export and logistics
markets. The new direct services will provide additional belly cargo capacity
and improve access to European markets for exporters, importers and freight
forwarders in both countries.
Cargo
from Bangkok and Hanoi will be able to connect through Warsaw to destinations
across LOT’s European network. The routes will also provide additional options
for Europe-originating cargo moving to Thailand and Vietnam. Michał Grochowski,
Head of Cargo at LOT Polish Airlines, said the new Bangkok and Hanoi
connections are an important step in the airline’s expansion in Southeast Asia.
From
a cargo perspective, these routes will open new opportunities for our customers
by connecting two important Asian markets directly with Warsaw and our wider
European network. Together with Group Concorde, we look forward to developing
these markets and delivering reliable, competitive and customer-focused cargo
solutions to the freight forwarding community,” he said.
Group
Concorde will support LOT Cargo’s development in Thailand and Vietnam as its
Cargo General Sales and Service Agent (GSSA) in both markets.
The
company will support LOT Cargo’s commercial development, sales and customer
activities through its local presence and relationships with freight forwarders
and logistics partners.
Prithviraj
Chug, Chief Executive Officer of Group Concorde, said the new services would
create opportunities for customers and freight forwarding partners in Thailand
and Vietnam. “Our focus at Group Concorde will be to translate this additional
connectivity into sustainable cargo growth for LOT.
With
our local teams, market knowledge and close relationships with the forwarding
community, we are committed to making Bangkok and Hanoi strong additions to LOT
Cargo’s network and further strengthening the cargo bridge between Southeast
Asia and Europe,” he said.
The
addition of Bangkok and Hanoi will further expand LOT Cargo’s options for
serving trade flows between Asia and Europe, while giving freight forwarders
additional capacity, routing options and connectivity through Warsaw. Group
Concorde and LOT Cargo will work with customers and partners ahead of both
launches to develop the markets and support the introduction of the new
services.
Lufthansa Cargo to acquire LUG air cargo
handling
Lufthansa Cargo has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of German air cargo handler LUG aircargo handling GmbH as it looks to increase handling capacity and flexibility in its home market. The agreement was signed on 7 September 2026, with the transaction subject to the necessary antitrust and regulatory approvals.
Following
the acquisition, LUG aircargo handling will continue to operate independently
in the market, with its existing structures and customer relationships
unchanged. The acquisition is part of Lufthansa Cargo’s growth strategy and is
intended to strengthen the company’s infrastructure and competitiveness.
The
additional handling capacity will complement Lufthansa Cargo’s existing ground
handling infrastructure, which is undergoing modernisation under its LCCevo
programme with an investment of around €600 million.
The
company said the additional capacity will support future growth while allowing
it to continue providing reliable and high-quality services to customers. “In
an increasingly volatile market environment, we want to become more flexible,
more efficient, and more resilient for our customers,” said Frank Bauer, Chief
Operating Officer of Lufthansa Cargo.
“That
is why we are making targeted investments in our infrastructure in our home
market in Germany to set the course to provide an even better offering for our
customers and achieve profitable growth — this is a win-win situation for both
companies,” he added. LUG aircargo handling currently belongs to the Dettmer
Group and has around 400 employees.
The
company has about 50,000 sq m of covered warehouse space in Germany, along with
another 18,000 sq m of office and infrastructure space. LUG has more than 60
years of experience in air cargo handling and handles a wide range of cargo
segments.
Its
customers include major international airlines. The Dettmer Group has welcomed
the planned transaction and said LUG aircargo handling is well positioned for
further growth under Lufthansa Cargo’s ownership.
flydubai launches freighter operations
with three wet-leased 737Fs
flydubai announced today the launch of its dedicated freighter operations, marking a significant milestone in the carrier's diversification strategy and reinforcing Dubai's position as a global logistics and trade hub. Starting 01 October 2026, the airline will integrate three Boeing 737-800 freighter aircraft into its fleet through a wet-lease agreement with SolitAir.
Delivering
23,000 kg of additional payload capacity per flight, the dedicated capacity
will complement belly-hold operations across flydubai’s fleet of 98 Boeing 737
passenger aircraft, with significantly greater capacity to follow once its 30
Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft are delivered.
This
initial phase provides immediate main-deck capability ahead of the
fourth-quarter peak season, with plans to evaluate passenger-to-freighter
retrofits from 2029 onwards.
Ghaith
Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “Dubai has established
itself as one of the world's most connected hubs for E-commerce, trade and
logistics, and its ambitions under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 continue to
create new opportunities for businesses to reach global markets.
The
launch of dedicated freighter operations marks an important step in flydubai’s
evolution and reflects our commitment to supporting Dubai's vision through
enhanced trade connectivity and logistics capabilities.
By
building on the strength of our network and expanding our cargo offering and
list of codeshare and interline partners, we are creating new pathways for
businesses to move goods more efficiently, access new markets and contribute to
economic growth across the region and beyond.”
Operating
out of DWC provides flydubai Cargo, the carrier’s cargo division, with
dedicated airside infrastructure and direct multimodal access via Dubai South.
The shift enables point-to-point charter and scheduled freighter capabilities
across more than 125 destinations throughout Africa, Central Asia, the
Caucasus, Central and Southeast Europe, the GCC and the Middle East, South Asia
and Southeast Asia.
The
dedicated aircraft allows for tailored handling of specialised commodity
streams, including aerospace components, temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals,
perishables, live animals, express courier shipments and dangerous goods.
Initial freighter flights will target high-demand regional sectors, scaling
frequency as operational capacity grows.
Hamad
Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, added: “Since 2009, flydubai
has opened more than 100 underserved markets and expanded regional
connectivity. As trade requirements evolve, our partners require guaranteed
main-deck capacity, flexible scheduling and specialised handling.
Establishing
DWC as our freighter hub gives our commercial partners direct access to Dubai's
world-class logistics ecosystem, backed by tailored products designed for
high-value and sensitive cargo.”
Under
Mohamed Hassan, Senior Vice President of Airport Services & Cargo at
flydubai, and Rashid Albashri, Vice President of Cargo at flydubai, the
expansion will transition flydubai Cargo into a full-service logistics
provider, offering both scheduled freight routes and ad-hoc charter solutions
across its expanding global network.
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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