JUPITER SEA & AIR
SERVICES PVT. LTD, EGMORE – CHENNAI, INDIA.
E-MAIL : Robert.sands@jupiterseaair.co.in Mobile : +91 98407 85202
Corporate News
Letter for Friday September 18, 2026
Today’s
Exchange Rates
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128.1421 - 128.5094 |
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110.0271 |
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155.58 |
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0.6162 |
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0.6141 |
0.6184 |
100.22 - 100.367 |
/// Sea Cargo News ///
Chennai
Port Pushes ₹17,000 Crore Outer Harbour Project
Chennai Port Authority is seeking government approval to move ahead with its proposed ₹17,000 crore outer harbour project, aimed at expanding the port’s capacity and strengthening its position as a major maritime gateway for southern India.
The project is expected to create additional
deep-water handling capacity and enable Chennai Port to accommodate larger
vessels, supporting the growth of containerised trade and regional cargo flows.
The proposed outer harbour is part of the
port’s broader expansion strategy as cargo volumes increase and shipping lines
deploy larger vessels on key international routes. Chennai Port is already a
major container gateway on India’s east coast, serving the manufacturing and
export clusters of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states.
The project would also improve Chennai’s
ability to compete with other emerging ports along the east coast, while
supporting better connectivity with global shipping networks.
Approval from the central government will be
a key step before the project can progress toward detailed planning, financing
and implementation. The investment is expected to include major marine
infrastructure such as breakwaters, berths, dredging and associated port
facilities.
The outer harbour is also expected to support
India’s border port-led development strategy, which seeks to improve maritime
infrastructure and reduce logistics costs by expanding Capaci at major
gateways.
For Chennai, the project could provide
additional capacity for future trade growth while strengthening the port’s role
in supporting Tamil Nadu’s automotive, engineering, electronics and
manufacturing export ecosystem.
HaiAn Launches Monthly
Direct Container Service from Chennai to Malaysia, Vietnam and China
HaiAn Shipping is set to launch a monthly direct container service connecting Chennai with key ports in Malaysia, Vietnam and China, strengthening trade connectivity between India and Southeast Asia.
Effective 1 October 2026, HaiAn will deploy a
vessel of approximately 1,700 TEUs on the service, operating on the rotation:
Chennai – Port Klang – Haiphong – Nansha – Haiphong – Port Klang – Chennai
Established in Vietnam in 2009, HaiAn operates across port operations,
container shipping and logistics services.
The company currently operates a fleet of 20
container vessels, with capacities ranging from 800 to 3,500 TEUs and a total
fleet capacity of approximately 33,000 TEUs, serving domestic and intra-Asia
routes.
HaiAn has also developed an integrated
logistics network covering port operations, container shipping, depots and
distribution centres, door-to-door logistics and trucking services.
As part of its fleet expansion strategy,
HaiAn has contracted the construction of two 7,100 TEU container vessels,
scheduled for delivery in June and September 2028. The new vessels are expected
to increase the company’s carrying capacity and support further expansion
across the Asian container shipping market.
Samsara Shipping has been appointed as
HaiAn’s agent in India will provide sales, customer service, documentation and
operational support for the new service across the Indian market.
Fire-hit
Ro-Ro MIN JIANG KOU under salvage operations off Panama
Ro-Ro vessel MIN JIANG KOU, Source: VesselFinder
The fire-hit Ro-Ro vessel MIN JIANG KOU
is undergoing specialised salvage operations in Panamanian waters, according to
the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP).
The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel suffered
a fire while approximately 600 nautical miles from Panama.
The ship is currently unmanned and in
blackout condition, with no electrical power available on board.
Vessel brought into Panamanian waters
Following the incident, the salvage company
handling the operation requested permission to bring MIN JIANG KOU into
Panamanian waters.
The aim is to stabilise the vessel and
establish safe conditions for its eventual transfer to a shipyard in Asia,
according to the AMP.
The authority identified MIN JIANG KOU as a
Ro-Ro vessel designed to transport vehicles, trucks and heavy machinery.
Temperatures rise aboard vessel
On the night of 7 September, higher
temperatures were detected in certain areas of the vessel’s decks.
Cooling operations on the ship’s hull are now
underway.
The AMP said the circumstances surrounding
the temperature increase remain under technical assessment.
A total of three tugs are currently
involved in the response and stabilisation operation.
The Panama Maritime Authority said it
continues to monitor the salvage operation and the vessel’s safety conditions
in coordination with the specialist company handling the incident.
German
port workers weigh new wage offer as indefinite strikes loom
German port workers are considering a new
wage offer following a fourth round of negotiations, with the possibility of
indefinite industrial action looming if employees reject the proposal.
The latest negotiations between the United
Services Trade Union (ver.di) and the Central Association of German Seaport
Operators (ZDS) concluded on Wednesday evening in Hamburg.
The dispute covers around 11,000 employees at
the ports of Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Bremen, Wilhelmshaven, Emden and Brake.
Under the latest proposal, employers have
agreed to a 12-month collective agreement, addressing one of the key issues
raised by ver.di during previous negotiations.
The offer includes a retroactive 3.4% wage
increase, along with additional payments, including measures for employees
working at high-turnover container operations.
Ver.di described the latest proposal as a
slight improvement on the previous offer.
Workers to consider latest offer
Ver.di will now consult port workers over the
new proposal, with the process expected to continue until Monday, 14 September.
The union had previously demanded an 8.2%
increase in hourly wages, or at least €2.50 more per hour, under a 12-month
agreement.
The previous employer proposal included a
5.1% increase in collectively agreed wages and a minimum hourly increase of
€1.20, but had a duration of 18 months.
Workers rejected that proposal by a large
majority, leading to renewed warning strikes at Germany’s major seaports.
Ahead of the fourth negotiating round, ver.di
said the duration of the agreement was a particularly important issue and
called on employers to improve their proposal.
Indefinite strikes possible if offer rejected
The outcome of the latest worker consultation
could determine whether the dispute moves into a significantly more serious
phase.
Ver.di negotiator Sylvi Krisch said that if a
majority votes against accepting the latest offer, the union will proceed with
a qualified membership ballot on launching indefinite industrial action.
Such a move would represent a major
escalation from the warning strikes staged so far during the wage dispute.
Workers have already participated in two
rounds of warning strikes, including 48-hour industrial action earlier this
month that affected operations at Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Bremen, Wilhelmshaven,
Emden and Brake.
At the Port of Hamburg, the latest warning
strike left numerous container cranes idle and affected vessel handling
operations.
The 48-hour action ended on 5 September,
before employers proposed the fourth round of negotiations that took place this
week.
The industry’s attention will now turn to the
outcome of ver.di’s consultation with workers, which is expected to determine
whether negotiations move closer to a settlement or the dispute escalates
towards indefinite strike action.
Port of Los Angeles records busiest three-month cargo stretch
The Port of Los Angeles handled 955,907 TEUs in August, completing the busiest three-month period in its history.
More than 2.9 million TEUs moved
through the port during June, July and August.
August throughput was roughly in line with
the same month last year. However, it stood 6% above the port’s five-year
August average.
Imports exceed 500,000 TEUs
Loaded imports reached 500,302 TEUs in
August. The figure was nearly unchanged from last year and 7% above the
five-year August average.
Loaded exports fell 9% year over year to
115,561 TEUs.
The port also handled 340,044 empty
containers, representing a 4% increase compared with August 2025.
“We’ve put together an exceptionally strong
summer in Los Angeles,” said Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port of Los
Angeles.
Seroka attributed the performance to
resilient consumer demand, early holiday shipments and a broad mix of cargo.
Seven million TEUs handled through August
During the first eight months of 2026, the
Port of Los Angeles handled just over 7 million TEUs.
That was 1.5% higher than the same period
last year and 5% above the port’s five-year pace.
Seroka said September is also expected to be
a strong month.
During the port’s monthly briefing, he also
highlighted the competitive dynamics between US gateways. While trans-Pacific
freight rates currently favour East Coast routings, he said faster cargo and
rail movements through Los Angeles can improve the overall economics for
importers serving inland US markets.
ESL
KHORFAKKAN makes milestone call at Khorfakkan Port
Khorfakkan Port has welcomed ESL
KHORFAKKAN, the first vessel in Emirates Shipping Line’s fleet to carry the
name of the UAE city.
Gulftainer described the call as a milestone
in its longstanding relationship with Emirates Shipping Line (ESL).
Vessel arrives from Far East
According to Gulftainer, ESL KHORFAKKAN
arrived from the Far East via Singapore with approximately 8,000 TEUs.
The company said the vessel’s name recognises
Khorfakkan and its role as a maritime gateway connecting the Middle East with
global markets.
The naming also reflects the relationship
between Gulftainer and ESL at Khorfakkan Port.
Partnership dates back to 2019
The relationship dates back to 2019,
when Khorfakkan Port welcomed the maiden call of ESL’s flagship GALEX (GLX)
service.
Gulftainer said the partnership has continued
to develop since then.
The terminal operator added that Khorfakkan
supports cargo flows and connections with the UAE, the wider Gulf region and
international markets.
18
shipping nations warn of structural shift in global maritime trade
Eighteen major shipping nations have warned that global maritime trade is undergoing a structural shift as conflicts, trade restrictions and growing fragmentation put pressure on established shipping rules.
The Consultative Shipping Group (CSG) said
recent disruptions should no longer be viewed as isolated events.
The group pointed to the Covid-19 pandemic,
the war in Ukraine, drought in the Panama Canal and conflict in the Middle East
as examples of mounting pressure on maritime supply chains.
“These are not episodic shocks; they are
signals of a structural shift in the operating environment of global trade,”
the CSG said.
The group added that shipping routes are
increasingly becoming instruments of leverage and risk.
Shipping rules face growing pressure
The CSG said more than 80% of global trade is
transported by sea, making maritime transport critical to global supply chains,
food security and energy security.
However, uncertainty over access to ports and
shipping routes is making long-term commercial planning more difficult.
According to the group, different national
approaches and discriminatory trade measures can also increase fragmentation.
This could ultimately lead to higher costs
for businesses and consumers.
The CSG stressed that freedom of navigation
remains essential for resilient supply chains and global trade.
Shadow fleet creates parallel shipping system
The group also raised concerns about the
expansion of vessels operating outside standard insurance, safety and
transparency frameworks.
According to the CSG, the so-called shadow
fleet includes hundreds of ships involved in operations that circumvent
sanctions.
The group warned that this is creating
parallel systems within global shipping.
One operates under established international
rules, while another operates with significantly less transparency.
The CSG said this two-tier system increases
risks and can undermine environmental and safety standards.
CSG calls for consistent international rules
Rather than introducing more regulation, the
group called for better alignment and enforcement of existing international
rules.
It highlighted the United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the International Maritime Organization
(IMO) as central elements of the global maritime framework.
The CSG called for existing rules to be
enforced consistently across jurisdictions. It also stressed the need for
greater transparency and information sharing between authorities.
“Defending freedom of navigation therefore
requires a focused and coordinated response grounded in globally recognized
rules,” the group said.
The 18 nations also called on maritime
countries to support freedom of navigation and international maritime
frameworks.
The CSG warned that further fragmentation
could increase the risk of disruption at major maritime chokepoints.
“As the closure of the Strait of Hormuz
demonstrates: When shipping supply chains fragment, the global economy
fragments with it,” the group said.
The Consultative Shipping Group includes
Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, South
Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and
the United Kingdom.
Together, the CSG countries represent around
20% of global deadweight tonnage.
/// Air Cargo News ///
Qatar Cargo
Operates Two Full Boeing 777 Charters from Ahmedabad with 134 Tonnes of
Pharmaceuticals
Two full Boeing 777 freighter charter flights operated by Qatar Airways Cargo have departed from Ahmedabad International Airport, carrying a major shipment of temperature-controlled pharmaceutical products.
The
two charters transported 74 Envirotainers containing 270 pallets of
pharmaceuticals, with a total cargo volume of approximately 134 tonnes. The
shipment was maintained at a controlled temperature range of 2°C to 8°C,
highlighting the critical role of specialised cold-chain infrastructure and GDP-compliant
handling in pharmaceutical air logistics.
The
successful operation involved close coordination among Qatar Airways Cargo,
Envirotainer and Adani Airport Holdings Ltd. – Ahmedabad Aircargo, along with
the airline's air teams and network offices.
Emirates SkyCargo ramps up India
freighter capacity
Emirates
SkyCargo has continued to increase its freighter capacity to India as it looks
to capitalise on growing demand from the country.
The
carrier has recently added weekly freighter services to Chennai, Bengaluru and
Hyderabad in addition to its existing flights to Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
In
total, the airline now offers seven weekly freighter flights to India as well
as 167 weekly passenger flights.
Explaining
the decision to expand capacity to India, the cargo business pointed out that
airfreight is a critical enabler of India’s international trade, facilitating
the movement of high-value, time-sensitive goods to global markets.
The
company added that an estimated 2.2m tonnes of international cargo move through
Indian airports annually.
During
financial year 2025/26, Emirates SkyCargo transported more than 153,000 tonnes
of exports from India, it said.
Major
export commodities transported by the carrier include pharmaceuticals,
perishables, high-tech electronics, engineering and automotive components, as
well as fashion goods.
The
carrier also pointed out that trade growth between India and the UAE has been
on the rise since the two added a trade agreement in 2022.
“With
non-oil trade between the two economies growing at an annual rate of around
15%, Emirates SkyCargo has been supporting these accelerating trade flows,
supporting more than 28,000 tonnes of exports from India to the UAE in FY25/26,
a growth of 24% from the previous year,” the company said.
Badr
Abbas, divisional senior vice president, Emirates SkyCargo, said: “With a
fast-growing economy, the country is strengthening its position as a hub for
manufacturing and production, expanding exports and trade corridors across the
world.
“We
have recently deployed our freighter aircraft to three additional gateways in
India to support customers seamlessly transport their goods to global markets.”
The
carrier said that it also has a Road Feeder Network in the country, which over
the last 12 months had carried more than 4,500 tonnes of import and export
cargo to enable businesses outside of gateway cities to access Emirates
SkyCargo’s global network.
The
additional flights are the second time the carrier has expanded its Indian
freighter network this year. In March, the carrier added extra flights
to Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
UK cargo operations disrupted after air
traffic control issues
UK
air cargo operations are facing disruption after flights were disrupted due to
technical issues with air traffic control systems.
On
8 September, UK air traffic controller NATS’ flight processing system faced
issues which have since been fixed. However, as a result of the issues,
around 2,000 flights were cancelled on 8 and 9 September.
“This
has been a very complex recovery and has created difficulties for the whole
aviation network, from which it will take time to recover,” NATS said in a
statement.
Heathrow,
Gatwick and East Midlands Airport were amongst the airports affected by the
issues.
Virgin
Atlantic Cargo said flights were expected to operate as normal on 9 September,
although there may be some disruption to shipments.
“While
the technical issue affecting the NATS air traffic control system has now been
resolved, recovery across the wider aviation industry is ongoing.
“Virgin
Atlantic expects to operate its planned flying programme on Wednesday 9
September, although some shipments will continue to experience disruption as a
result of the outage on Tuesday 8 September.”
The
cargo business added that teams are prioritising rebooking impacted shipments
and customers should check its track and trace system or the latest status
update.
A
spokesperson for IAG Cargo said: “Following the disruption to our network
caused by the NATS air traffic control systems outage on Tuesday, our teams
have worked hard to minimise the impact felt by our customers.
“Any
affected customers are being rebooked onto the next available service as the
wider operation now recovers.
“We
currently have no booking restrictions in place and cargo can be booked as
normal.”
Meanwhile,
UK forwarder association BIFA warned of ongoing delays to cargo.
BIFA
compliance and external affairs director Pawel Jarza said: “A significant
volume of airfreight is carried in the bellyhold of passenger aircraft, meaning
cancellations, delays and diversions will also have disrupted the movement of
goods and affected the businesses that depend on them.
“Although
the technical issue has been resolved, the knock-on effects are likely to
continue for several days especially for urgent, time-sensitive or specialist
consignments.”
He
said that urgent, perishable, pharma, automotive, technology and high-value
goods were particularly vulnerable to delays.
“BIFA
members will be working closely with airlines, ground handlers, Customs and
their international networks to prioritise shipments, assess alternative routes
and keep customers informed as the situation changes,” he added.
“Once
normal operations have resumed, there will need to be a clear assessment of
what further measures are required to strengthen the resilience of the UK’s
aviation infrastructure.”
According
to data from Rotate, outbound international cargo capacity from London Heathrow
fell to 2,500 tonnes on 8 September compared with 4,200 tonnes a week earlier.
Stansted’s
outbound international cargo capacity dropped to 798 tonnes against 1,000
tonnes, and at East Midlands there was a fall to 1,200 tonnes from 1,400
tonnes.
China Eastern selects WFS after
resuming Stockholm flights
China
Eastern has resumed flights to Stockholm after a six-year absence and has
selected WFS to provide cargo handling services.
The
airline restarted flights between Shanghai Pudong and Arlanda in June, flying
three times per week utilising Airbus A330 metal.
In
line with the resumption of flights, the company signed a three-year deal with
handler WFS, which previously acted as the airline’s cargo handler in Sweden.
The
flights operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays and are expected to carry
around 1,000 tonnes of cargo between the cities each year.
The
airline stopped operating to the airport as a result of the Covid pandemic.
WFS
Sweden managing director Kim Elfström said: “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.
“We
look forward to supporting China Eastern’s return to Sweden and its future
growth on this important route.”
WFS
operates two cargo terminals at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, covering a footprint
of over 18,000 sq m and including its new Good Distribution Practice
(GDP)-certified pharma handling facilities and road transport services.
The
company now provides cargo handling and trucking services for over 20
international airlines and freight forwarding clients.
In
the last 12 months in Stockholm, WFS has also renewed its cargo contract with
Singapore Airlines and won a new handling agreement with Norse Atlantic
Airways.
Indonesian airports reopen after
volcanic eruption
Air
cargo supply chains from Indonesia are in recovery mode after a volcanic
eruption over the weekend resulted in the closure of many of the country’s
major airports.
Anak
Krakatau, which is located in the Sunda Strait between Java and Sumatra, began
erupting on Friday and spewed out ash for much of the weekend, resulting in the
closure of eight airports in the country, including Indonesia’s main airfreight
gateway, Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta.
Soekarno-Hatta,
along with four other airports have since reopened, but the closure is expected
to have caused major disruption to the country’s air cargo operations.
Freight
forwarder Atlantic Pacific said it could take some time for air cargo
operations to recover.
“Even
once airports reopen, airlines will need time to restore aircraft rotations,
reposition crews and clear accumulated cargo backlogs,” the forwarder said.
“This
could lead to slower recovery times, reduced short-term capacity and missed
onward connections.”
This
view was echoed by Global Logistics Freight Solutions: “The impact on
airfreight will not necessarily end with the reopening of the airports.
“Cargo
that was due to travel during the closure will need to be rebooked or
accommodated on restored services. Aircraft and crews have been displaced from
their planned rotations, and airlines must inspect 178 aircraft that were
grounded at Soekarno-Hatta.
“This
can create pressure on available capacity and lead to delayed uplift, missed
onward connections and cargo rollovers over the coming days.”
UK
forwarder Unique Forwarding warned of knock-on effects at other airports.
“Although
no airports outside Indonesia have closed, freight moving to or from the UK
through regional hubs such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Doha could experience
knock-on delays as airlines reposition aircraft and work through disrupted
schedules,” the company said.
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.
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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