Trendwatch: Panama Canal extends long-term slot system to panamax locks; Major hubs unaffected by jet fuel supply issues; Middle East oil exports top pre-war levels for part of September but tanker attacks increase

Panama Canal extends long-term slot system to panamax locks

The Panama Canal is extending its long-term slot allocation programme to the Panamax locks for the first time as it looks to give more customers greater certainty through the coming dry season.

The new Long-term Slot Allocation, or LoTSA, phase will cover January 3 to April 3, 2027, with the established neopanamax system running alongside a new panamax pilot.

Major hubs unaffected by jet fuel supply issues

While jet fuel prices have remained a concern for the air cargo industry, there hasn’t been a shortage of fuel at any major airport hubs that has curbed passenger or cargo operations, shows analysis from Cirium.

Mike Malik, chief industry officer at the aviation analytics company, said that predictions of airlines having to ground fleets and airports having to close because of fuel shortages have not materialised, although there have been some cases of smaller airports being greatly impacted.

Middle East oil exports top pre-war levels for part of September but tanker attacks increase

Gulf oil exporters topped pre-war levels for about half of September, shipping data showed on Monday, though attacks on tankers and logistical constraints cloud the outlook for sustained higher flows.

Ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz face a "heightened and increasingly unpredictable kinetic threat" given the recent sharp increase in traffic, Marisks, a shipping intelligence service, said on Saturday.

Hapag-Lloyd’s Zim takeover heads for reset as Israel requires new review

Hapag-Lloyd’s $4.2 billion acquisition of Zim Integrated Shipping Services remains in limbo after Israel’s Government Companies Authority ended its review of the original transaction structure, requiring the German carrier and its Israeli partner to advance a materially revised proposal through a new review process. 

The companies are seeking to preserve the late-2026 closing target, but Israeli maritime-security requirements and a new shareholder challenge have added uncertainty to the deal’s path.

China Arctic service container ship returns to Asia via Suez

The Dubai Tower the first container ship on Sea Legend’s weekly Arctic service between China and Europe is returning to Asia via the Suez Canal rather than the Northern Sea Route (NSR).

The first of eight weekly voyages between China and Europe scheduled by Chinese carrier Sea Legend the transits between Ningbo – Zhoushan and the UK created considerable media and market interest.

South Africa Approves Move to Set Up Independent Port Authority

The South African government is continuing efforts to move forward with its pledge to improve the operations of its beleaguered commercial ports. The cabinet last week approved a measure that sets the stage for separating the administration of the country’s eight commercial ports into a stand-alone government-owned company.

Japan Airlines and Nippon Express launch Asia-North America routes

Japan Airlines (JAL) and Nippon Express have launched a transport partnership covering intra-Asia and North America-Asia routes to meet growing demand for movement of AI and semiconductor-related goods.

The service operates on a round-trip circuit originating in Los Angeles and routing via Tokyo’s Narita, Taiwan’s Taipei (Taoyuan), Singapore and Narita before returning to Los Angeles.

NMIA announces corrective measures after trade concerns

Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL) has responded to the Brihanmumbai Customs Brokers' Association (BCBA) over the operational problems at its cargo terminal, apologising for the inconvenience and announcing a set of corrective measures, including a demurrage waiver until 15 October.

The response follows BCBA's letter to the Chief Commissioner of Customs and Challenge Group's decision to suspend its freighter flights to NMIA, both of which cited operational difficulties at the airport.