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Gulf crisis sees Jebel Ali crash out of top 30 box port ranks after 20 years

It took just six months for Jebel Ali to crash out of the top 30 container ports ranks, after more than two decades among the 10 busiest gateways in the world, as the impact of the US/Israel war on Iran continues. Alphaliner's half-year assessment of box port standings is bleak reading for gateways on the west side of the Persian Gulf, with Abu Dhabi's Khalifa dropping out of the top 50, having occupied 32 place in the list. "Renewed disruption in Hormuz, which resulted in a near shutdown of the waterway from March onwards and only a partial and unstable reopening in June saw volumes plummet over 90% at Dubai's Jebel Ali to just 374,000 teu in Q2," Alphaliner said. "Combined with a Q1 decline of 23%, Dubai's flagship port handled 3.14m teu in the first six months of the year, less than half the 7.77m teu recorded a year earlier. As a result, the port fell out of the top 30, dropping from 10 to 32." Khalifa's disappointing performance is in strong contrast to where it was just a year ago, when a year-on-year volume surge saw it handling some 21.4% more than it had in 2024, putting it in a position to challenge Lianyungang for a spot in the top 30. For its part, Lianyungang has shown no great shakes, reporting flat to marginal growth, but doing just enough to retain its position from last year, albeit leaving it well short of the average 3.7% growth rate recorded across the 11 Chinese ports in the top 30. Alphaliner noted: "With strong export growth driven by hi-tech and manufactured goods, plus a successful diversification drive, volumes at China's seaports reached 161m teu in the period, a rise of 5.8% and a new six-month record. It added that "while exports to the US rose just 4%, China reported increased shipments to Africa, Latin America, Europe, and South-east Asia", which climbed 30%, 14%, 10%, and 9% respectively. Although in terms of growth rates, South Asia was the standout star, with Sri Lanka's Colombo and India's Nhava Sheva climbing 11.9% and 13.6% year on year respectively, as carriers and shippers sought alternatives to the Gulf routings. But with Colombo's 4.4m teu and Nhava Sheva handling just over 4m teu, both are a long way off challenging for a spot among the biggest players, given Singapore and Ningbo-Zhousan both handle some 22m teu a year and Shanghai handles 28.7m teu. "Sri Lanka's leading port saw stronger transhipment demand as well as new capacity at its Colombo West International Terminal, which cut congestion and attracted additional volumes," Alphaliner said. It pointed out: "Nhava Sheva also benefited from India's strong export growth, and expansion through the Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal and Nhava Sheva Freeport."

ILT fines DHL, El Al, and Turkish Airlines over aircraft noise at night

DHL, El Al, and Turkish Airlines have been issued with financial penalties over night flights involving noisy aircraft at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. The Aviation Authority of the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT-Aviation Authority) in the Netherlands imposed the penalties in the last 10 months, said a press release issued by the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate on 26 August. The airlines did not comply with the rules at Schiphol Airport to limit noise, which restrict the number of flights at night, between the hours of 11pm and 7am, and include a ban on certain older freighters from operating during these hours. DHL, El Al, and Turkish Airlines did not abide by the rules, despite a prior warning. "In the first half of the operating year (1 November 2025 to 1 June 2026), the aviation authority of the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT-Aviation Authority) found that three airlines violated this prohibition, despite a prior warning. These are DHL, El Al, and Turkish Airlines. For this, these airlines have been issued a Penalty Payment Order (LOD)," said the Inspectorate. In the event of future infractions, the airlines will be required to pay €17,000 per violation, up to a maximum of €170,000. The restrictions on night flights and noisy aircraft are intended to limit nighttime noise disturbance for residents living near Schiphol. From 1 November 2025, the Dutch government introduced a limit of 478,000 annual aircraft movements, including a maximum of 27,000 night movements. But in March this year, the Dutch Council of State annulled the amended Airport Traffic Decree (LVB) that had imposed the annual flight cap. Since 1 November 2025, an aircraft may not take off from or land at Schiphol between 23:00 and 07:00 if it is a Chapter 3, 4 or 14 aircraft with a cumulative noise margin below -13 EPNdB. Aircraft primarily affected include versions of older cargo and passenger aircraft such as the Boeing B737-800, B737-900, or B747-400 and the Airbus A320, A321, or A330-200.

Mammoth delivers its first 777-200 conversion to Jetran

Mammoth Freighters has delivered its first converted Boeing 777-200LRMF freighter to Texas-based lessor Jetran ahead of the aircraft joining DHL's UK operation. The aircraft (MSN 32222) is the first of more than two dozen Mammoth 777-200LRMF freighters ordered by Jetran, 13 of which will be placed into revenue service within the DHL global network. Additional deliveries from Jetran's order book -- including aircraft bound for DHL and Qatar Airways -- are scheduled for the coming weeks. "This delivery is a defining moment for Mammoth Freighters," said Bill Tarpley, chief executive of Mammoth Freighters. "Seeing this aircraft transition from its public debut -- and pending entry into revenue service with DHL -- demonstrates the immense momentum behind our 777 programme. "We are proud to deliver this milestone freighter to Jetran and deeply appreciate their trust as we continue supplying the market with one of the world's most capable, converted cargo platforms." Jordan Jaffe, chief executive of Jetran, added: "Taking delivery of our first Mammoth 777 freighter represents far more than a fleet expansion -- it validates the exceptional engineering and production quality of this programme as it enters active service with DHL. "This delivery is the culmination of years of joint innovation, and we look forward to watching these freighters deliver enduring value for operators worldwide." In July, the aircraft made its public debut at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK. DHL said four of the 13 converted aircraft it is leasing are planned to enter service this year. These 777-200LRMFs will join DHL Express' global air network as part of long-term fleet modernisation plans. The first aircraft has been placed with DHL Air UK. The aircraft displayed at Farnborough was converted in Manchester and the modification work included the installation of a large maindeck cargo door and advanced cargo handling systems. Mammoth Freighters received Supplemental Type Certification (STC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its 777-200LRMF in April. The certification paved the way for Mammoth to begin aircraft deliveries to launch customer Qatar Airways Cargo, which has an agreement for five of the aircraft with Jetran.