Air Cargo & Trade Links: ProCharter Aviation launched four weekly direct cargo corridors from Nairobi to Mogadishu, Kismayo, Djibouti and Juba, offering consolidation and freighter charters to speed FMCG and e-commerce flows into East Africa and onward to Europe and the Gulf. Maritime Security (Djibouti corridor): The IMO urged urgent action to free 44 seafarers held by Somali pirates, citing dire conditions on three hijacked vessels (MT Honour 25, Eureka, Sward) as attacks rise across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment: Djibouti’s DCoC/JA chair warned conditions aboard MT HONOUR 25 have worsened after two months in captivity, with unsafe water, food reduced to rice, and crew health problems. Anti-piracy operations near Djibouti: India’s INS Trikand and MARCOS foiled a piracy attempt on MV Golden Arsenal about 300 nautical miles east-northeast of Djibouti; the 21 crew were kept safe and the ship was secured for continued transit. Regional shipping risk (Hormuz): Germany said Iran should ultimately pay for mine clearance in the Strait of Hormuz, while also signaling it may recall Djibouti-deployed vessels if legal and security conditions aren’t met soon.