Iran War: Expensive Oil Drives Rising Inflation in U.S.
The ongoing Iran‑War has choked oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing diesel prices up 55% year‑to‑date and sparking a sharp energy‑price shock. In March, the energy component of the CPI jumped 10.9%, while the gasoline index surged 21.2%—the largest monthly rise since the series began in 1967. These fuel‑price spikes accounted for roughly a quarter of the 0.9% month‑over‑month increase in overall U.S. inflation, which now sits at a 12‑month pace of 3.3%.
AI Is Redefining First-Time Jobs
Artificial intelligence, especially agentic AI, is prompting roughly half of companies to eliminate or plan to eliminate entry‑level positions. Surveys show 21% of firms have already frozen hiring, 36% will do so by year‑end, and 47% expect a halt by...
TD Cowen: 26% of Carriers Would Use AI Instead of Freight Brokers
TD Cowen’s first‑quarter carrier survey shows 26% of U.S. trucking firms would replace human freight brokers with AI‑driven load‑booking tools, while another 40% would rely on AI for simpler shipments. The remaining 28% prefer to keep brokers for all loads,...
Planet-Friendly Logistics
In February the U.S. government repealed the EPA’s 2009 Endangerment Finding, stripping the agency of authority to regulate greenhouse‑gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. Despite this policy reversal, the logistics sector—particularly maritime shipping—continues to pursue decarbonization, with the International...
Report: Robot Density Surges in Europe, Asia, and the Americas
The International Federation of Robotics reports that Western Europe achieved a record robot density of 267 units per 10,000 employees in 2024, outpacing North America (204) and Asia (131). Eight Western European nations rank among the global top‑20, with Germany,...
3PL Turns a Pain Point Into a Selling Point
RJ Logistics, a woman‑owned 3PL in Michigan, struggled with cross‑border shipment visibility in Mexico, relying on manual check calls that slowed response times and taxed staff. The company implemented Rectangle’s universal API, automatically feeding GPS data into its McLeod TMS...
Truckstop.com Acquires Heavy Haul Rating Specialist Wize Load
Truckstop.com has acquired heavy‑haul rating specialist Wize Load and rebranded the service as Truckstop Heavy Haul Rates. The new platform consolidates lane data, permit rules and equipment requirements, giving brokers a faster way to price open‑deck, heavy‑haul and over‑dimensional shipments. By...
Gartner: AI-Assistant Software Soon to Enter Fast Growth Phase
Gartner forecasts that AI‑assistant supply chain management software will surge from under $2 billion in 2025 to $53 billion in spend by 2030. The market will shift from early adoption to a fast‑growth phase as providers deploy simple AI agents to automate...
Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum Hit European Machine Producers
The Trump administration implemented a flat 25% tariff on most European‑made machinery starting April 6, with a future 50% rate slated for steel‑heavy products. A limited 15% relief applies only to certain equipment, such as injection molding machines, until December 31 2027. The...
Iran War: Global Airfreight Pricing Continues to Rise
The Iran‑War‑driven closure of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed jet fuel prices above $2 per gallon, more than doubling since February. Higher jet fuel costs have become the primary driver of rising global air‑freight rates, which reached a new...
U.S. Flatbed Truck Freight Rate Jumps to Largest Weekly Increase in over a Decade
U.S. flatbed truck freight rates jumped 11 cents to $2.55 per mile for the week ending April 4, marking the biggest weekly rise in more than a decade. The level is the highest seen in four years and sits $0.40 above...
Report: Global Freight Markets Rocked by Iran War Effects
The Iran War has triggered a freight‑market shock, with jet fuel prices soaring to $197 a barrel and air, ocean and rail rates climbing sharply. Dimerco’s April 2026 Asia‑Pacific Freight Report shows air freight up 20‑50% and rail container fees...
Survey: Manufacturing Workers Are Skeptical of Adopting AI
A PwC‑Manufacturing Institute survey of over 100 manufacturing leaders reveals deep skepticism toward AI on the shop floor. While 48% rate frontline leaders as effective, 54% lack confidence in those leaders’ ability to steer AI change, and 62% of workers...
In Person Interview: Sai Shivareddy of Nyobolt
Nyobolt CEO Sai Shivareddy says the battery market is booming, with global revenue projected to rise from $154 billion in 2025 to $555 billion by 2033. The company’s fast‑charging cells deliver super‑capacitor power density while retaining lithium‑ion energy, offering ten‑times longer cycle...
Smaller “Shallow-Bay” Warehouse Space Sees Rising Demand
Demand for shallow‑bay industrial space—buildings under 50,000 sq ft with 14‑28 ft clear heights—is accelerating as service‑oriented and last‑mile users seek smaller formats. Vacancy rates for these properties have fallen below the broader industrial average, creating a tight market where rents have risen...
