Today's Supply Chain Pulse
Half of Hormuz oil flow restored as US pledges full reopening
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said roughly 7 million barrels per day have resumed flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, representing half of the volume stranded when the waterway was effectively shut. He pledged that the United States will fully reopen the strait, with or without Iran’s assistance.
Also developing:
By the numbers: EasyGroup acquires Svelta Courier to launch easyCourier
FMC Orders Record Payback by Shipping Line for Unfair Fees During Covid
U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a record $45.6 million award against Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) for breaching service contracts and retaliating against the bankrupt Bed, Bath & Beyond administrator, Butterfly‑1. The decision follows three years of investigations into OOCL’s pandemic‑era practices, including failure to meet minimum volume commitments and excessive detention and demurrage charges. FMC also cited similar violations by other carriers, filing claims against BAL Container Lines, Evergreen, HMM, MSC and Yang Ming. The ruling signals a potential wave of litigation as shippers seek compensation for COVID‑related unfair fees.
Will the EU’s Electricity Tax Plans Be of Any Help to Rail Freight?
The European Commission’s AccelerateEU package proposes capping electricity taxes at the level of diesel taxes to protect rail freight’s cost base amid the EU energy crisis. Rail freight advocates argue that lower electricity taxes would boost the sector’s competitiveness against...
Russian Oil Update – New Customers, Improved Well Returns
Russia’s oil sector is rebounding despite a sustained drone campaign, as new‑well economics improve and the buyer pool expands. China, India and Indonesia have become active importers, marking the first widening of Russia’s customer base in years. New‑well break‑even prices...
Door Open for Taiwan to Enter 'Non-Red' EU Drone Supply Chain: Expert
European policymakers are wrestling with fragmented economic‑security authority, making it difficult to build a unified "non‑red" drone supply chain that limits reliance on China. Experts say the split between EU‑wide trade rules and national defence control creates policy gaps that...
AI Export Controls Are Not the Best Bargaining Chip
The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee advanced export‑control bills and the Chip Security Act aims to block advanced chips from reaching China, treating semiconductors as the AI chokepoint. Analysts argue that this hardware‑centric view is outdated because AI progress now...
Mercuria Adds VLCCs and Bulkers as Year-to-Date Newbuilding Spree Reaches $1bn
Mercuria Energy Group has placed orders for two very large crude carriers (VLCCs) and a series of Kamsarmax bulkers, bringing its 2026 new‑building spend to roughly $1 billion. The new contracts follow a first‑quarter push that added about $700 million in tanker...
Salesforce Expands Beyond the Front Office with Agentforce Operations
Salesforce unveiled Agentforce Operations, an AI‑driven platform that automates back‑office tasks such as auditing, onboarding, and invoice processing. The company says the solution can cut cycle times by up to 70% and eliminate 80% of manual data‑entry work. Built on...
Saudia Cargo Announces Critical Medicine Logistics Initiative
Saudia Cargo has launched a joint initiative with the Saudi Food and Drug Authority to reinforce pharmaceutical and medical supply chains across the Kingdom. The program offers upgraded handling facilities and shipping cost reductions of up to 50%, aiming to...
Goldman Sachs Hikes Oil Forecasts Amid Hormuz Shutdown
"Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted oil-price forecasts as the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz spurs 'extreme' inventory draws." -BBG
Why the Ideal Magnet Remains Out of Reach
Researchers worldwide seek a cost‑effective permanent magnet that avoids rare earths, a goal that would break China’s near‑monopoly and reshape supply chains. After a decade of classical computing attempts, a Franco‑American team led by Alice & Bob, backed by a $3.9 million...
Exploring Armada’s Recipe for Resilience & High-Performing Teams with Kim Hadlum, VP of Inventory Planning at Armada Supply Chain Solutions
In this episode of Unpacked, Insights, VP of Inventory Planning Kim Hadlam discusses how Armada Supply Chain Solutions builds resilient, high‑performing teams for restaurant clients. She highlights the unique challenges of food‑service inventory—perishability, yield variability, and a vast SKU mix—and...
Awery Scoops a Fifth Hackathon Win
Awery Aviation Software clinched its fifth IATA ONE Record hackathon title by unveiling Voyager, a tool that delivers real‑time visibility of cargo shipment milestones. The Hong Kong‑based competition challenged developers to build solutions that integrate with the ONE Record data‑sharing standard,...
White Smoke for an EU-US Mineral Deal
After years of talks, the EU and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding and a Joint Action Plan on critical minerals, introducing a border‑adjusted price floor and rapid‑response mechanisms aimed at curbing China’s market dominance. The agreement also...
Autonics CT Series Counter/Timers From AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has added the Autonics CT series counter/timers to its catalog, offering a fast‑setup solution for counting, timing and batching tasks. The units can be programmed directly from front‑panel pushbuttons, with select models supporting RS‑485 communication through Autonics DAQMaster software....
IronHorse ES1 AC Drives From AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has launched the IronHorse ES1 series of AC drives, targeting 0.75‑to‑2 hp three‑phase motors while accepting a single‑phase 120 V or 230 V input. The drives are built in the USA, feature a hardware‑only setup with trim pots for speed, current limit,...
5 Big Energy Stories: Starving Iran, Transiting the Strait, Exposing Congressional Fools, and More
President Trump has directed senior aides to prepare an extended naval blockade of Iran, aiming to choke the regime’s oil exports and force a nuclear capitulation. The move follows a cease‑fire that ended major bombing campaigns in early April. Blockade...
US Commits $774m to Upgrade Port Infrastructure Nationwide
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration announced a $774 million investment to modernize port infrastructure across the nation. Funding will support 37 projects spanning coastal, Great Lakes, and inland river ports, focusing on rail tunnel expansions, advanced screening technology, two‑tier...
Equipment Fraud: The Scams Targeting Food and Drink Manufacturers
Equipment fraud is emerging as a hidden threat for food and drink manufacturers, exploiting urgent maintenance and procurement processes. The most common schemes involve inflated or duplicate invoices, payment‑detail diversion scams, and conflicts of interest that can trigger Bribery Act...
Wilson Sons Pilots Drone Delivery for Offshore Operations
Brazilian maritime logistics leader Wilson Sons has begun a proof‑of‑concept trial using Speedbird Aero drones to deliver and retrieve documents for offshore supply vessels in Guanabara Bay. The unmanned aircraft, approved by Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency and the Department...
Watkin Jones Forward-Buying Materials to Mitigate Against Cost Inflation
Watkin Jones announced it is forward‑buying construction materials and securing subcontractors early to shield against potential cost spikes linked to the Middle East conflict. The London‑based contractor, the UK’s 54th‑largest by turnover, also flagged heightened interest‑rate uncertainty but expects half‑year...
Market Views: Shipping Strategies in a World of Conflict and Change
In a recent DNV Market Views episode, NYK Group Europe’s Carl‑Johan Hagman discussed how shipowners must adapt to heightened geopolitical turbulence. He evaluated the International Maritime Organization’s consensus‑based regulatory framework, noting its strengths and limitations amid fast‑moving crises. Hagman emphasized...
Arrive AI Deploys NVIDIA Tech for Autonomous Delivery Training
Arrive AI announced it is using NVIDIA’s Isaac Sim and Blackwell‑based GPU workstations to accelerate training of its autonomous delivery systems. The physics‑based simulation platform creates labeled data in virtual environments, allowing parallel model training without extensive field collection. The...
Nomad Foods to Close Factory in Switzerland
Nomad Foods announced it will close its Rorschach manufacturing plant in Switzerland by year‑end, impacting 45 full‑time staff. The shutdown is part of a €200 m ($233 m) operational savings program targeting 2026‑2028, focusing on procurement, logistics and overhead efficiencies. Production of...
South Korea Offers Shippers a Helping Hand with Freight Rate Discounts
South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) have launched a three‑pronged support scheme that offers 10‑20% discounts on full‑container‑load sea freight, LCL discounts on more than 20 routes via Samsung SDS, and...
Decoupling Inventory: Protecting Orders With Strategic Supplies
In this episode of the MRP Easy Manufacturing Podcast, host(s) explain decoupling inventory—a strategy of placing buffer stock of sub‑assemblies and work‑in‑process between production stages to absorb equipment failures, supplier delays, or demand spikes. They differentiate it from safety stock...
The Railway Project Between Oman and the United Arab Emirates Is 40% Complete
Hafeet Rail, a joint venture of Etihad Rail, Oman Rail and Mubadala Investment, announced that the 238‑kilometre railway linking Oman and the United Arab Emirates is 40% complete. Construction is underway at key nodes such as Al Ain, Al Buraimi, Sohar and...
General Mills Faces Setback in Supply Chain Sustainability Push
General Mills reported a slowdown in its supply‑chain emissions reductions for fiscal 2025, cutting total greenhouse‑gas output by 14% versus a 19% decline the prior year. The dip stems from a 3% rise in operational emissions after adding electricity use...
Geely Taps Volvo’s EU Plants to Propel Regional Expansion
Geely announced it will expand production of its brands at Volvo Cars' European factories rather than build new plants, leveraging spare capacity in Sweden, Belgium and Slovakia. The move addresses China's severe automotive overcapacity and avoids the 28.8% import tariffs...
COSCO SHIPPING Ports Reports Solid Q1 Growth as Throughput Nears 39 Million TEU
COSCO SHIPPING Ports posted solid Q1 2026 growth, handling 38.9 million TEU, up 8.9% YoY. Revenue rose 10.3% to $420.9 million and profit to $85.6 million, up 2%. Growth was driven by non‑controlling terminals (+10.6% throughput) and overseas assets (+19.8%)....
Gulf Crisis a Blip in India’s Airfreight Growth, Claim Bullish Stakeholders
India’s international air‑cargo volumes fell 6% YoY in April as Gulf airport closures disrupted routes, but the sector still posted a 5.4% annual increase for FY 2025‑26. Chennai Airport led the surge with a 12% freight rise, while Ahmedabad logged a...
Russian LNG Update – Taking the Long Way Around
On March 3, 2026 a maritime drone struck the 130,000‑m³ Arctic Metagaz vessel, part of Russia’s shadow fleet serving the Arctic LNG‑2 project, forcing the crew to abandon ship. The incident underscored heightened security risks in the Mediterranean and prompted...
Iran Shuts Hormuz, Oil Markets Wobble, Rial Crashes
🇮🇷 Iran Intel Brief | Geopolitical Brief ─────── Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil supplies and impacting European energy security. The Iranian rial hits a record low of 1,672,500 per U.S. dollar on the open market. EU requires any peace deal...
Trump's Hormuz Blockade Threatens Global Supply Chains
Trump. Extend Hormuz blockade. With no care of what it means. What will global supply chains do? And the global economy?
The Changing Economics of Renewable Electricity Procurement
Corporate electricity procurement is evolving from a back‑office sustainability task into a strategic, finance‑driven decision. Companies across transport, retail, hospitality and other sectors face rising demand from fleet electrification and tighter scrutiny of renewable claims. Uncertainty around Renewable Energy Guarantees...
Higher Tariffs Drive Importers to Smuggle Plywood
"The Plywood Smuggling Ring That Ensnared a Building-Products Giant" https://t.co/jK6i2JcEW7 "The yearslong plywood smuggling saga shows the lengths to which some importers will go to skirt duties and tariffs" More tariffs = more evasion. https://t.co/t50j64SDNJ
Chinese EVs Already Rolling in El Paso Amid Ban Push
I covet a Chinese EV. The U.S. wants to ban China’s high-tech, low-cost cars. They’re already here in El Paso. https://t.co/rMpBgCaqPG
Charter Market Benefits From Tonnage Shortage in ‘Fully Employed’ Box Ship Fleet
Container shipping remains effectively at full employment despite the Gulf conflict, with commercially idle capacity dropping to 0.7% of global tonnage. Alphaliner reports that at least 58 containerships, representing roughly 310,000 TEU, have been diverted or sheltered, tightening supply further....
Modern TMS: Real‑Time Tracking, Reaction, and Rerouting
Most people think a TMS is a planning tool. Something that gets goods from A to B. That description was accurate 20 years ago. Today's TMS tracks, reacts, reroutes, and manages execution in real time. Descartes' Elmer Spruijt explains what's changed 🎧 https://t.co/TraZI2qUVe
Shahi Exports to Scale Cotton Pre-Treatment Technology
Shahi Exports, one of India’s largest garment manufacturers, has teamed up with US‑based Innovo Fiber to commercialize a low‑impact cotton pre‑treatment process. Pilot trials demonstrated roughly a 25% reduction in water usage and a 49% cut in steam consumption. The...
Building Bharat’s Commerce Backbone: The Team Behind Shiprocket’s Rise
Shiprocket, founded by Saahil Goel, Gautam Kapoor and Akshay Ghulati, has evolved from a simple shipping‑aggregation tool into a full‑stack commerce platform that powers checkout, fulfillment, ads and cross‑border logistics for millions of Indian sellers. The leadership team, augmented by...
DSV’s Q1 Air Volumes See Continued Boost From Schenker Takeover
DSV reported 518,000 tonnes of airfreight in Q1 2026, a 55% year‑on‑year increase driven primarily by the Schenker acquisition and strong demand from technology and semiconductor customers. Air revenue rose to DKK 20.2 bn (≈ $2.8 bn), up 48%, while the Air & Sea...
Tender for Signalling on Madrid’s C-5 Commuter Line
Adif announced a €32 million (≈ $35 million) tender to replace signaling equipment on Madrid’s 20.7‑km C‑5 commuter line, covering 11 stations between Embajadores and Móstoles‑El Soto. The upgrade will install LED signals, fiber‑optic cables, new track circuits and the Asfa Digital traffic‑management system,...
India Decries Attacks on Commercial Vessels in Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Shipping Threats
India’s UN envoy Yojna Patel labeled recent attacks on commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz as “deplorable,” underscoring the flashpoint’s impact on energy and trade. The remarks come as the U.S. expands sanctions on Iran’s shadow banking and shipping...
Shahi Exports, Innovo Fiber Scale Tech for Low-Impact Cotton Processing
Shahi Exports has teamed with Fibre52, the biotech arm of Innovo Fiber, to launch the world’s largest industrial‑scale deployment of a low‑impact cotton pretreatment system. The drop‑in, low‑temperature process replaces caustic soda with ZDHC MRSL v3.1 and OEKO‑TEX‑approved chemistries, preserving...
Is This the only Container Ship Trading Through Strait of Hormuz?
The Antigua‑Barbuda flagged container ship Paya Lebar, owned by SeaLead Shipping, transited the Strait of Hormuz westbound on 13 April and eastbound on 28 April, despite a March advisory that halted such passages. While in the Arabian Gulf, the vessel called at...
The Strategic Investments Expanding CDMO Capabilities for HPAPIs and ADCs
Contract development and manufacturing organisations (CDMOs) are accelerating investments to meet soaring demand for highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients (HPAPIs) and antibody‑drug conjugates (ADCs). The focus is on backward integration, high‑containment infrastructure, and advanced processing such as chromatography and lyophilisation...
Rare‑Earth Mine Runoff Threatens Mekong Basin, Endangering $10 Billion Rice Export Industry
Upstream rare‑earth mining in Myanmar and Laos is releasing arsenic, mercury, lead and cadmium into Mekong tributaries, sparking a health crisis for 70 million river‑dependent people and threatening Thailand’s $10 billion rice export sector. Local officials and scientists warn that without regional...
ArcBest Posts $1 Million Q1 Loss as Freight Market Stresses Continue
ArcBest (ARCB) posted a $1.04 million net loss for the first quarter, down from a $3.13 million profit a year earlier, even as revenue rose to $998.8 million. The Fort Smith‑based carrier blamed severe winter weather, higher fuel prices and a volatile freight environment,...
The US Mint Is Producing Tainted Coins
The U.S. Mint’s gold‑coin program generates roughly $3.5 billion in annual sales, driven by collectors and investors. A Reagan‑era statute mandates that the gold used be sourced from natural deposits within the United States. Investigations reveal that up to 20% of...
Aerios Teams up with Wiremind to Tackle Cargo Loadability Issues
Aerios has integrated Wiremind Cargo’s Skypallet optimisation tool into its charter quoting app, enabling real‑time cargo loadability checks. The system flags size, weight and density issues at the quotation stage, eliminating manual hand‑offs between sales and loadmaster teams. By delivering...