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
EU Starts Roll Out of Russian LNG Import Ban at Tricky Time
The EU began prohibiting spot‑market purchases of Russian LNG on April 25, 2026, while allowing existing long‑term contracts to run through year‑end. The ban removes roughly 2.8‑3.5 million tonnes of Russian LNG annually, about 3 % of Europe’s total LNG imports, and aims to further cut the bloc’s 12 % reliance on Russian gas. The move comes as the Middle‑East conflict has driven benchmark gas prices up 40 %, tightening supplies ahead of winter. Europe now faces a race to refill storage amid heightened competition with Asian buyers.
The Oil Futures Market Is Lying to Us
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has forced the removal of roughly 500 million barrels from global oil inventories, a pace that could top a billion barrels by June. While Brent futures have rebounded above $100, long‑dated contracts are rising...
Top Links 1083 China Investing in Batteries, India in Dockyards. Big Cuts in Big Tech & "Talking with Sartre".
China’s foreign‑direct investment (FDI) surged this year, driven primarily by a wave of battery‑related projects that signal a strategic push into clean‑energy manufacturing. India, meanwhile, redirected capital toward its dockyard sector, earmarking billions to modernize ports and boost maritime logistics....
Procter & Gamble Posts >3% Organic Sales Growth in Q3 2026, Flags $1 B Cost Headwind
Procter & Gamble announced more than 3% organic sales growth for the third quarter of fiscal 2026, buoyed by volume gains and modest price increases across all regions. The consumer‑goods giant also warned of a roughly $1 billion after‑tax cost headwind...
Unusual Machines Jumps 4% on $5 Million Powerus Order, Reviving Trader Interest
Unusual Machines (UMAC) surged 4% after reporting a $5 million contract with Powerus for counter‑UAS components. The rebound follows a 9% slide in March and has attracted momentum traders looking for a tactical entry point in the small‑cap drone sector.
The Boxery Mulls Fast‑Ship Packaging Service to Speed Up E‑commerce Fulfillment
The Boxery, a multi‑warehouse e‑commerce packaging supplier, is reviewing a fast‑ship program that would provide warehouse‑backed, in‑stock boxes with same‑day processing for eligible orders. The proposal targets marketplace sellers who need rapid replenishment during sales spikes, seasonal surges or unexpected...
Sanctions Block Russian LNG, Not Crude, Through Red Sea
Explain this: The green arrows in the Red Sea show tankers carrying Russian crude oil. The second image shows the same area with no arrows at all — indicating zero LNG carriers passing through. The third image shows...
Skydio Commits $3.5 B to Build U.S. Drone Manufacturing Hub
Skydio announced a $3.5 billion investment to expand domestic drone manufacturing, targeting on‑shoring of motors, batteries and microchips. The move, backed by White House tech adviser Michael Kratsios, aims to cut U.S. reliance on Chinese supply chains and create thousands of...
Samsung Labor Rally Threatens Global RAM Supply as Workers Demand 15% Profit Share
Samsung Electronics faced a massive rally of up to 39,000 workers in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, demanding a 15% share of operating profit and higher base wages. The union has warned of an 18‑day strike starting May 21, a move that could...
FCC Expands Router Ban to Portable Hotspots, Leaves Enterprise Gear Exempt
The Federal Communications Commission has broadened its ban on new foreign‑made Wi‑Fi routers to include portable and mobile hotspot devices for residential use. Enterprise‑grade networking gear, including industrial, military and large‑business equipment, remains exempt, a move that could shift how...
U.S. Envoys Witkoff, Kushner Fly to Pakistan for Iran Talks Amid Hormuz Tension
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are heading to Islamabad for a fresh round of mediated talks with Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi. The White House hopes the indirect negotiations will revive a stalled cease‑fire and ease the Strait of Hormuz...
Iran-Israel Conflict Pushes Brent Above $100, Stoking Global Inflation Fears
The Iran-Israel war has lifted Brent crude to $105‑$106 a barrel, a 44%‑55% jump since the conflict began, prompting economists to warn of heightened inflation and a possible drag on global growth through 2026. The shock stems from a near‑closure...
Remy AI Founder Oscar Brisset Raises $650K to Disrupt Warehouse Robotics at 25
Oscar Brisset, a 25‑year‑old French‑Australian entrepreneur, quit his consulting job at BCG to launch Remy AI, a warehouse robotics startup. The company has raised more than $650,000, including a $500,000 Y Combinator investment, to bring adaptive AI models to e‑commerce...
Trump Extends US Shipping Waiver by 90 Days to Ease Fuel, Fertiliser Supply
President Donald Trump signed a 90‑day extension of a temporary shipping waiver that relaxes Jones Act rules for domestic transport of oil, refined fuels and fertiliser. The waiver permits foreign‑flagged vessels to move these commodities between U.S. ports, boosting capacity...
This Ukrainian Company Is Upgrading Its Battlefield Robots Like Smartphones. Here's How It's Chasing the Edge in Combat.
Ukrainian robotics firm DevDroid is treating its battlefield robots like smartphones, rolling out software patches every few weeks and delivering remote fixes within minutes. The company can prototype, test with a brigade and field a new capability across all units...
Iran Conflict Has Not Hit Defence Manufacturing, UK Says
The UK Ministry of Defence says the Iran‑Israel conflict has not yet disrupted the nation’s ability to manufacture defence equipment, but it is vigilantly tracking supply‑chain vulnerabilities. Officials highlighted concerns over key chemical precursors such as sulphuric acid, acrylonitrile and...
British Airways Owner to Raise Ticket Prices Amid Fuel Shortage Crisis
British Airways parent IAG announced ticket price adjustments to offset sharply higher jet fuel costs, while low‑cost rival Jet2 eliminated surcharge clauses to keep prices fixed for holidaymakers. Brittany Ferries highlighted its successful fuel‑hedging strategy at roughly $70 per barrel,...
Duty Drawback Rates for Gold & Silver Jewellery Hiked to Support Exporters
India’s Finance Ministry announced a quarterly hike in duty drawback rates for gold and silver jewellery, raising the gold refund to ₹773.17 per gram (about $9.3) from ₹639.59, and the silver refund to ₹14,990.66 per kilogram (about $180) from ₹9,089.33....
Flood of Small Parcels From China Pushes Belgian Airport’s Capacity to Limit
More than 4 million small parcels from China have been arriving each day at Liège freight airport in Belgium since early 2026, overwhelming the facility’s handling capacity. The airport’s customs team consists of just 80 inspectors, far fewer than needed to...
Sourcing Excellence Is Predictability in Tough Times
The article warns that poor purchasing—dubbed "bad buying"—drives cost spikes, delivery uncertainty, and operational risk across utilities, workforce benefits, and AI deployments. It argues that strategic, end‑to‑end sourcing excellence stabilizes expenses, guarantees supply continuity, and mitigates legal exposure. By selecting...
Royal Mail Is Broken – Can Britain's Postal Giant Be Saved?
Royal Mail will expand a pilot that limits second‑class deliveries to every other weekday, part of a £500 million (~$635 million) investment aimed at improving late‑delivery performance. The change comes as second‑class stamp prices rise to 91p (~$1.15) and first‑class rates hit...
Hardware & Tools Category at 139th Canton Fair Powers a Shift Toward Smarter, Safer and More Efficient Solutions
At the 139th Canton Fair, hardware exhibitors showcased intelligent outdoor maintenance equipment, advanced power tools, and AI‑driven manufacturing systems. Remote‑controlled mowing robots can climb 30‑degree slopes, boosting efficiency by over 500% while keeping operators away from hazardous terrain. A new...
‘It’s a Pretty Substantial Disaster’: More Flight Cancellations Likely as Fuel Crisis Bites
European airlines are scrambling as jet‑fuel prices surge past $2.50 per gallon, driven by the Red Sea crisis and oil futures above $100 a barrel. Lufthansa cancelled 20,000 short‑haul flights, while KLM grounded 150 flights, citing financial infeasibility. Carriers such...
Premier Graphene and Its Partners Secure Initial Contract with Mexico’s Defense Sector
Premier Graphene and its Mexican affiliate HGI have secured their first defense contract with the Dirección General de Fábrica de Vestuario y Equipo (FAVE), a unit of Mexico’s Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional. The award covers the production of specialized...
The End of Human-Heavy Forwarding: Why AI Will Hollow Out the Middle
The post argues that AI will soon replace most repetitive tasks in freight forwarding, creating a "human‑light" model where small expert teams handle exceptions. It draws a parallel with warehouse automation, noting that the technology and economics already support such...
America’s Bid for Energy Supremacy Is Being Forged in War
The United States is leveraging the geopolitical turmoil of the Russia‑Ukraine war and Middle‑East conflicts to fast‑track its quest for energy supremacy. By expanding domestic fossil‑fuel output, securing strategic mineral supply chains, and investing in next‑generation clean‑energy technologies, Washington aims...
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Understanding Backorders: Definition, Causes, Examples
Backorders occur when demand outpaces available inventory, allowing customers to place orders for items not immediately in stock. Companies use backorders to keep inventory levels low, reduce storage expenses, and signal product popularity, but prolonged backorders can expose supply‑chain weaknesses....
Stellantis to Make Peugeot Cars in China with Partner Dongfeng
Stellantis announced that it will resume Peugeot production in China through a revived joint venture with Dongfeng Motor, using the Wuhan plant to build a new line of large sedans and SUVs. The two concept vehicles were unveiled at the...
Competitor Cites SONAR for Market‑wide Freight Rejection Rates
Roper's CEO (parent of DAT) quoted "freight rejection rates" to describe the state of the freight market to investors in their latest conference call. There is only one place you can get market-wide rejection rates: SONAR. Happy that SONAR...
Supply Chains Are Modern Battlefields: Minerals Power Geopolitics
Modern conflict runs on minerals, and supply chains are the new front line. Copper, diesel, and critical inputs are now strategic chokepoints. Disrupt them, and you don’t just slow economies You constrain militaries and industrial capacity at the same time. https://t.co/DP07bbbv9z ...
China Says US Export Bills Risk Disrupting Chip Supply Chains
China’s Ministry of Commerce warned that pending U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee bills targeting semiconductor exports could destabilize global chip supply chains. The legislation seeks to broaden national‑security justifications for export curbs, prompting Beijing to label the move a misuse...
Post‑pandemic Shift to Stockpiling Sparks CFO‑SCM Clash
The pandemic flipped supply chain strategy from just-in-time to stockpiling. Now, supply chain managers and CFOs clash over inventory levels, while global labor shortages and rising regulations add further complexity. #SupplyChain #Logistics https://t.co/PPSgZEloz3
Trump Leveraged HIV Aid for Rare Mineral Extraction
What he was protesting was Trump using PEPFAR to force countries to give up rare minerals in exchange for HIV drugs. There is no bottom.
Separation Between Economics & Strategy that Was Taken for Granted Has Collapsed in 21stCentury
The Geoeconomic Monograph Series (G‑SAGE) webinar highlighted how economics and strategy are now inseparable in the 21st century, as multilateral trade rules fray and unilateral tariffs rise. Speakers examined Africa’s AfCFTA, South Asia’s BBIN power grid, and Taiwan’s semiconductor dominance as...
Singapore’s Fuel Hub Doubles Russian Oil Imports Amid War
Singapore, the world’s biggest ship refueling port, TURNS TO RUSSIA FOR OIL. Oil imports from Russia have DOUBLED since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran. RUSSIA = BIG WINNER. https://t.co/oBUnq9FGNS
China’s Commodity Stockpiles, Not Strategy, Cushioned Iran War Impact
1/5 It's true that China was able to withstand the effects of the Iran war better than many other countries because it had stockpiled commodities. But it is a little silly, perhaps even a little orientalist, to say that it did...
Middle East Ceasefire Fails to Ease U.S. Fertilizer Price Pressure on Farmers
The April 8 ceasefire in the Middle East did not restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, leaving vessel traffic about 88% below pre‑conflict levels and cargo volumes down over 90%. Consequently, U.S. nitrogen fertilizer prices kept climbing, with urea up...
US Natgas Fuels Industrial Surge Amid Hormuz Closure
The data supports this - freight activity has firmed since early March. Industrials are ripping and America has a massive competitive advantage: abundant natgas. Natgas is the industrial fuel. American industrial competitiveness increases the longer Hormuz is closed.
China’s Q1 2026 Battery Exports Reach 27.3 GWh
China’s energy storage battery exports hit 27.3GWh in Q1 2026 #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/MljJ3I22MK
Lowe’s Expands AI Partnership with Relex to Unify Inventory Planning
Lowe’s announced an expansion of its partnership with Relex Solutions, adding AI‑powered forecasting, replenishment and allocation to a single platform. The retailer aims to boost in‑stock levels and productivity for DIY and professional customers, with full implementation expected by early...
DTDC Elevates Rishi Sareen to COO as Part of Vision 2030 Expansion
DTDC Express Ltd announced the promotion of Rishi Sareen from CIO to Chief Operations Officer and the elevation of Suraj Sud to Chief Technology Officer. The leadership reshuffle supports the company's Vision 2030 agenda to transform its logistics network into...
Shilpa Medicare Appoints Dr. Vellaian Karuppiah as COO to Drive Operational Growth
Shilpa Medicare Limited announced the appointment of Dr. Vellaian Karuppiah as chief operating officer. The veteran pharma executive will steer manufacturing, quality, regulatory compliance and supply‑chain functions as the company expands its global footprint.
Recruitment Trends: Why Smart Hiring Beats Employee Burnout
The article argues that professional auto transport is a safer, more cost‑effective alternative to DIY long‑distance driving. It outlines the hidden risks of driver fatigue, vehicle wear, and unexpected expenses that can outweigh the upfront price of shipping. By comparing...
Procter & Gamble Flags $150 Million Earnings Hit From Middle East Conflict
Procter & Gamble announced a $150 million earnings shortfall tied to the Middle East war, citing higher oil costs and supply‑chain disruptions. CFO Andre Schulten said the company is leaning on data analytics and inventory management to blunt the impact, while...
Offshore Yuan Slips Past 6.83 per Dollar, Marking First Weekly Drop in Three Weeks
The offshore yuan weakened past 6.83 per dollar on Friday, triggering its first weekly decline in three weeks. The slide reflects a firmer U.S. dollar and fresh volatility from U.S. military action in the Strait of Hormuz, while analysts weigh...
Chinese Export Prices Jump, Fueling Fresh Global Inflation Fears
Chinese exporters raised prices on more than a dozen product categories in March, with some items like syringes up 20%. The surge, driven by oil‑linked input costs from the Iran war, reverses three years of export‑price deflation and threatens to...
Leidos Secures $617 Million Army Contract to Build Over 100 IFPC Increment 2 Launchers
Leidos has been awarded a $617 million U.S. Army contract to deliver over 100 launchers for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) system. The award brings the company's total IFPC production contracts to nearly $1.2 billion and supports the Army’s push...
U.S. Space Force Awards up to $3.2 Billion to 12 Firms for Golden Dome Orbital Interceptor Program
The U.S. Space Force announced contracts worth up to $3.2 billion for 12 companies to build prototypes of space‑based interceptors under the Golden Dome program. The awards, made via Other Transaction Authority agreements, aim to demonstrate an initial capability by 2028...
Rise Nano Optics Lands First U.S. Lab Partner to Launch SPECTRAGUARD™ Nanophotonic Lenses
Rise Nano Optics Ltd. has signed its first U.S. laboratory partnership with Sierra Optical Lab in Reno, Nevada, to bring its FDA‑registered Class I SPECTRAGUARD™ nanophotonic lens treatment to market. The deal gives the Canadian nanotech firm a foothold in...
OroCommerce Teams with Blue Yonder to Launch Unified B2B Commerce‑Fulfillment Platform
OroCommerce announced a partnership with Blue Yonder to integrate its B2B commerce platform with Blue Yonder’s AI‑powered fulfillment suite. The collaboration aims to give enterprise sellers a single, data‑driven system for order management, inventory optimization and delivery, though specific financial...