Today's Supply Chain Pulse
Logistics volatility declared permanent in 2026 State of Logistics Report
The report finds supply‑chain volatility now a permanent condition, with U.S. logistics costs falling to $2.4 trillion, or 7.8% of GDP, down from $2.6 trillion in 2025. Five structural forces—uneven global growth, tighter financial conditions, geoeconomic realignment, labor constraints, and energy price swings—drive the new normal, while AI and automation reshape operations.
Also developing:
By the numbers: US IDFC partners with Chubb on $20B maritime reinsurance plan
The Cracks in Mineral Traceability
Mineral traceability is emerging as a critical compliance and financing issue as governments worldwide tighten regulations. A recent survey shows 11% of mining companies still have no plans to implement traceability systems, despite pressure from U.S. tax credits, EU due‑diligence rules, Chinese export controls and Indonesian royalty enforcement. The industry faces mounting expectations from investors and ESG rating agencies to provide transparent supply‑chain data. Companies that fail to adopt traceability risk losing market access and financing opportunities.
AvTalk Episode 367: We’re Worried About Availability, Not Just Cost
In this episode, hosts Ian Pechnick and Jason Rabinowitz discuss recent near‑miss incidents at JFK, Nashville, and Bogota, highlighting the crucial role of TCAS and ATC procedures in preventing collisions. They then shift to a broader industry challenge: jet‑fuel scarcity...
US and Iran Stuck in Tense Limbo, Hormuz Risk
Told @business News Now: both the US and Iran are in purgatory. There’s no war, but there’s nothing close to peace. Tensions are high and the risk of escalation in the Strait of Hormuz is real, with major implications for...
Kyodo News Digest: April 24, 2026
Japan announced the release of an additional 20 days of strategic oil reserves from May 1, extending a March‑initiated 50‑day drawdown to cushion supply risks from the Strait of Hormuz. The government is also weighing a trade‑minister visit to China for...
Trojan Driver Scam Infiltrates Legitimate Trucking Companies
The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) warns that a new “Trojan Driver Scam” is infiltrating legitimate trucking firms by hiring drivers through normal channels and then using them to divert high‑value freight during routine breaks. The scheme relies on a...
Green Gold Is Getting More Precious in Wartime
A war‑related export blockade in Iran has left millions of pounds of pistachios stranded in warehouses, creating a sharp supply shock for global food manufacturers. Prices for shelled pistachios have jumped roughly 30% since the conflict escalated, squeezing margins for...
Export Collapse Boosts US/Canada Prices, yet Halts Risk Oversupply
As Persian Gulf and Russian exports collapse, global prices will rise, which should benefit the U.S. and Canada. However, if exports are halted to keep gasoline prices down, then North America would become oversupplied. Full Newsletter: https://t.co/9vsV5HAcmy https://t.co/34b7yklfSr
Dallas Fed: Executives See Prolonged Hormuz Disruption, Modest U.S. Supply Gains
Oil and gas executives surveyed by the Dallas Fed expect the Strait of Hormuz disruption to persist for months, with 39% forecasting a return to normal shipping only by August and many seeing risk extending into late 2026. They anticipate...
EU Bans Funding for Energy Projects Using Chinese Inverters—Will It Move the Needle on Cybersecurity?
The European Commission has barred EU financing for energy projects that use inverters sourced from "high‑risk" nations, chiefly China, as well as Russia, Iran and North Korea. The prohibition applies to all EU funding instruments, including the European Investment Bank,...
Proof 8 Partners with Raer’s Jackton Distillery
Jackton Distillery in Scotland has adopted Proof 8's blockchain‑backed platform to secure its cask inventory with digital deeds linked to QR codes. The immutable records provide clear provenance, ownership and location data, addressing rising cask‑investment fraud concerns. Implementation slashed cask‑management...
Top Links 1082 China's Oil Reserves. Global Hunger. America's Megadrought & Adorno V. Gehlen.
The latest roundup highlights four distinct developments: China’s proven oil reserves have expanded, pushing the nation closer to energy self‑sufficiency; the United Nations warns that global hunger now affects over 800 million people, a record high; the United States is grappling...
K+N Sees Airfreight Revenues and Profits Slide in Q1
Kuehne+Nagel reported a 9% year‑on‑year decline in Q1 airfreight revenue to Sfr 1.6 bn (≈$1.76 bn) and a 4.3% drop in EBIT to Sfr 111 m (≈$122 m), even though volumes nudged up 0.4% to 516,000 tonnes. The revenue dip was partly due to a weaker...
Kuehne + Nagel – Give Me a Reason…
Kuehne + Nagel (K+N) posted its first‑quarter 2026 results, which fell short of consensus forecasts, prompting a sharp sell‑off in its shares. The company narrowed its earnings guidance range but did not deliver the steep growth investors expected. Meanwhile, overland freight...
The Strait of Hormuz Energy Crisis Shows the EU’s Carbon Pricing Is the Right Approach
Recent closure of the Strait of Hormuz has driven up global energy prices, forcing Europe to spend an additional €24 billion (about $26 billion) on fossil fuel imports. In response, the European Commission unveiled the AccelerateEU package, a set of non‑binding short‑term...
Critical Metals Secures 92.5% of Greenland Rare‑Earth Deposit, Boosting Western Supply Chain
Critical Metals (CRML) acquired the remaining 50.5% stake in Greenland's Tanbreez project, raising its ownership to 92.5%. The deal is supported by a $120 million Letter of Intent from the U.S. EXIM Bank and a $30 million board‑approved budget to accelerate drilling...
Iran War, U.S. Court’s Tariff Ruling Delays India Trade Deal — but a Bigger Risk Lies Ahead
The India‑U.S. trade agreement remains unsigned, with negotiations stalled by the Iran war and a recent U.S. court ruling that upheld a 10% baseline tariff for all partners. India faces a June deadline for the Section 301 investigation, after which higher...
Aleksejs Halavins Shares Insights on Handling Mega Cultural Events At Sea
Latvian entrepreneur Aleksejs Halavins has turned luxury yacht voyages into recurring mega‑cultural events, gathering actors, musicians and other high‑profile guests on the Ionian Islands. The gatherings blend exotic dining, live performances and a playful wedding show, while offering a fully...
Copper Supply Squeeze Deepens, Threatening Auto and Tech Makers
New data from analysts and miners shows the global copper gap widening to a 10 million‑metric‑ton shortfall by 2040, with 2026 deficits already exceeding 400,000 tons. The squeeze is pushing prices toward $12,650 per ton and forcing automotive, electronics and renewable‑energy manufacturers...
Nike Trims 1,400 Jobs, Targeting Tech Division in Global Operations Overhaul
Nike will eliminate roughly 1,400 roles across its Global Operations team, with the bulk of reductions hitting the technology division. The move, outlined by COO Venkatesh Alagirisamy, is the latest step in the company’s Win Now turnaround strategy aimed at...
European Buyers Circle Chinese Feeder Ships as Supply Tightens
European liner operators are intensifying outreach to Chinese feeder ship owners as the market faces a shortage of small and mid‑size vessels. Brokers report that owners of ships like Shishi Hengtong’s Heng Hui 5 and Heng Hui 6 are fielding inquiries from European buyers...
Samsung Boosts GDDR6 Output for Tesla as Auto Memory Demand Rises
Samsung Electronics has tripled its monthly output of 8GB GDDR6 memory chips to satisfy Tesla’s growing in‑vehicle computing needs. Production was redirected in April to the Hwaseong plant, where capacity now supports Tesla’s infotainment and autonomous‑driving platforms. The ramp‑up follows...
Premier Energies Unveils ESG Roadmap Targeting 10 GW Capacity and Decarbonisation
Premier Energies Limited announced a Mission‑2028 ESG strategy that places decarbonisation, circular manufacturing and supply‑chain control at its core. The plan targets 10 GW of integrated solar capacity, a 95% reduction in water use at cell facilities and a 34% women...
Apple’s M4 Mac Mini Sells Out on Apple.com, Sparking Supply Worries
Apple’s latest M4‑chip Mac Mini 2026 model sold out on its website, prompting supply‑chain worries as memory chip shortages and AI demand strain inventory. The stockout underscores broader challenges for Apple as it prepares for a CEO transition and an...
India's FY26 Growth Forecast Slashed to 5.9% as West Asia War and Tariff Doubts Bite
Goldman Sachs and Moody’s cut India’s FY26 growth projection to 5.9%–6% after the Iran‑Israel war drove energy prices higher and trade‑policy doubts resurfaced. RBI policymakers kept the repo rate at 5.25% citing the same geopolitical shock, warning that prolonged supply‑side...
Mediterrania Capital Partners in Packaging Deal
Mediterrania Capital Partners (MCP) has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire 100% of Société Marocaine des Manufactures de Mohammedia (SMMM), the holding company of Amcor Flexibles Mohammedia (AFM). AFM is a Moroccan producer of flexible packaging serving dairy, pharmaceutical,...
Eurozone PMI Shows April Contraction, Manufacturing Holds Up Amid War‑Driven Cost Surge
Eurozone business activity slipped into contraction in April, as the composite PMI fell below the 50‑point growth line and Germany’s private‑sector index dropped to 48.3. Manufacturing, however, posted a surprise expansion at 52.2, buoyed by export demand but weighed down...
ABS, PIL to Collaborate on Emissions Verification for Marine Fuels
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Pacific International Lines (PIL) have signed a memorandum of understanding to provide third‑party verification of emissions from alternative marine fuels. ABS will audit PIL’s fuel consumption, transport activity and emissions data, enabling the...
Infrabel Reassigns €124.5M as Flagship Projects Are Postponed
Belgian rail manager Infrabel is shifting €124.5 million (≈$136 million) from the postponed Ghent‑Terneuzen line and Antwerp‑Berchem station to four smaller projects, and adding €52 million in EU subsidies for a total of €176.5 million (≈$192 million). The re‑allocated money will largely boost rail freight,...
Iran Conflict Depletes US Weapons, Cuts China Rare‑earth Supply
Iran War Has Drained U.S. Supplies of Critical, Costly Weapons Amazingly, no mention of rare earths magnets. All the missile system use, produced all now cut off from China sources. https://t.co/6vpOGXJPZt via @NYTimes
How Castore and GXO’s Partnership Led to ‘More Sustainable Growth’
At the Drapers Supply Chain Summit on April 22, Castore’s chief supply chain officer Adrian Harris explained how the Manchester‑based sportswear brand accelerated growth by partnering with third‑party logistics provider GXO. The collaboration streamlined inventory management, reduced lead times and...
Indian Rupee Slides to 10‑Year Low as Oil Prices Surge and Iran War Fuels Outflows
The Indian rupee slipped to a 10‑year trough of 94.25 per U.S. dollar, driven by a surge in crude oil prices above $105 a barrel and heightened capital outflows linked to the Iran conflict. The slide marks a 4.5% depreciation...
Trump Extends Iran Ceasefire While Keeping Hormuz Blockade, Sending Oil Prices Higher
President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of the Iran ceasefire while preserving a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The move tightens Iran's oil exports, lifts Brent crude by several percent and fuels higher pump prices worldwide. European...
Sandvik to Supply Three DR413i Rotary Drill Rigs to Glencore for Alumbrera Restart
Sandvik secured a Q1 2026 order from Glencore to supply three DR413i rotary blasthole drill rigs for the restart of Argentina’s Bajo de la Alumbrera copper mine. The first rig arrives in April 2026, with the remaining two slated for Q4...
Nissan Plans $45m Egypt Expansion for African Exports – Report
Nissan Motor announced a $45 million investment to expand its Cairo‑area plant, adding a new line capable of producing at least 10,000 extra vehicles per year. The upgrade will lift total output by roughly one‑third and deepen the automaker’s export pipeline...
ABS Signs Pact with Fleet Robotics on Maritime Robotics
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Fleet Robotics have signed a memorandum of understanding at Singapore Maritime Week to develop autonomous robotic systems for hull cleaning and inspection. The partnership will assess robot suitability, validate sensor data and imagery,...
Why Supply Chain Resilience Now Defines the Survival of Fast Casual
Fast‑casual chains are confronting a prolonged sales decline and rising costs, with same‑store sales falling for the 11th month. Consumers are demanding higher‑quality, fresher ingredients while tightening budgets, forcing operators to balance price and value. Supply‑chain discipline has become the...
The Best Inventory Management Software of 2026: Expert Tested and Reviewed
The 2026 roundup of inventory management software highlights five platforms that cater to distinct business models, from retail to manufacturing and enterprise. Odoo emerges as the top pick with a free standalone inventory app that scales into a full ERP,...
California's Jet Fuel Stockpile Hits Two-Year Low, Putting 'Black Cloud' Over Summer Travel
California’s jet‑fuel inventory has plunged more than 25% to 2.6 million barrels, the lowest level since 2023, as the Iran‑related war chokes global oil flows. Prices have doubled, pressuring low‑margin carriers such as Spirit and prompting airlines to trim summer schedules....
BelAZ Teams up with Nornickel as Russia's Equipment Shortage Bites
BelAZ, the Belarusian maker of ultra‑large dump trucks, has entered a joint venture with Russia's Norilsk Nickel (Nornickel) to construct a new mining‑equipment factory near Krasnoyarsk in Siberia. The partnership responds to a growing shortage of heavy‑duty trucks and other...
India Subcontinent Gains in Liner Middle East Conflict Restructuring
The war in the Arabian Gulf is prompting a restructuring of global liner services, with the Indian Subcontinent emerging as a new transshipment hub. MDS Transmodal data shows ISC container traffic up 19.6% month‑over‑month between February and April 2024, while capacity...
Prioritize True Supply Chain Effectiveness Over Urgent Fads
“Rather than focusing on the things that are truly important for our #supplychain *effectiveness*, too many of us in SCM expend time and energy on things that are urgent, may improve efficiency, or are simply the latest fad.” 📌 https://t.co/7AG1EKl4LF #procurement #purchasing...
Trimco Group, Retraced Partner for Integrated Transparency Solutions
Trimco Group and sustainability platform Retraced have formed a partnership to deliver an end‑to‑end transparency solution that links verified upstream supply‑chain data to individual products via QR‑code labels. The joint offering combines Trimco’s labeling, packaging and RFID capabilities with Retraced’s...
Geosky Airlines Begins China-Denmark Freighter Flights
Geosky Airlines, a Georgian cargo carrier, has launched regular freighter services linking Xi’an, China, with Copenhagen, Denmark, via a stop in Tbilisi, Georgia. The route is operated with Boeing 767‑300 passenger‑to‑freighter aircraft and expands Geosky’s network that already reaches 66...
Transparency Data: CMA: Spending over £500, March 2026
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published a transparency dataset covering electronic purchasing card (ePCS) transactions exceeding £500 in March 2026. The CSV file, only 166 bytes, lists each qualifying spend, enabling public scrutiny of government procurement. At current exchange rates,...
Bundeswehr Launches Loitering Munition Spending Spree with $2.16 Billion Unassigned
Germany’s Bundeswehr has opened a €2.4 billion (≈US$2.75 billion) framework for loitering‑munition systems, kicking off with a €300 million (US$344 million) contract to Rheinmetall for its FV‑014 autonomous reconnaissance‑strike drone. The deal, delayed for months, schedules qualification in Q2 2026 and initial deliveries in the...
Warehouse Software Delays Cost Clicks R175m
Clicks disclosed that delays in rolling out a new warehouse management system at its Cape Town distribution centre shaved roughly R175 million ($9.2 million) – about 0.9% – off retail turnover during the festive period. The shortfall was amplified by aggressive discounting...
China’s Energy Storage Battery Exports Hit 27.3GWh in Q1 2026
China’s energy‑storage battery exports reached 27.3 GWh in Q1 2026, representing 32.4% of total battery shipments and a 15% year‑on‑year increase. Combined power and storage battery exports climbed to 84.1 GWh, up 36.7% YoY, with March alone posting a 96.9% month‑on‑month jump to...
Poland Launches New Tender for a Section of the Warsaw–Łódź High-Speed Rail Line
Poland’s state‑run Port Polska has issued a new tender for the 14.3‑kilometre stretch of the Warsaw–Łódź high‑speed rail line linking the new central airport hub to the Bolimów hub. The competitive‑dialogue process, with expressions of interest due by June 12, will...
Suzuki: India Production to Offset Decline in Japan, Hungary
Automotive World projects Suzuki will build about 3.5 million vehicles in 2026, a 2‑3 % increase from 2025. Growth will be driven primarily by expanded output in India and Indonesia, while output in Japan and Hungary is expected to fall further. Over...
SDVs Pose Challenges to Automotive Supply Chains, Moody’s Says
Moody’s warns that software‑defined vehicles (SDVs) will expose automotive supply chains to heightened cost pressures and security risks. As cars become updatable software platforms, traditional hardware‑centric quality controls no longer apply, creating uncertainty over code provenance and cyber‑vulnerability. The surge...