Today's Supply Chain Pulse
Shipowners demand safety details before resuming Hormuz transits
A tentative U.S.-Iran agreement promises to reopen the Strait of Hormuz with a 60‑day window of free transits before Iran begins charging for navigation services. Shipowners and major Japanese lines remain wary, citing missing safety details and the need for coordination with governments and insurers, while BIMCO stresses the need for credible assurances.
Also developing:
By the numbers: GIA takes 30% stake in De Beers' Tracr blockchain platform
Indie Grocers Say New Grocery Code Is Already Reshaping Supplier Relations
The Canada Grocery Code of Conduct became effective on Jan. 1, 2026, and independent grocers say it is already reshaping supplier relationships. The voluntary code creates a dispute‑resolution framework that treats small retailers the same as large chains, fostering transparency on price changes and unilateral decisions such as fuel surcharges. Leaders from CFIG, Vince’s Market and Stong’s Markets highlighted new retailer‑led agreements and collaborative conversations that were previously absent. Education and broader adoption remain priorities for the coming year.
Ammonia Shortage Threatens Global Food Security, Requires Gas Infrastructure
The same folks that are screaming about a food crisis were part of the same groups that screamed about banning fossil fuels - without realizing that ammonia comes from natural gas and America is literally downing in it (often burning...
China Seeks Oil Edge via Hormuz Amid Global Supply Strains
Strait of Hormuz. Oil. China vs others. Are they in a position to gain an edge with needy countries? Then what with trade supply chains?
Returns Management Has Become a Core Omnichannel Discipline
Reverse logistics has moved from a peripheral service to a core omnichannel discipline as e‑commerce return rates stay high. Retailers now must manage returns across transportation, labor, inventory, fraud control, and working‑capital dimensions, not just issue refunds. NRF predicts 19.3%...
Why Truckers Should Care About DOL’s Latest Proposal on Joint Employers
The U.S. Department of Labor released a proposed rule redefining joint‑employer status, reviving a framework first introduced under the Trump administration. The rule focuses on vertical relationships—relevant to trucking firms that contract with fleet operators—and outlines four non‑hierarchical factors (hiring/firing,...
Port Authority and Skyports Drone Services to Commence Yearlong Cargo Drone Trial Flights Between Manhattan and Brooklyn
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and UK‑based Skyports will launch a 12‑month cargo‑drone trial on April 27, flying small uncrewed aircraft between Downtown Manhattan and the Brooklyn Marine Terminal on weekdays. The FAA‑approved flights will transport light, non‑hazardous...
All Improvement Frameworks Thrive on Continuous Feedback
Whether you call it PDCA, DMAIC or design thinking — all rely on feedback. You expect something, do something, study the outcome, and adjust.
Rail‑shipped Petroleum up 9%, Foreshadowing Export Surge
Just getting started. Petroleum products via rail jumped 9% MoM. Rail is upstream to exports, meaning that we should see the export number increase in coming weeks. https://t.co/XMD4ZYt0CO
Supply Chain Market Update: April
ITS Logistics’ April 2026 market update shows the Logistics Managers’ Index climbing to 65.7, the strongest level since May 2022, as overall logistics activity accelerates. Warehouse capacity slipped to 46.0, moving from neutral to contraction, while warehousing prices rose to...
Podcast: From the Shipper’s Seat—What Energy Companies Expect From Marine Operators
Marine Log’s Listen Up! podcast features Mitch Melton, OpenTug’s head of business development and former Exxon shipper, discussing what energy companies expect from marine operators. He highlights a growing demand for real‑time visibility, digital coordination, and predictive analytics in offshore...
Truck Parking Club Surpasses 5,000 Locations Nationwide
Truck Parking Club announced it now offers more than 5,000 parking locations across 49 states, a jump from 4,000 in just 81 days. Founded in late 2022, the Chattanooga‑based platform now provides over 80,000 reservable spaces and serves drivers from...
Get Real-Time Freight Data for $199/Month
Everyone that cares about the freight or goods economy should have access to SONAR's high frequency national freight data. This is specifically built for monitoring the situation, offering SONAR's high frequency market data. It is just $199/month. GetFreightData https://t.co/pEFTjITBlH
Petro to Meet with Delcy
Colombian President Gustavo Petro will meet Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodríguez in Caracas to discuss border security and the prospect of Colombian gas imports from Venezuela. The talks mark the first high‑level contact since the U.S. military ousted former President...
UPS Adds Temporary Surge Fee to US Imports, Exports
UPS introduced a temporary "Surge Emergency Fee" on April 19, imposing a $0.23 per‑pound surcharge on most U.S. import and export shipments and a $0.32 per‑pound rate for China and Hong Kong lanes. The fee spans seven core services, from Worldwide...
Sam’s Club Delivers in Less than 12 Minutes
Sam’s Club has launched an Express tier that guarantees delivery in under one hour, joining Amazon and Walmart in the ultra‑fast fulfillment race. The service carries a flat $10 fee for Plus members and $22 for Club members, with a...
What Is Voice of the Customer in TMS? How It Improves Visibility, Cost Control, and Logistics Performance
Infios embeds Voice of the Customer (VOC) into its Transportation Management System, turning client feedback into a continuous product‑development engine. By using a dedicated portal, voting mechanisms, and Customer Success teams, the company translates real‑world operational challenges into roadmap priorities....
JLMI – Call for Papers – Issue No. 1/2027
The Journal of Law, Market & Innovation (JLMI) announced its inaugural 2027 issue, slated for March release, dedicated to the securitisation of supply chains for critical raw materials. The theme links energy security with the green transition, examining how trade...
Industry Doubts Chinese Cars, Opposes Local Factories
This is a whole lot of cope on Chinese vehicles. I don't understand the point either. The industry does not believe this. They do tear-downs, they know better. Its why they oppose Chinese auto companies allowed to open factories here....
Fibox Appoints CEO for Its Enclosures Business
Finnish enclosure maker Fibox announced a new leadership structure to drive its next phase of international growth. Former Schneider Electric executive Markus Hettig has been appointed CEO of the enclosures business, while finance veteran Pasi Niittymäki becomes CFO and Wago...
Middle East Conflict Sparks Looming Global Food Crisis
My latest on how the conflict in the Middle East is threatening a global food crisis https://t.co/J5zkfEobhr
Iran Attacks Force Navy to Innovate At‑sea Refueling
Iranian Attacks Change Way Navy Refuels Its Ships In Middle East The Navy created a commercial "tanker treadmill" to top off its oilers out at sea, offering lessons that could have larger impacts on operations in the future. https://t.co/7LzvCqUG2f
Stakeholders Urge Congress to Improve EPA’s Strict Critical Minerals Regulations
Witnesses told a House environmental subcommittee that EPA’s strict critical‑minerals rules under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) are creating costly delays for manufacturers and recyclers. Redwood Materials highlighted how a modest...
Rerouted Middle East Hazmat Containers Spark Safety Concerns at Indian Ports
A leading European liner is holding roughly 600 TEUs of hazardous cargo at India’s Nhava Sheva port after trade routes to the Middle East were diverted. The containers were rerouted because carriers cannot discharge them quickly at UAE ports Khor Fakkan,...
Stellantis Weighs Sale or Sharing of European Plants – Report
Stellantis is evaluating the sale or shared use of several European manufacturing plants to address lingering overcapacity. The company has opened talks with potential buyers, including Chinese automaker Dongfeng Motor, which recently inspected sites in France, Spain, Italy and Germany....
SpaceX May Build Its Own GPUs to Reduce Chip Supply Risks
SpaceX disclosed in its S‑1 filing that it may manufacture its own GPUs to mitigate chip supply constraints and rising compute costs. The proposal is listed as a substantial capital expenditure and ties into the Terafab complex, a joint venture...
Losses Narrow at Heartland Express as Market Shifts
Heartland Express reported a first‑quarter net loss of $4.8 million, or 6 cents per share, marking a narrowing from the prior year. The carrier’s adjusted operating ratio improved to 101.3%, a 580‑basis‑point gain year‑over‑year and better than the fourth‑quarter. Revenue slipped 20%...
US Manufacturing Surge Fuels Trucking Market Tightness
The PMI for US manufacturing blew out the forecast at 54, the highest levels since May 2022, further confirmation that US manufacturing is ramping. It all supports our view that volumes are helping to drive tightness in the trucking market,...
Fast Delivery Crucial: 70% Abandon Cart Over 2 Days
Over 70% of shoppers abandon their cart when delivery takes more than 2 days. That's not a marketing problem. That's a fulfilment problem. Here's how to know when it's time to hand it off to a 3PL 👇 https://t.co/r4ctl4lH4h
Manufacturing Activity Continues to Soar: 2 Mutual Funds to Buy
U.S. manufacturing activity accelerated in March, posting an ISM PMI of 52.7 – the strongest reading since August 2022 and the third consecutive month above the 50 expansion threshold. The rise was driven by robust demand and longer supplier delivery...
Exception Management Is Emerging as the New Supply Chain Control Layer
Supply chain leaders are moving beyond traditional control‑tower visibility toward an exception‑management layer that detects, prioritizes, routes, and resolves disruptions before they cascade. While enterprises now enjoy granular shipment and inventory data, the real challenge is discerning which variances merit...
Wheatstone LNG Resumes Full Production, Adding Supplies to Market Rattled by Iran War
Wheatstone LNG announced it has returned to full‑production levels, restoring its 7.5 mtpa output to the global market. The restart comes as the LNG sector grapples with supply disruptions linked to the Iran‑U.S. naval standoff in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian...
Oil Crude Tops $100, Pulling Asian Markets Back From Record Peaks
Brent crude surged to $103 per barrel as Iran seized vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Japan’s Nikkei, South Korea’s Kospi, Taiwan’s Taiex and India’s Nifty to retreat from fresh record highs. Analysts warned that the oil shock and...
BIMCO Warns Hormuz Reopening Hinges on Mine Clearance as Trump Orders Sweep Surge
The Baltic and International Maritime Council warned that a meaningful reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will require weeks of dedicated mine‑clearing operations, noting that restricted corridors and dual U.S.–Iran enforcement actions still limit commercial traffic. President Donald Trump amplified...
Trucking Rates Set for Double‑Digit Surge, Supercycle Looms
Knight Swift is projecting double digit contract rate increases by the end of the year, a more bullish forecast than their Q1 report. Any thinking that the tightness was situational is gone, as UBS suggests that a trucking rate "Supercycle"...
NASA’s Next‑Gen Lunar Spacesuit Delayed to 2031, Threatening Artemis 4
NASA’s Office of Inspector General says the agency’s single‑source contract with Axiom Space will not yield a flight‑ready lunar spacesuit until 2031, three years after the planned Artemis 4 landing. The delay stems from a risky firm‑fixed‑price contract model and the...
Getlink Posts 15% Q1 Revenue Rise to €371M, Reaffirms Full-Year EBITDA Outlook
Getlink SE announced a 15% increase in first‑quarter revenue to €371 million ($405 million) and reiterated its full‑year EBITDA outlook for fiscal 2026. The lift was driven by higher Eurotunnel traffic and a resilient freight market despite volatile energy prices.
ATA Truck Tonnage Continues to Show Signs of Turnaround
The American Trucking Associations reported its For‑Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 0.3% sequentially to 117 and posted a 3% year‑over‑year gain in March, the strongest YoY increase since October 2022. The first quarter of 2026 delivered the best quarterly performance since...
Pax Silica
The United States has launched the Pax Silica coalition, a 12‑nation alliance aimed at building a resilient silicon supply chain from raw minerals to AI infrastructure. A pilot Economic Security Zone covering 1,618 hectares in Clark New City, Philippines, will serve...
Beyond the Forecast: Navigating Global Volatility with Weather Intelligence
Weather has become a strategic variable for global supply chains, agriculture and shipping, driving billions in lost revenue when forecasts go awry. Cargill Ocean Transport is pairing wind‑assisted vessel retrofits and AI‑powered emissions tracking to turn weather data into fuel...
How Matrack’s Dash Cam with GPS Tracking Is Redefining Fleet Safety
Matrack’s integrated dash cam and GPS platform gives fleet operators real‑time video and location data on a single dashboard. The 4G‑connected cameras provide timestamped footage and precise GPS, enabling instant verification of deliveries, accidents, and driver behavior. AI‑driven coaching alerts...
Dutch Startup Resilicon Granted NZIA Support for New European Polysilicon Plant
Dutch startup Resilicon has secured Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) strategic‑project status for a 13 GW polysilicon plant in Groningen, Netherlands. The EU designation promises streamlined permitting, rapid administrative treatment and access to financing advice. The facility will be powered entirely...
New ATEX EasySwitch Wet-Dry Vac for Industrial Cleanup in Explosive Environments
EXAIR introduced the ATEX EasySwitch® Wet‑Dry Vac, a pneumatic vacuum system designed for explosive‑atmosphere environments. The unit meets ATEX Zone 1 and 2 certifications, eliminating electrical ignition sources while handling both wet and dry materials. A simple latch lets operators switch between...
Havis Expands Rugged Mobility Solutions with New Docking Stations for Getac G140 Tablet
Havis announced a new rugged docking station engineered for the Getac G140 tablet, targeting public‑sector, enterprise‑fleet, and industrial users. The dock features standard port replication, an optional quad pass‑thru antenna, and a spring‑loaded connector that sustains connectivity under heavy vibration....
40% Expect Strait of Hormuz Traffic Normalization After November
40% of oil and gas firms in the @DallasFed survey expect it'll be November or later before Strait of Hormuz traffic returns to normal. https://t.co/aNqqqDpuML
Chemical Conversations: South Korea BTX Rationalisation and Global Impact
In this episode, Argus analyst Santosh and senior aromatics reporter Junlee dissect South Korea's sweeping petrochemical rationalisation, driven by persistently low benzene NAFTA spreads, China’s self‑sufficiency surge, and a global economic slowdown. The government has mandated a 20% cut—about 2.7‑3.7 million...
UK Launches Inquiry Into Security Risks of Chinese-Made 3D Printing Equipment
Britain’s Defence Secretary has launched an investigation into the British Army’s use of Chinese‑manufactured Bambu Lab 3D printers, which were deployed during a training exercise in Kenya. The inquiry focuses on potential security risks stemming from the printers’ default cloud...
Leading Carbon Credit Registries Expand Into Supply-Chain Decarbonization
Two leading carbon‑credit registries, Isometric and Verra, are broadening their scopes to issue environmental attribute credits (EACs) that capture supply‑chain emissions reductions. Isometric will create a standard for low‑carbon steel and cement, while Verra targets a Q3 2024 launch of...
Comau and Automha Present Joint Logistics Automation Portfolio
At MODEX 2026, Italian firms Comau SpA and Automha SpA showcased a joint logistics automation portfolio that spans inbound handling, intelligent storage, order preparation, and synchronized shipping. The offering combines Comau’s robots and autonomous mobile robots with Automha’s ASRS shuttles,...
Costco and the Discipline Behind Retail Supply Chains
Costco’s supply chain strength stems from a disciplined, low‑assortment model that leverages high volume to secure purchasing power and streamline replenishment. By limiting SKUs, the retailer reduces handling complexity, accelerates inventory turns, and keeps costs tightly controlled. Private‑label products deepen...
From +19% to -37%: Middle East Drives Sharp Reversal in Global Air Cargo Demand
Global air cargo growth slowed in early 2026 as the Middle East conflict caused a 3% decline in volumes from March, with the region plunging 37% after a 19% rise earlier in the year. Worldwide chargeable weight grew 8% in...