Today's Supply Chain Pulse
Oman transit corridor revives India’s West Asia trade
India’s May 2026 exports to West Asia rebounded to $5.30 billion after a sharp March dip, thanks to a new transit corridor through Oman’s Sohar, Salalah and Duqm ports that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. The recovery was led by the UAE, where shipments rose 3.18% year‑on‑year, and Saudi Arabia, which also saw notable gains.
Also developing:
By the numbers: GIA acquires 30% stake in De Beers' Tracr blockchain platform
Europe-LatAm Volume Growth Stalls, but Shippers Remain Hopeful
Container Trade Statistics data shows Europe‑to‑Latin America ocean volumes slipping 10.6% year‑on‑year to 127,100 TEU in January 2026 and a further 6.1% dip in February, while the reverse LatAm‑to‑Europe lane rebounded 9.7% to 191,700 TEU in January and held a 4.6% gain in February. AGL Cargo’s Jackson Campos notes modest growth driven by steady agribusiness demand, with ocean freight rates staying flat despite new carrier capacity‑control measures. Airfreight rates stay firm for pharma and high‑value goods, but capacity remains uneven across modes. Operational bottlenecks persist in inland transport across Latin America and regulatory processes in Europe.
Royal Mail to Ask Part-Time Posties to Work More to Meet Letter Targets
Royal Mail will let part‑time postal workers pick up extra hours as part of a £500 million, five‑year overhaul aimed at improving its letter‑delivery performance. The carrier currently delivers only 75% of first‑class letters on time, well short of the 93%...
Smart Supply Chain or Data Jungle?
IoT has moved pharmaceutical airfreight from periodic checks to real‑time, continuous monitoring of temperature, humidity, location and shock. The flood of sensor data has exposed a critical gap: the sector lacks a common framework to standardise, integrate and act on...
The Hidden Cost of IV Fluid Shortages on Outpatient Facilities: What the Data Shows
The 2024‑2025 IV fluid shortage, sparked by Hurricane Helene’s damage to Baxter’s North Cove plant, has spilled over from hospitals to thousands of outpatient facilities such as infusion centers, ambulatory surgery centers, pain clinics, and oncology practices. While hospitals can...
UK’s Portland Port Approved for LNG Ship-to-Ship Transfers
Portland Port in South Dorset has secured a full licence to conduct liquefied natural gas (LNG) ship‑to‑ship (STS) transfers, expanding its existing oil and LPG services. The approval allows transfers at a berth or while anchored in the inner or outer...
FedEx, UPS and DHL Detail Tariff Refund Approach for Customers
FedEx, UPS and DHL Express announced they will pursue refunds for duties paid under the now‑defunct International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs and return the money to the original payors. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched a...
Tender for the Manufacture and Supply of Track Motor Vehicle with Cranes and Track Electric Vehicle with Cranes
Israel Railways Ltd (ISR) has issued Tender 42237 for the manufacture and supply of track motor vehicles with cranes and track electric vehicles with cranes. The procurement follows Israeli Mandatory Tender Laws and the International Agreement on Government Procurement. Bids...
MND Details Special Budget DCS, Commissioned Manufacturing Targets
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense unveiled a detailed plan for spending the NT$1.25 trillion (US$39.6 billion) special defense budget, allocating about 24% to direct commercial sales (DCS) and commissioned manufacturing of drones, ammunition and other systems. The remaining 76% targets U.S. weapons...
Offshore Venezuela Gas Project Advances as Eni, Repsol Secure Export Pathway
European oil majors Eni and Repsol have secured a deal with Venezuela's interim government to double output at the offshore Perla gas field and begin exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) by the end of 2031. The agreement, signed in March,...
Exclusive: HIG to Take First-Round Bids for Capstone Logistics in Next Few Weeks, Sources Say
Harbor Investment Group (HIG) is set to solicit first‑round bids for Capstone Logistics within the next few weeks, according to sources. Capstone, a third‑party logistics provider, generated roughly $215 million of EBITDA in its latest fiscal year. Its scale may deter...
Condom Prices Set to Jump 20‑30% Amid Petrochemical Shock
The world’s top condom maker says it plans to raise prices by 20%-30% and possibly further due to the impact of the US-Iran war in the petrochemical industry. Malaysia's Karex Bhd told Reuters is also seeing a surge in condom...
Asia Daily: April 21, 2026
U.S. customs launched a new portal to refund roughly $165 billion in tariffs levied on Chinese imports after a Supreme Court ruling, creating a massive cash‑flow back to importers and suppliers. Japan relaxed its weapons‑export restrictions, aiming to grow a fledgling...
Industrial AI for the Physical World: Siemens’s Peter Koerte
In a recent MIT Sloan podcast, Siemens chief strategy and technology officer Peter Koerte explained how the company is using industrial AI to boost efficiency across factories, energy grids, buildings and transportation. He highlighted concrete use cases such as AI‑driven building...
Konecranes Expands Fleet at Lomé Container Terminal
Konecranes will deliver nine new lift trucks to Lomé Container Terminal (LCT) in Q2 2026, comprising two SMV 4632 TC5 reach stackers and seven SMV 7/8 ECC90 empty‑container handlers. The addition supports LCT’s ongoing expansion and rising cargo volumes, replacing older equipment with machines that...
China Confronts Middle East Supply Shock, as State Council Mulls Energy Strategy
China’s State Council, led by Premier Li Qiang, convened a high‑level session to address energy security amid the Strait of Hormuz shipping crisis. The meeting emphasized bolstering oil reserves, accelerating renewable deployment, and modernising coal‑fired plants to shield the economy,...
LATAM Cargo Teams up with Quick Cargo Service on SAF
LATAM Cargo has partnered with freight forwarder Quick Cargo Service to deploy Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on its Frankfurt‑São Paulo cargo flights during the 2025‑26 winter season. The agreement calls for 24,000 litres of SAF, delivering an estimated 55.8 metric tons of CO₂e...
10 Automation Trends Shaping Skilled Trades
Automation is reshaping skilled trades rather than replacing them, as robots, sensors, and AI become commonplace on job sites. Robotic welding cells, autonomous mobile robots, and AI‑driven quality systems are shifting workers toward programming, diagnostics, and system oversight. The rise...
IKEA Partners with Ekart for Deliveries in Chennai
IKEA has expanded its partnership with Indian 3PL Ekart to cover last‑mile deliveries in Chennai, adding the city as the second market after Delhi. Ekart will use a dedicated 100% electric‑vehicle fleet to fulfill orders from IKEA’s catalogue of over...
Trump Keeps Up Pressure on Iran as Word Awaited on Talks
President Donald Trump signaled he will not extend the two‑week Iran cease‑fire that expires tomorrow, keeping pressure on Tehran as negotiations remain uncertain. Oil futures slipped after three vessels passed the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing blockades. The airline sector...
Farizon Launches Sub-£30k V7E Electric Van with 204 Mile Range
Farizon, a Geely subsidiary, unveiled the V7E electric van at the Commercial Vehicle Show, pricing it from £28,000 (about $35,800) before VAT. The medium‑size van offers up to 204 miles of WLTP range, extending to 295 miles in city driving...
Strait of Hormuz Tensions Threaten Oil Shipping, Prompt Airline Cancellations
U.S. naval blockades and a disputed seizure of a Tehran‑flagged cargo ship have heightened the risk of a shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, while jet‑fuel prices have jumped to $150‑$200 a barrel, forcing airlines to cancel flights and raise...
NATO Jet Fuel Network Strain Threatens European Airline Operations
NATO’s Central Europe Pipeline System is seeing heightened military demand, squeezing civilian jet fuel supplies and prompting airlines to brace for disruptions. Poland’s energy minister and IATA’s director warn of a “two‑speed” alliance and “sobering” outlook as fuel prices double.
DARPA's Smash Program Targets Rare‑earth Processing Bottleneck with Distributed Model
DARPA has begun a 48‑month "Smash" effort to create a distributed, near‑zero‑waste processing system for rare‑earth elements and up to 80 other stable metals. The program seeks to replace the current reliance on centralized refineries such as the Mountain Pass...
Asyad Group and Ligentia Join Forces to Accelerate Global Growth and Enhance Technology-Driven Supply Chain Solutions
Asyad Group announced the acquisition of UK‑based Ligentia Group, creating a logistics powerhouse with operations in 24 countries and 76 cities. The deal integrates Ligentia’s Ligentix digital control‑tower platform, enhancing real‑time visibility and predictive analytics for clients. Combined, the firms...
Winn‑Dixie and Amazon Extend Same‑Day Grocery Delivery to Miami and Across Florida
Winn‑Dixie and Amazon have broadened their same‑day grocery delivery partnership to include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, the Florida Keys and West Palm Beach, extending the service to all of Florida. The rollout adds more than 15,000 Winn‑Dixie items to Amazon’s platform...
Hyundai Glovis Expands US Logistics Footprint with New Hubs
Hyundai Glovis, the logistics arm of Hyundai Motor, opened two new U.S. facilities—a 12,000‑square‑metre multimodal hub near Los Angeles and a 69,000‑square‑metre integrated warehouse in Savannah. The LA centre sits 25 minutes from the port and airport, enabling rapid air‑sea...
Ukraine Opens a New Front in Africa
Ukraine has escalated its maritime campaign against Russian shipping by deploying armed drones in the Mediterranean and extending operations toward Africa. In December 2025, Ukrainian drones struck the Russian oil tanker Qendil about 250 km off Libya, and three months...
Quality of Supply Is an Important Aspect of the Procurement Process
The article emphasizes that supply quality in municipal procurement extends beyond product specs to include reliable, financially stable vendors and timely delivery. It advises municipalities to assess a supplier’s financial health, past performance, and ability to integrate new technology with...
AAFA Guide Introduces ‘Practical’ Steps for Workplace Heat Safety
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) released the AAFA Guide to Protecting Workers from Heat Stress, offering practical recommendations for factories across global supply chains. The guide urges temperature caps, schedule adjustments, water provision, training, and buyer‑supplier collaboration to...
USA Rare Earth Surges 15% After $2.8 Billion Serra Verde Acquisition
USA Rare Earth Inc. announced a $2.8 billion cash‑and‑stock deal to acquire Brazil’s Serra Verde Group, sending its Nasdaq‑listed shares up more than 15% to $22.97. The transaction adds a rare‑earth mine and processing plant that can produce 6,400 metric tons of...
The Procurement AI Paradox: The Teams That Need AI Most Are the Least Ready For It
Procurement teams, responsible for managing roughly $1.2 trillion in spend, are confronting an AI paradox: they stand to gain the most from automation yet are the least prepared to implement it. Legacy ERP systems, fragmented data silos, and a shortage of...
“Where’s My Package” Problem: The Revolution in Retail Logistics
Retail logistics is evolving from a back‑office function into a core customer‑experience driver. New "agentic" platforms monitor shipments in real time, automatically reroute parcels to avoid bottlenecks, and resolve issues before customers notice. Innovations such as micro‑sector address mapping cut...
Royal Mail Vows to Invest £500m to Improve Services
Royal Mail announced a £500 million (≈$640 million) five‑year investment to overhaul its delivery network, aiming for a "step change" in performance. The plan includes a new letter model that will deliver second‑class mail every other weekday and targets 90% on‑time first‑class...
Top Agentic AI Use Cases For AP Automation In 2026
Forrester’s 2026 report spotlights agentic AI—goal‑driven, supervised‑autonomous agents—reshaping accounts payable automation. The study maps six high‑impact use‑case categories, from lights‑out invoice capture to continuous fraud monitoring, and grades their adoption maturity. It argues that AP teams are moving from transaction...
Amazon MCF Shopify App Goes Global with Major Expansion
Amazon has extended its Multi‑Channel Fulfillment (MCF) Shopify app beyond the U.S. and U.K., adding Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan and Canada. The free, no‑code tool lets merchants pull inventory from Amazon’s fulfillment centers to ship Shopify orders in unbranded...
US‑Ecuador Deal Slashes Copper Tariffs, Boosts Exports
The US-Ecuador trade deal could lower copper tariffs and open a new export path for Ecuadorian metals. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/04/us-ecuador-trade-deal-could-open-new.html
Germany Dominates European Trade as Primary Hub
Trade relationships in Europe are more concentrated than many assume. Germany is the top trade partner for 19 European countries by far the most dominant position. The U.S. leads in only a few cases, including the UK, Ireland, and Switzerland. China appears as the...
‘Rail Baltica in Lithuania to Be Complete in 2034’
Lithuania’s portion of the trans‑Baltic Rail Baltica line has been pushed back to 2034, four years later than the original 2030 target. A new government planning document outlines land‑acquisition efforts beginning in 2028 and finishing by 2030 to enable the...
Ukraine Drone Strikes Force Russia to Cut April Oil Output
April 21 (Reuters) - Russia was forced to reduce oil output in April due to Ukrainian drone attacks on ports and refineries, as well as a halt to crude supplies via the only remaining Russian oil pipeline to Europe, according...
Oil Shocks Barely Dent Global Manufacturing and Supply Chains
Oil shocks get sensationalized, but things don't look bad in global manufacturing. In fact, this shock barely registers in global supply chains. I'll move my posts behind a paywall in coming months, please consider signing up now to lock in...
China’s Tsingshan Plans to Build Another Aluminium Smelter in Indonesia
Chinese aluminium giant Tsingshan announced plans to build a new $3 billion smelter at Weda Bay Industrial Park in Indonesia, with a planned annual capacity of 800,000 tonnes split into two phases. The project joins existing Tsingshan‑linked facilities that will together...
Trump's Peace Board Negotiates Gaza Rebuild with DP World
Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ holds talks with DP World on rebuilding Gaza, FT says https://t.co/3sx4Z14CRk
Supply Chains Evolved Overnight; Others Still Catching Up
I stepped away from running supply chains for a few years. When I came back, like Rip Van Winkle in the classic tale, I found a completely new world. Lots of others are still catching up. Read the tale: https://t.co/yfprjLcO7C #SupplyChainDisruption #ReGlobalization https://t.co/0UfBaNqGwQ
Australia Institute on Gaslighting; Risky Flood Proposal; GetUp and Hanson; STH BNK by Beulah
A Nationals senator is fact‑checking the Australia Institute’s claim that a 25% gas export tax could fund free university and childcare, as the federal government reconsiders a new gas tax. In New South Wales, the state faces backlash for proposing...
Jet Fuel Shortage Looming; Save for Summer Flights
Even if the Iran ceasefire holds, the world already has a months-long jet fuel shortage baked in. So, start saving for those summer vacation flights. Full Newsletter: https://t.co/RZBrtJ5Ufo #iranwar #jetfuel #geopolitics https://t.co/WaIwrgDGKI
New Podcast Connects Today’s Events to Supply Chain History
Hey peeps. Jon of @asianometry and I have just launched @Supply_Chained A podcast exploring the link between current events & historical developments in technology, manufacturing, and supply chains. We hope you enjoy. https://t.co/4OJ57fzg0N
Gulf-War: China Fills the Gulf Airlines Gap
The Israel‑Hamas war has shut key Gulf airspace, forcing airlines to reroute via Turkey, the Caucasus or the Arabian Peninsula. Detours add thousands of kilometres daily, driving up kerosene consumption and pushing fuel prices higher as the Strait of Hormuz...
Russian Oil to India Near Record Levels Despite Sanctions Waiver
MOSCOW, April 21 (Reuters) - Russian oil sales to India are set to remain near record highs in April and May following a new U.S. sanctions waiver, and refiners have already secured much of their supply needs via non-sanctioned entities...
Russia to Halt Kazakhstan Oil Shipments to Germany
MOSCOW, April 21 (Reuters) - Russia is set to stop oil exports from Kazakhstan to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline starting from May 1, three industry sources said on Tuesday.
MASkargo and Teleport Team up on Southeast Asia Cargo
MASkargo and Teleport have formed a partnership to add dedicated Airbus A321F freighter capacity on intra‑Southeast Asia routes, starting with Kuala Lumpur‑Phnom Penh. The deal gives MASkargo, Malaysia Airlines’ cargo arm, greater flexibility and faster transit times amid rising e‑commerce, perishables...