Today's Supply Chain Pulse
Strait of Hormuz closure stalls oil price surge despite 100‑day shutdown
The strategic waterway has been shut for 100 days, yet oil prices have not spiked. Prices fell after a U.S.–Iran deal was announced, and analysts warn that any relief to the oil market could take months to materialize.
Also developing:
By the numbers: GIA acquires 30% stake in De Beers' Tracr blockchain platform
MSC Adds Napier Call to Eagle Service Rotation
MSC announced that its Eagle service will begin calling at Napier, New Zealand, starting in June 2026. The rotation now links Philadelphia, Savannah, Freeport, Balboa, Papeete, Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, Balboa and Cristobal before returning to Philadelphia. Adding Napier expands MSC’s New Zealand port coverage and deepens connectivity between the U.S. East Coast and Oceania. The Eagle loop remains one of MSC’s most extensive long‑haul routes across the transpacific corridor.
Samskip Adds Halmstad to Europe–Iceland Blue Service
Samskip is adding the Swedish port of Halmstad to its Europe‑Iceland Blue service starting in September. The service, run with two 900‑TEU vessels, will now call at Rotterdam, Cuxhaven, Gothenburg, Halmstad, Aarhus, Runavik, Reykjavik, Grundartangi and Vestmannaeyjar before returning to...
Japan's Imports of Oil-Derived Naphtha Plunge 47% in April Due to Iran War
Japan’s imports of oil‑derived naphtha dropped 47% in April to 1.14 million kiloliters year‑on‑year, driven by a 79% plunge in Middle‑East shipments after the U.S.–Israeli attacks on Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz. The United States surged to become the top...
Pentagon’s ‘Supply Chain Risk’ Label and CISA Alert Spotlight Surge in Cyber‑Supply‑Chain Threats
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an urgent alert about malicious Nx Console VSCode extensions and the Megalodon GitHub‑Action campaign, while a separate Quartz report notes the Pentagon’s “supply chain risk” label is being wielded as a...
Ukraine’s Drone Surge Gives Kyiv Tactical Edge as Russian Swarms Reach NATO Borders
Ukraine has accelerated drone manufacturing and deep‑strike operations, claiming to hold more ground and inflict greater damage on Russian forces. At the same time, a Russian Geran‑2 drone crashed in Romania, injuring two civilians and prompting NATO to tighten air‑defence...
Australia’s Truckies Were Already Struggling to Survive. Then the Fuel Crisis Hit
Australia’s long‑haul owner‑drivers were already operating on razor‑thin margins when the Iran war triggered a global fuel crisis, pushing diesel from about A$1.80 (≈US$1.20) to a peak of A$3.20 per litre (≈US$2.10) in April. The surge forced many, like veteran...
Chile Approves $4.45 Billion Expansion to Triple San Antonio Port Capacity
Chile's environmental regulators have cleared a $4.45 billion plan to triple the cargo‑handling capacity of the San Antonio port, the country's largest maritime gateway. The expansion, slated for construction in 2027, aims to process up to six million 20‑foot containers annually...
Gene Kwon Calls on Companies to Cut Complexity and Boost Shipping Efficiency
Salt Lake City entrepreneur Gene Kwon is urging businesses—especially small and mid‑size firms—to simplify logistics and strengthen operations. He warns that overly complex systems waste time and money, and he promotes mentorship and partnership as levers for sustainable growth.
Ports of Hamburg and Tallinn Strengthen Baltic Sea Cooperation
Hamburg’s Senator for Economic Affairs welcomed Estonia’s Minister of Infrastructure, culminating in a Letter of Intent between the Hamburg Port Authority, Port of Hamburg Marketing and the Port of Tallinn. The pact focuses on digitalisation, decarbonisation, cybersecurity, military mobility and...
The U.S.-China Rivalry Is Killing Global Supply Chains. Your Portfolio Ne...
The article warns that the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry, compounded by broader great‑power tensions, is unraveling integrated global supply chains. It argues that traditional globalization is being supplanted by geopolitical “cartels” and a push toward domestic, state‑subsidized production. While the United...
Amtrak Work Train Fire Halts NJ Transit, LIRR Service at Penn Station
An Amtrak contractor maintenance vehicle ignited in a Hudson River tunnel early Friday, prompting a two‑alarm fire that injured five civilians and forced NJ Transit, Amtrak and the Long Island Rail Road to suspend service at New York’s Penn Station....
China’s AI‑Driven Manufacturing Push Signals New Era for CRO Scaling
At the World Intelligence Expo 2026, Chinese officials unveiled an accelerated “intelligent manufacturing” agenda that compels firms to embed AI across supply‑chain and production lines. Executives from Karcher, the EU Chamber and Grundfos hailed the policy as a catalyst for...
ShipBob Faces Alleged Merchant Exodus, Raising 3PL Capacity Concerns
ShipBob, the Chicago‑based 3PL champion for scaling DTC brands, is alleged to have lost a wave of mid‑market merchants in the first quarter of 2026, especially from its New Jersey and Pennsylvania hubs. The churn has triggered an internal capacity...
Hyundai to Deploy 25,000 Boston Dynamics Atlas Humanoids in U.S. Auto Plants
Hyundai Motor Group announced plans to field more than 25,000 Boston Dynamics Atlas humanoid robots across its U.S. auto factories, with production capacity slated to reach 30,000 units per year by 2028. The rollout, outlined in investor‑relations material for a...
US Treasury Sanctions Iran’s Maritime Extortion (PGSA Aka “Tehran Toll Booth”) As Requested by US Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Cotton
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Iran’s newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), a front for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that demands up to $2 million tolls for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz....
Southern Tyrrhenian Port Authority Launches Institutional Dialogue on Port Development
The Southern Tyrrhenian and Ionian Sea Port Authority held its first institutional meeting at Vibo Valentia Marina to unveil a multi‑year development plan. Officials presented projects such as the Cortese Dock overhaul, demolition of the old Civam building and upgrades to...
WK Kellogg to Shut Omaha Cereal Plant, Cutting 451 Jobs
WK Kellogg Co. announced the permanent closure of its Omaha, Nebraska cereal plant, ending 451 jobs in two phases from July to August 2026. The shutdown is part of a supply‑chain modernization plan driven by a decade‑long decline in cold‑cereal...
Rio De Janeiro Port Upgrades Channel to Receive Larger Vessels
The Port of Rio de Janeiro completed a $32 million dredging and engineering project that deepened its main channel to 16.2 metres and raised the operational draught to 15.3 metres. The upgrade now authorises vessels up to 366 metres in length, exemplified by the...
23 Years of Maritime Logistics Research
The term "maritime logistics" was coined in a 2003 editorial and has since become a staple in over 100 university programs worldwide. Over the past 23 years, carriers such as Maersk, Cosco, and CMA CGM evolved from pure shipping operators...
The TCO Trap: Why the Cheapest Supplier Becomes the Most Expensive Decision
The post warns that chasing the lowest purchase price creates a hidden Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) trap. Real‑world examples—such as two semiconductor packaging machines where the cheaper unit lost $1.5 million in yield and downtime—show that upfront savings can be...
Honda Backs UK Silicon‑battery Maker Nexeon as Philippines Eyes Nickel to Fuel EV Supply Chain
Honda’s Xcelerator Ventures announced a new stake in UK battery specialist Nexeon, reinforcing its silicon‑anode push, while the Philippines’ Senate pushes legislation to turn its vast nickel reserves into domestic battery production. Both moves underscore a race to secure raw...
Evergreen Approves Order for 18,000 New Containers
Evergreen Marine Corporation has approved a procurement programme for 18,000 new containers worth up to $65.5 million, averaging about $3,417 per unit. The order focuses on 40‑foot dry containers and will be manufactured by Evergreen Heavy Industrial in Malaysia, one of...
JAC Officially Opens Joint Venture Plant in Tashkent
JAC has opened a joint‑venture assembly plant in Tashkent’s Yangi Avlod Industrial Park, partnering with the Tashkent Investment Company. The facility will produce a range of models—including the M3, M4, Xingrui, JS8, RF8, T8 and T9—covering both commercial and passenger...
Medline Details Its Prime Vendor Model Expansion Into Canada
Medline announced the expansion of its Prime vendor supply model into Canada, naming Mohawk Medbury as the first customer. The agreement gives Medline control over product sourcing, inventory, distribution and daily deliveries from its Guelph warehouse for hospitals in southwestern...
China Extends Zero‑Tariff Access to Niger, Deepening Oil‑Centric Ties
China has broadened its zero‑tariff regime to cover imports from Niger, joining 52 other African partners. The move underpins a $5 billion Chinese investment in Niger’s oil sector and a $2 billion export pipeline, tightening Beijing’s leverage as the junta seeks fiscal...
Pentagon Awards Dell $9.7 B Deal to Consolidate Microsoft 365 Across DoD, Intelligence Agencies
The U.S. Department of Defense has signed a five‑year, $9.7 billion contract with Dell Federal Systems to consolidate Microsoft 365 and cloud licences for the DoD, intelligence community and Coast Guard. The arrangement promises roughly $422 million in yearly cost savings by...
World’s Top Economic Bodies Warn Hormuz Disruptions Are Draining Oil Inventories at Record Pace
Four leading global institutions – the IEA, IMF, World Bank and WTO – issued a rare joint warning that ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are rapidly depleting oil inventories. Shipping through the chokepoint remains far below pre‑war levels,...
Cosco and Argentina’s PTP Commit to Invest €116m in Spanish Port
China Cosco Shipping and Argentina’s PTP Group have secured a 50‑year concession to build a new multipurpose terminal at Spain’s Tarragona port, committing €116 million (about $135 million). The project will develop a 510,000‑square‑metre site that includes a wharf and rail connections,...
UPS Expands Support for Manufacturers with $50 Million Expansion
Supply‑chain visibility is being transformed by sensor technology as the global market, valued at $10.5 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $25.8 billion by 2033. Walmart has partnered with ambient‑IoT firm Wiliot to deploy battery‑free Pixel tags on pallets, aiming to...
Quarter of Big Oil Tankers Trapped by Iran War Have Escaped
About a quarter of the non‑Iranian super‑tankers stranded in the Persian Gulf after the February 28 closure of the Strait of Hormuz have now slipped through. Bloomberg data shows 29 of the 109 vessels capable of carrying 700,000 barrels or more...
Doosan Enerbility Taps Rolls‑Royce SMR as Strategic Component Partner
Doosan Enerbility was chosen as the strategic manufacturing partner for key components in Rolls‑Royce Small Modular Reactor (SMR) projects at Wylfa in Britain and Temelin in the Czech Republic. The deal deepens Doosan’s entry into the nuclear‑energy supply chain and...
Tensions on Middle East Maritime Routes Threaten Global Trade, Vietnam Leader Warns
Vietnam President To Lam warned at the Shangri‑La Dialogue that rising tensions on key Middle East maritime routes could disrupt global trade and energy supplies. He emphasized that a single flashpoint—such as the Bab al‑Mandab or Strait of Hormuz—can reverberate through...
US‑Iran Tentative 60‑Day Ceasefire Deal Awaits Trump Approval, Stakes on Oil and Nuclear Talks
U.S. and Iranian negotiators have drafted a 60‑day cease‑fire extension that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and launch nuclear‑program talks, but the agreement still requires President Donald Trump's signature. The deal promises to lift Iranian tolls on shipping and...
Fortuna Metals Rolls Out Precision‑Manufacturing Service Line for Global Robotics
Fortuna Metals announced a new end‑to‑end precision‑manufacturing service line that combines design‑for‑manufacturability analysis, rapid prototyping, stamping, CNC machining and quality inspection. The offering, built on 85 high‑speed stamping presses and 42 multi‑axis CNC machines, aims to tighten tolerances, cut costs...
Japan Backs Philippine’s Strategic Oil Reserve Plan
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has signed a cooperation agreement with the Philippines’ Department of Energy to develop a strategic petroleum reserve program. The partnership will include feasibility studies, technical assistance, and potential financing for new storage facilities...
Graphite One Secures Ohio Site for 10,000-Tonne Battery Anode Materials Facility
Graphite One has secured a 30‑acre site in Conneaut, Ohio to build its Active Anode Materials plant, leveraging lake, rail and power access. Phase One will produce 10,000 tonnes of lithium‑ion anode material annually, split among energy‑storage, fast‑charging and high‑energy‑density grades, with...
How Rail Mega-Merger Moved Ahead, and STB Avoided Making History
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern’s $85 billion merger advanced after the Surface Transportation Board (STB) declined a historic second rejection, instead requesting additional data. The market reacted sharply, erasing roughly $7.5 billion—about 10% of the deal’s estimated value—from the two railroads’ combined...
Evergreen and T.S. Lines Agree Slot Swap on Asia–Japan Services
Evergreen Marine Corporation and T.S. Lines have signed a slot‑swap agreement covering Evergreen’s JPI service and T.S. Lines’ JHTN service across China, Taiwan and Japan. The one‑way exchange lets each carrier add capacity on the partner’s route without deploying extra...
Trump Administration Wants Autos Under USMCA to Be at Least 50% Made in the US - WSJ
The Trump administration is drafting a proposal to tighten USMCA automotive rules of origin, requiring at least 50% of a vehicle’s components to be sourced from the United States to qualify for preferential tariffs. Under the current pact, vehicles need...
The Race for Madagascar Has Already Started
Madagascar’s October 2025 coup and subsequent power reshuffle have thrust the island into a geopolitical spotlight. The nation sits on sizable deposits of nickel, cobalt, graphite and other critical minerals essential for modern technologies. Russia has deepened ties, providing weapons, training...
UPS Expands Airfreight Reach Across North America and Mexico
UPS announced that its North American Air Freight (NAAF) service will launch time‑definite heavy airfreight options to and from Mexico starting in August. Customers can choose one‑, two‑ or three‑day delivery windows, aiming to move high‑value, time‑sensitive parts faster and...
Supply Chain KPIs Are No Longer Keeping Up with the Job
Supply chain leaders are now tasked with resilience, speed, risk mitigation, and strategic alignment, yet most organizations still evaluate performance with legacy cost‑centric KPIs. The Institute for Supply Management warns that this mismatch incentivizes short‑term savings at the expense of...
Tesla Is Starting Production of Its Cybercab Robotaxi
Tesla announced that volume production of its two‑seat Cybercab robotaxi has begun at the Giga Texas plant. While a prototype rolled off the line in February, the company is now scaling manufacturing, though Elon Musk warned the ramp will follow...
Gartner Says Supply Chain Confront Geopolitical and AI Challenges
At Gartner’s Supply Chain Symposium, analyst Alejandro Santalo warned that supply‑chain leaders face a dual shock from tightening geopolitics and AI‑driven capacity constraints. He urged executives to build operational flexibility, diversify sourcing, and secure long‑term semiconductor allocations as hyperscalers reshape...
Intel and 3DGS Back a $3.3bn Glass-Substrate Plant in India’s Odisha
Intel and 3D Glass Solutions have signed an MoU to build a $3.3 billion glass‑core substrate plant in Odisha, India, over the next five to six years. The facility will target production of about 70,000 glass substrates, 50 million assembled units and...
Medkon Plans Far East–Mediterranean Service Launch
Medkon Lines will debut its BTN service next month, offering a single 1,100‑TEU sailing that links Shanghai and Ningbo with Turkey’s Istanbul (Ambarli) and Izmit (Gebze) ports. The carrier frames the launch as a step toward tighter Far East‑Turkey connectivity...
Belgian Airports Unite for Digitalisation of Cargo Customs Processes
Belgian airports Brussels, Liège and Ostend‑Bruges are adopting a shared digital customs platform coordinated by Air Cargo Belgium and LGG Connect. The system lets cargo operators submit import, export and transit declarations, including Temporary Storage Declarations, via BRUCloud and LGG...
SAAM Takes Full Control of Intertug’s Ops in Colombia and Mexico
SAAM completed purchase of the remaining 30% stake in Intertug’s Colombian and Mexican operations for $30.5 million, gaining full ownership. The deal follows its 2021 acquisition of a 70% stake, cementing SAAM’s presence in Latin America. SAAM Towage now controls a...
Steinerfilm to Shut U.S. Plant, Cutting 34 Jobs Amid Tariffs and Supply‑Chain Strain
Steinerfilm, the longtime maker of metallized plastic film in Williamstown, Massachusetts, announced it will close its U.S. facility by the end of June, laying off 34 workers. The decision stems from rising costs, supply‑chain disruptions and a 100% tariff on...
Malacca’s Pegoh Plant Ramps Up to 30,000 EVs a Year, Marking Southeast Asia’s New Assembly Hub
EP Manufacturing Berhad’s Pegoh plant in Malacca has shifted from pilot runs to full‑scale production, targeting up to 30,000 electric vehicles a year. The first locally assembled MG S5 EV rolled off the line in March 2026, and Chinese brands...