Today's Supply Chain Pulse
Shipowners stay cautious despite US‑Iran Hormuz reopening deal
President Trump announced a deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, ending the naval blockade that had closed the oil conduit since late February. Shipowners, however, remain wary, pointing to 57 recorded security incidents and lingering mines, and are opting for lower‑risk routes until safety can be assured.
Also developing:
By the numbers: GIA acquires 30% stake in De Beers' Tracr blockchain platform
Transit Briefs: ATP, CTDOT
The Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) has awarded Kiewit Austin Partnership the design‑build contract for the Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) that will support Austin’s $7 billion Project Connect light‑rail system. The OMF will house vehicle storage, servicing and dispatch, creating thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of permanent positions. ATP also secured a Federal Transit Administration Record of Decision, clearing the environmental review and moving the project closer to federal funding. Meanwhile, Connecticut DOT held a public meeting on a $402 million New Haven Union Station platform and canopy upgrade slated to begin construction in spring 2029.
New U.S.-Backed Industrial Hub Signals Where AI-Era Jobs Will Be Built Next
The United States and the Philippines announced a joint 4,000‑acre industrial hub in New Clark City, the Philippines’ flagship planned metropolis. The hub is part of Pax Silica, the Washington‑led program now counting 13 partner countries to protect AI, semiconductor and...
Ship Industry Cautiously Awaits Iran's Vague Policy Shift
BBG: "Bloomberg spoke to over a dozen ship owners, agents, brokers and traders, most of whom asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations. The majority said Iran’s statement lacked detail, and that they would wait and see how it...
Questions Surround Hormuz Reopening After Lebanon Ceasefire
A ten‑day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect Thursday night, and within days Iran announced it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran linked the decision to the ceasefire, portraying the lull as a sign of broader regional stability....
Korean Tanker Transits Alternative Red Sea Route For First Time
South Korea successfully sent a Korean‑flagged oil tanker through the Red Sea, marking the first such transit since the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed after Iran’s retaliation to U.S.-Israeli strikes. The move is part of Seoul’s broader strategy to...
When Do Aircraft Actually Get Built — and Delivered?
AirInsight’s latest data shows Boeing conducts first‑flight tests seven days a week, logging nearly 1,000 weekend flights, while Airbus restricts first flights to weekdays with only 50 Sundays recorded. When it comes to delivering aircraft, both manufacturers converge on business‑day...
India Can Handle the Energy Shock if Iran Ceasefire Holds, Top Government Adviser Says
India’s chief economic adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran said the country can absorb the current energy‑price shock from the Iran war if the cease‑fire holds and extends. He expects oil supply and prices to normalise by the end of Q3 2026, allowing India...
How the Savannah Bananas Built a Traveling Retail Supply Chain
Warehouse director Tucker Robinson oversees a 100,000‑sq‑ft hub that supplies the Savannah Bananas’ e‑commerce store, home stadium shop, and a traveling “World Tour” that delivers up to four semi‑trucks of merchandise to venues nationwide. The team keeps inventory synchronized across...
Rhenus Logistics Expands Asia–LATAM Trade with Record Growth
Rhenus Logistics handled over 170,000 TEUs in 2025, placing it among the top three providers on the Asia‑Latin America trade lane. The firm ranked No. 1 for Far East inbound shipments to Argentina, Colombia and Paraguay, underscoring its leadership in key...
Cuban President Díaz‑Canel Warns of US Aggression, Says Island Ready to Defend Itself
Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel told a rally commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Revolution’s socialist declaration that Cuba does not seek US military aggression but is prepared to fight. The remarks come as Washington tightens an energy blockade and threatens...
Australia Secures 100 Million‑Litre Diesel Boost Amid Fuel Crisis
Australia has secured an emergency shipment of 100 million litres of diesel from Brunei and South Korea following high‑level negotiations, a move aimed at easing a severe fuel shortage caused by Middle‑East conflict and a refinery fire. The boost comes as...
Geopolitics and AI Redefine Semiconductor Success Strategies
The semiconductor industry is no longer just about technology. Supply chains and geopolitics are now at the center of strategic decisions, with factors like export controls, geographic concentration, and material dependencies shaping which companies can scale and succeed. These risks create...
UPS Deploys $100 Million RFID Network to Boost E‑commerce Shipment Visibility
UPS announced a $100 million rollout of RFID technology across its U.S. package network, integrating sensors into every delivery vehicle, distribution hub and more than 5,500 UPS Store locations. The move promises real‑time visibility for e‑commerce shippers and positions UPS as...
Netherlands Commits €248 Million ($293 M) to Build Drones for Ukraine
The Netherlands announced a €248 million ($293 million) program to manufacture combat drones for Ukraine, with production split between Dutch and Ukrainian facilities. The move underscores the growing reliance on unmanned systems in the war and signals deeper European industrial involvement.
Wholesale Diesel Plunges; Retail Lags—Buy Cost‑plus
Diesel wholesale rack prices have dropped $.70/gallon in the past week and could drop another $.50 -.70 gallon over the weekend. Meanwhile, retail diesel has only dropped $.15/gallon since last week and if past trends hold the truckstops will be...
Is Hormuz Strait Open? A Short Comment for Traders and Investors
Traders are closely watching the Strait of Hormuz after recent satellite data confirmed that the main shipping lane remains fully operational. Kpler’s April 17 2026 analysis shows no significant vessel congestion or closures, despite regional geopolitical tensions. The report highlights that oil...
The Strait of Hormuz to Reopen, Says Iran
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the Strait of Hormuz – the narrow maritime corridor linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman – is officially reopened for the remainder of the cease‑fire between Israel and Lebanon. The...
Iran Hardliners Attack Araghchi's Hormuz Tweet as 'Incomplete and Misleading'
Hardline Iranian voices slammed Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s April 17 tweet announcing the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz during the Lebanon cease‑fire as incomplete and misleading. The brief message omitted key conditions, including IRGC supervision of ship movements and...
Ships Sailing Through Hormuz Need Prior Coordination with the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary GuardCorps
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that all commercial vessels must obtain prior coordination before transiting the Strait of Hormuz, though the waterway remains technically open. The coordination includes approval from the IRGC and Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization, with...
Europe's Inaction on Russian Oil Fuels Ukrainian Suffering
As a European, I hang my head in shame. The US has shown that if you blockade an oil exporter, they fold quickly. Europe can do this to Russia and shut down oil tanker traffic out of the Baltic. But...
Spot Market Gains Signal Tightening Truckload Capacity, Notes DAT Truckload Volume Index
DAT Freight & Analytics reported a sharp rise in March spot truckload volumes and rates, with the Van TVI hitting 253, a 12% month‑over‑month gain, and flatbed TVI soaring 18% to 314. Spot rates climbed to $2.52 per mile for...
India’s Wheat Procurement Plummets 40% Due to Delayed Start in Madhya Pradesh
India’s wheat procurement for the 2026‑27 Rabi season is down 40% year‑on‑year, with total purchases at 5.134 million tonnes versus 8.357 million tonnes last year. Quality‑norm relaxations in Punjab and Haryana have already boosted purchases in those states, while Madhya Pradesh’s procurement...
USPS Imposes Strict May 1 Deadline on Non-Domiciled CDL Drivers for Mail Transport
The U.S. Postal Service announced that, effective May 1, any non‑domiciled CDL driver must be screened and badged by the Postal Inspection Service before hauling mail. Suppliers are responsible for submitting the required forms and must complete the clearance within two...
Rio Tinto Partners With AI Singapore to Strengthen Supply Chain
Rio Tinto has entered a two‑year Memorandum of Understanding with AI Singapore to co‑develop artificial‑intelligence tools for its global supply chain. The collaboration builds on an AI‑driven freight‑invoice processing pilot that handles more than 10,000 invoices each year. By leveraging...
Pushing the Limits
E‑commerce growth is spurring demand for flexible conveyor sortation systems. The global market is projected to grow 4.5% CAGR through 2035, reaching $7.5 billion. Regal Rexnord’s ModSort module offers all‑electric, omnidirectional diverting for packages up to 30×30 in and 50 lb at 35‑50 ppm,...
Transparency Data: Ministry of Defence Payment Spot Checks
The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has published its Payment Spot Checks data for the first quarter of 2026, showing a nil return – no payment discrepancies were identified. The release complies with Procurement Policy Note 021, which mandates regular spot...
Europe Moves From Rhetoric to Planning as Paris Summit Weighs Hormuz Security Mission
European leaders gathered in Paris, chaired by Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer, to move from rhetoric to concrete planning for a multinational mission securing commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Around 40 countries, including Germany and Italy, discussed a...
Peace Won’t Instantly End Energy and Fertilizer Shortages
IF we are close to the end of the war, that does not end the shortage of energy and fertilizer, but it is the beginning of assessing the damage and the repair time needed to get back to full output...
Prime Minister Says UK and France to Lead Mission to Restore Shipping Movement in Strait of Hormuz
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom and France will co‑lead a multinational mission to restore safe commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran declared the waterway open. The effort will focus on peaceful mine‑clearance operations,...
Brussels Under Pressure as Europe Risks Running Out of Jet Fuel
The European Union will unveil a draft plan on April 22 to address a looming jet‑fuel shortage triggered by the stalled reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal could introduce bloc‑wide monitoring of airport fuel inventories and a temporary suspension...
Corpus Christi Water Crisis Threatens Long-Term Jet Fuel Supply
Severe water scarcity in Corpus Christi is endangering the South Texas refining hub that produces the bulk of jet fuel for major airports such as Austin‑Bergstrom and Dallas/Fort Worth. Reservoir levels have fallen to historic lows, prompting the city to...
Jet Prices Dip Slightly on Hopes Hormuz Traffic Will Resume Soon
Jet fuel prices slipped modestly as optimism grew that a U.S.-Iran cease‑fire could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. European jet‑fuel benchmarks have fallen about 16% from their recent peak but remain roughly 90% above pre‑war levels....
Exclusive: David Protein Scales Alt-Fat EPG Capacity, Eyes CPG Deals as CEO Targets $300m Revenues in 2026
David Protein, founded by RXBAR creator Peter Rahal, has quintupled production of its low‑calorie fat replacer EPG after acquiring Epogee. The company aims to generate more than $300 million in revenue by 2026 and is courting major CPG partners while expanding...
Oil Drop Boosts Truckers' Margins, Spot Rates Unchanged
Oil is collapsing, now down to $79 a barrel on crude. This will provide overnight relief to any motor carrier that is on wholesale or cost plus deals with the truckstops. But is unlikely to change trucking spot rates because...
EU to ‘Play Its Part’ to Restore Energy and Trade Flows From Middle East
The European Union announced it is prepared to send additional warships to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once a ceasefire is secured. EU leaders discussed expanding the Aspides naval mission, which currently operates in the Red Sea, Gulf...
Rawcology Scales with AMI Partnership, Niagara Retail Debut
Toronto‑based functional snack brand Rawcology announced a joint venture with AM Ingredients (AMI) that gives it access to a 19,000‑square‑foot manufacturing plant and a 50,000‑square‑foot cross‑docking hub in Niagara‑on‑the‑Lake. The new infrastructure will enable coast‑to‑coast distribution, support a second Costco...
Warburtons Invests £100M and Acquires New Site
Warburtons is spending more than £100 million (about $125 million) to mark its 150th anniversary, acquiring the former Rathbones bakery in Wakefield and upgrading its gluten‑free plant, a new distribution centre, and three production lines. The purchase expands the company’s footprint to...
Virtus Minerals Signs First Major Deal Under US-DRC Critical Minerals Partnership
Virtus Minerals, a U.S. firm with just eight staff, has completed its first major transaction under the U.S.–DRC critical‑minerals pact by acquiring Chemaf and its copper‑cobalt assets in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The purchase includes the Mutoshi mine, which...
Salesupply and BrandOn Group Announce Partnership
Dutch ecommerce provider Salesupply has teamed up with Italy’s BrandOn Group to create a unified cross‑border solution for Italian brands. Salesupply, which supports more than 500 online retailers with fulfillment and customer‑service capabilities, will supply its logistics network across Europe....
Navy’s Civilian‑manned Sealift Keeps Fleets Fed, Fueled
🚨NAVY LOGISTICS 🚨 Everyone seems concerned that the @usnavy ships in the Arabian Sea - carrier Abraham Lincoln stike group, 3-ship amphibious group based on Tripoli, and a surface action group centered on approximately 8 destroyers - are running low on...
Strait of Hormuz Not Truly Open Without
If navigation is not possible for all merchant vessels using the standard IMO traffic separation scheme, and without payment of a toll to Iran, then the SoH is not actually open.
Cebu Pacific, Jettainer Extend Long-Term Partnership
Philippines’ leading carrier Cebu Pacific has renewed and expanded its long‑term partnership with ULD specialist Jettainer. The early renewal extends comprehensive unit‑load‑device management and adds Jettainer’s new IoT tracking solution that uses LoRa, BLE and cellular mesh technology. The agreement...
Iran Mandates Specific Shipping Lane Despite Trump’s Openness Claim
President Trump says the Strait of Hormuz is open. But do note Tehran says shipping traffic needs to follow the "coordinated route as already announced” by Iran. What's that route? My @Opinion video explainer, published originally last week, shows it. https://t.co/Pg7UBNarHY
Namibia's Role Expands in Global Uranium Supply
Namibia is going to be even more important in the uranium global supply chain https://t.co/WlUcO6YDh3
False Optimism on Hormuz Threatens Seafarer Safety
The rhetoric around the Strait of Hormuz being open is going to get seafarers killed https://t.co/UF8FsbKqsy
Hormuz Transit Open Only in Name—Avoid and Delay Voyages
Tanker shipping association INTERTANKO : Hormuz “open” in name only. Ceasefire holding, but transits remain under Iranian control + U.S. blockade in force. Key guidance: delay voyages, avoid the area if possible—and do not pay transit fees to Iran amid risk...
Strait of Hormuz Appears ‘Open’ Yet Something’s
Check in on the "open" Strait of Hormuz. Something's missing but I can't put my finger on it https://t.co/Pr2PQBKlFe
Trump Claims Iran Won’t Close Hormuz; Iran Threatens Closure
Love these competing blockade headlines: Trump said Iran has agreed to never close the Strait of Hormuz again. An Iranian official told Fars that if the U.S. naval blockade persists, Tehran will consider it a violation of the ceasefire and will close...
Strait of Hormuz Reopens, Physical Oil Prices Converge to Futures
The blockade called Iran's bluff and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in response is a remarkable success in very little time. Physical oil prices (white) will now converge down to futures prices (orange), a scenario most didn't think...
Pentagon Partners with Automakers to Boost Weapons Output
The WSJ reports that Pentagon officials have held talks with Ford, GE Aerospace, Oshkosh, and General Motors to INCREASE production of munitions and weapons. In the US, the military-industrial complex runs the show. https://t.co/0uzkM2NGmE