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
2025 Results: ÖBB Rail Cargo Group Not Spared by Industrial Downturn
ÖBB’s Rail Cargo Group reported a 4% drop in transport performance to 26.2 bn net tonne‑kilometres in 2025, yet sales rose 6% to €2.09 bn (≈$2.30 bn). Earnings before taxes swung to a loss of €135.5 mn (≈-$149 mn), far deeper than the €24.5 mn loss a year earlier. The deterioration stems from a goodwill write‑down in Hungary, a €36 mn loss in the agricultural forwarding unit, and higher energy and construction‑related costs. ÖBB says it will trim uncompetitive services, boost capacity on key routes and streamline operations to reverse the trend in 2026.
MMD Strikes Deal with CiDi to Bring Autonomy to TraxIQ Platform
MMD Group Limited has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with CiDi Inc. to embed CiDi’s autonomous driving hardware and software into MMD’s TraxIQ material‑handling platform. The deal includes retrofit kits that will convert existing mining equipment into driverless units, allowing...
The Supply Gap No One’s Talking About Is Repricing Copper Developers
ING projects a 600,000‑tonne refined copper deficit by 2026 as ore grades have fallen 40% since 1991 and new mines take an average 17 years to reach production. Tight inventories and rising demand from AI infrastructure and grid expansion are...
Webinar Recap: The Role of Combined Transport During a Fuel Crisis
A RailFreight.com webinar featuring UIRR policy advisor Akos Ersek and Metrans head Martin Koubek examined how Europe’s combined‑transport sector can mitigate the current fuel crisis. They highlighted the mode’s lower dependence on oil, thanks to electric locomotives and trucks powered...
Catching the Harmonic Breeze: Inpex Charts LNG Fleet’s Course with New Carrier
Inpex Shipping has signed a long‑term time charter with MOL Encean for a newly built LNG carrier, Harmonic Breeze, currently under construction at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard. The vessel, featuring a 174,000 cubic‑metre membrane containment system, is slated for delivery in...
Russian Energy Remains Sticking Point as Hungary Eyes Fresh Start
Peter Magyar, Hungary's new prime minister, has signaled a more EU‑aligned stance but insists that any move away from Russian oil and gas must be preceded by viable alternatives. Hungary’s key supply line, the Druzhba pipeline, has been offline since...
Durham Brands Boosts Warehouse Productivity with New WMS
Durham Brands’ Gimme Beauty has lifted warehouse productivity and accuracy after deploying Infios' warehouse management system. Inventory accuracy climbed to 98.5% with zero audit errors, and case throughput per full‑time employee nearly doubled to 19,000. The company beat its December...
AD Ports Group Leverages Integrated Network to Keep Gulf Trade Flowing
AD Ports Group activated its integrated five‑cluster logistics network to keep Gulf trade moving amid heightened Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Since February it has rerouted cargo across land, rail, sea and air, handling over 54,000 TEUs at Fujairah and Khor Fakkan...
PNGRB Initiates Suo Motu Bidding Process for LPG Pipelines
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has launched a suo‑motu bidding process for nine LPG pipeline projects totaling about 2,500 km. The initiative aims to replace bulk road transport of LPG by 2030, improving safety, efficiency and environmental performance....
Purchase Without Limits | Integrate Your Favorite Suppliers with a Universal PunchOut Connector
Precoro launched a Universal PunchOut Connector that enables procurement teams to link any supplier’s catalog directly within the platform. Users simply provide supplier credentials, fill a short profile, and choose PR or PO initiation, completing integration in three steps without...
Man City Owner Sheikh Mansour Accused of Supplying Weapons to Sudan’s Genocidal RSF
Sheikh Mansour, owner of Manchester City and Abu Dhabi ruler, is facing calls for a ban from English football after NGO FairSquare alleged his involvement in supplying weapons to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a group accused of genocide. The...
Teijin Frontier Raises Polyester Fibre Prices by 20% Amid Rising Oil Costs
Teijin Frontier announced a 20% or greater price increase for its polyester fibres, filament and staple fibres, spun yarns and non‑woven fabrics, effective on shipments from 7 April 2026. The hike pushes overall textile prices up 15%‑25% as the company grapples with...
Trump’s Oil Gamble Could Blow up in His Face
Donald Trump’s escalation of the Iran conflict has pushed crude oil to about $100 a barrel and spurred a rapid redeployment of U.S. super‑tankers to the Atlantic, seeking to replace Gulf‑origin supplies now blocked by the Strait of Hormuz. While...
Nissan Eyes Chery Deal to Sublease Sunderland Plant
Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the UK is running at roughly 50% capacity, prompting the automaker to explore sub‑leasing options. The company is in talks with China’s Chery, and possibly Dongfeng, to share production lines at the facility that employs about...
Asia Reconsiders LNG, Turns to Renewables Amid Iran Conflict
Asia thinks twice about plans to embrace LNG as Iran war chokes supply 🇻🇳 Vietnam gas power project may switch to wind/solar +storage 🇹🇭 Thailand pushes for more renewables 🇨🇳 China wants to use more domestic fuel 🇲🇾 Malaysia aims to pump more gas...
US Widens Hormuz Blockade Net as Dark Fleet Hunted Across Pacific
The U.S. Central Command has broadened its blockade of Iranian shipping, now applying to all Iranian‑flagged vessels, OFAC‑sanctioned ships, and any craft suspected of moving contraband, regardless of location. The order expands the net to the Pacific, targeting dark‑fleet tankers...
6K Additive Wins $2M Defense Contract to Localize Critical Metal Powders
6K Additive has secured an approximately $2 million Phase II contract from the Department of Defense to transform scrap metal from U.S. military depots into high‑purity powders of nickel, titanium, tungsten and niobium. The 18‑month effort leverages the company’s UniMelt microwave‑plasma refining...
Europe Can Help Clear Mines in Strait of Hormuz, France Says
French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin announced that Belgium, the Netherlands and France have mine‑clearance assets that could escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The capability is defensive, not offensive, and will be discussed at a Paris meeting of...
The Uncertain Future of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor
The China‑Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) remains stalled despite renewed political overtures after Myanmar’s sham election. Beijing has backed the military regime, mediating ceasefires and establishing a BRI implementation committee, yet security crises in Rakhine and Shan states keep the Kyaukphyu...
The Fiscal Analysis of Rail Baltica Demonstrates the Project’s Financial Viability
A high‑level fiscal analysis by RB Rail shows that every euro invested in Rail Baltica’s construction generates roughly 19‑21 cents in tax revenue for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The study models three funding scenarios—conservative, mixed (most likely) and optimistic—illustrating how national budget contributions...
How Djibouti, Berbera, and Salalah Redrew the Map of Indian Ocean Trade
The Red Sea crisis forced major carriers to bypass the Suez Canal, redirecting vessels to alternative ports along the Horn of Africa. Djibouti, Somaliland’s Berbera, and Oman’s Salalah captured significant volumes of container traffic, reshaping the regional port hierarchy. The...
China Exports a Ton of Cleantech — and the World Is Poised to Want More
China remains the world’s leading producer of solar panels, batteries and wind‑turbine equipment, and it is rapidly expanding exports of electric vehicles and batteries, especially to Europe. Despite EU tariffs introduced in October 2024, Chinese EVs captured 9% of EU...
BMW I7 Sustainability Upgrades Cut Battery Supply Chain Emissions by 33%
BMW has upgraded the i7 luxury electric sedan with sixth‑generation (Gen6) battery cells that are produced using 100% renewable energy and higher shares of recycled lithium, cobalt and nickel. The new cells lower the battery’s supply‑chain carbon footprint by roughly...
Tata & Iveco’s 2026 Outlook Dampened by Middle East Conflict
Automotive World projects Tata Motors Ltd., including its Iveco commercial‑vehicle arm, to produce about 565,500 units in 2026, a modest 2.2% rise over 2025. The forecast is tempered by the ongoing Middle East conflict, which could curb freight volumes, lift...
Glass Fibre: EU Anti-Dumping Measures on Imports From Bahrain, Egypt, Thailand
The European Union has imposed anti‑dumping duties on glass‑fibre reinforcements imported from Bahrain, Egypt and Thailand, citing unfair practices by Chinese firms operating in those countries. Duties range from 11% to 25.4%, with Egyptian imports facing a combined rate of...
Basic Fuel Price Formula in Focus Amid Dramatic Shift in South Africa’s Supply Sources
South Africa’s Department of Mineral and Petroleum is overhauling its Basic Fuel Price (BFP) formula for diesel as the country pivots from Gulf‑origin imports to new suppliers in the Atlantic Basin, including Brazil, Mexico and the United States. The shift...
Hithium Signs €400 Million Spain Battery Gigafactory Investment Agreement After Two-Year Courtship
Chinese battery maker Hithium has signed a €400 million (US$471 million) investment commitment to build a gigafactory in Navarre, Spain, slated to create 700 direct jobs and start operations in 2027. The deal, signed by Hithium’s founder Jeff Wu and Spanish officials...
FT: Nissan, Chery Explore Unused Capacity Deal at Sunderland
Japanese automaker Nissan is in talks with Chinese manufacturer Chery to use idle capacity at its Sunderland, UK plant. Sources cited by the Financial Times say discussions have begun, though neither company has confirmed a deal. The Sunderland facility, capable...
Analytics Must Drive Source-to-Pay, but Not Necessarily Gen-AI
Xavier argues that P2P analytics must evolve from static, descriptive reporting to diagnostic, predictive, and ultimately prescriptive capabilities. By identifying root causes of delays, forecasting invoice payment risks, and recommending automated routing, analytics can drive end‑to‑end source‑to‑pay automation. He emphasizes...
Yangzijiang Maritime Places Major VLCC Bet with Eight-Ship Order
Yangzijiang Maritime Development, a Singapore‑listed shipowner, placed an order for eight new 319,000‑dwt VLCCs at a Chinese shipyard, with deliveries slated for 2028‑2030. The vessels will incorporate fuel‑optimised hulls, electronically controlled engines and other energy‑saving devices to meet or exceed...
Go Dual or Go Bust? Rationalising Operational Choices for the Future
Industry leaders at the CMA Shipping 2026 conference debated whether the maritime sector should adopt dual‑fuel engines or risk falling behind. The panel confirmed that dual‑fuel technology—capable of running on LNG, methanol, ethanol or ammonia—is technically mature, but widespread uptake is...
High-Speed CRRC EMUs Unveiled in Ningbo
CRRC and Ningbo Rail Transit have unveiled new Type A electric multiple units for Lines 10 and 12, capable of 160 km/h—double the speed of existing services. The lightweight, aerodynamic trains cut weight by 4.28 tons and reduce energy consumption by roughly 15 %. Designed for...
Pakistan Oil Tanker Is First to Cross Hormuz Since US Blockade
A Pakistan‑flagged Aframax tanker, the Shalamar, became the first vessel to exit the Strait of Hormuz with a crude cargo since the United States imposed a naval blockade earlier this week. The ship carried roughly 450,000 barrels of oil loaded...
Splash Wrap: Next Generation MSC
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) became the first container carrier to operate 1,000 vessels after the delivery of the 11,480‑teu MSC Migsan from Zhoushan Changhong shipyard in China. Founder Gianluigi Aponte, 85, handed the business to his son Diego and daughter Alexa,...
Seaspan Breaks Into MPP Segment with Four Newbuilds
Seaspan, the world’s largest container‑ship leasing firm, has placed its first dry‑bulk order, contracting China’s New Dayang Shipbuilding to build four 65,200‑dwt open‑hatch multipurpose vessels. The ships, equipped with gantry cranes and box‑shaped cargo holds, are slated for delivery in...
IMSAR Triples Manufacturing Capacity & Scales High-Performance Radar Production
IMSAR LLC announced that it has tripled its manufacturing footprint in Springville, Utah, and expanded its production workforce to meet surging demand for its airborne radar systems. The new facility consolidates engineering, rapid prototyping, and high‑volume assembly, allowing the company...
Russian GRU Cyber Campaign Targets Western Logistics Firms Supporting Ukraine
A joint cybersecurity advisory has identified a sustained Russian GRU operation, attributed to Unit 26165 (APT28/Fancy Bear), that has been targeting Western logistics firms and technology providers supporting Ukraine since early 2022. The campaign leverages credential‑guessing, spear‑phishing, and weaponized CVEs such as...
US Thriving, UK Struggling—Prediction Proven Right
I told ya’ll it was going well for the US and horrible bad for the UK over a month ago…
Pacific Basin Drops Methanol Dual-Fuel Orders in Newbuild Rethink
Pacific Basin Shipping has scrapped four 64,000‑dwt dual‑fuel ultramax newbuild orders and replaced them with four conventional vessels costing $156.8 million, slated for delivery between 2028 and mid‑2029. The company retained an option for two methanol dual‑fuel ultramaxes worth $91 million, with...
Bleckmann Partners Australian Swimwear Brand for First EU Logistics Base
Bleckmann has partnered with Australian swimwear label Kulani Kinis to launch the brand’s first European logistics hub in Venlo, Netherlands. The move shifts warehousing, order fulfilment and returns from Australia to Europe, cutting delivery times from up to six days...
Buying Badly
The article warns that many firms procure technology platforms without first defining the underlying business problem, leading to costly mis‑steps. It highlights that procurement expertise is a skill built over time and that independent specialists add value by challenging assumptions...
Infiniti QX65 Assembly Begins at Nissan’s Smyrna Plant
Nissan has begun assembling the all‑new 2027 Infiniti QX65 at its Smyrna, Tennessee plant, bringing the luxury brand’s U.S. production share to two‑thirds. The two‑row midsize SUV will arrive at dealerships in early summer 2026 with a base price of...
Portugal Grants Greater Autonomy to the Railway Company CP
Portugal has re‑classified state railway CP as a market entity, granting it greater financial and managerial autonomy. The change removes CP from the central government budget, allowing the operator to fund investments from its own revenues and easing the country’s...
Valeo Opens High-Voltage Inverter Lines at Étaples
Valeo has inaugurated high‑voltage inverter production lines at its Étaples plant in northern France, designating the site as the national hub for inverter assembly. The “High Voltage 2025” project will begin manufacturing in 2026, with the first electric commercial and...
Jensen Vs. Dwarkesh on China Chips
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang and analyst Dwarkesh Patel sparred over China’s access to advanced chips. Huang argued that retaining a U.S.‑centric technology stack and collaborative research would keep China dependent, while Patel warned that supplying the world’s best GPUs makes...
'Resilience Is Not a Buzzword': Palm Oil Leaders Call for Industry Reset Amid Global Shocks
Palm oil leaders on Eco‑Business’s new Resilience podcast warned that geopolitical and climate shocks are exposing fragilities in the sector’s sustainability model. The ongoing Middle East conflict has driven up fertilizer prices and created shortages, threatening a critical planting season....
Gallipoli Has 4 Lessons for the Strait of Hormuz Crisis
The article draws parallels between the 1915‑1916 Gallipoli campaign and the 2026 U.S. blockade of Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. It argues that small strategic moves can balloon into costly, protracted conflicts when powers underestimate chokepoint defenses and...
EU Deforestation Law Nudges Timber Trade, Indonesia Probe Shows, but Risks Persist
An Earthsight investigation traced Indonesian timber harvested from recently cleared forests to European importers, showing that deforestation‑linked wood still reaches EU markets despite the upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The probe prompted several European buyers, such as Belgium’s Fepco International...
Europe Tests ‘Third Way’ on Hormuz without the US, Israel and Iran. Will It Work?
A European-led coalition of more than 30 nations is convening in Paris to craft a "credible proposal" for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which roughly 34% of global oil trade passed last year. The effort deliberately excludes...
TSMC Expands Global 3nm Capacity to Meet Rising AI Demand
TSMC announced an accelerated rollout of its 3nm process across three continents to satisfy surging AI and high‑performance computing demand. A new 3nm fab at the Tainan GIGAFAB site in Taiwan will begin mass production in the first half of...