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
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 and a high‑profile Kremlin visit, raising concerns about adversary influence. The United States, leveraging existing defense and partnership tools, can engage now to secure mineral access and counter competing powers in the western Indian Ocean.
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...
EU Aid Plane Delivers Critical Supplies to Congo Ebola Epicenter as WHO Heads to Kinshasa
A European Union cargo plane delivered masks, gloves, boots and medication to Bunia, the heart of the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in Ituri province, as WHO Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus traveled to Kinshasa. The United States increased its assistance by $80 million,...
Sweden to Supply Ukraine Up to 20 Gripen Jets, 16 Equipped with Meteor Missiles
Sweden announced a package that includes 16 donated Gripen C/D fighters armed with long‑range Meteor missiles and a purchase option for up to 20 Gripen E/F aircraft funded by a €2.5 billion EU loan. The deal, unveiled at Uppsala Air Base,...
USPS Secures $10 B Last‑Mile Deal with DHL eCommerce, Expanding U.S. Delivery Network
The United States Postal Service has signed a multi‑year $10 billion contract with DHL eCommerce to provide last‑mile delivery across 170 million U.S. addresses. The deal, announced Thursday, aims to broaden USPS’s revenue base while giving DHL a nationwide footprint without adding...
DEME’s Japanese JV Wins Contract to Install 21 × 15 MW Turbines, Japan’s First 15 MW Offshore Units
DEME Group, through its Japanese joint venture Japan Offshore Marine (JOM), secured a contract to install 21 Vestas V236‑15 MW turbines for the Oga‑Katagami‑Akita offshore wind project. The deal, valued at the installation of 315 MW of capacity, represents Japan’s first deployment...
How Orchestration of Humans and AMRs Will Modernize the Warehouse
The article explains that modern warehouses must move beyond simply deploying autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to orchestrating them with human workers. Intelligent software layers dynamically assign tasks, synchronize robot movements, and enable real‑time communication, turning humans and robots into a...
Rates Spike on Horizon as Pressures on Liner Networks Tighten
South African Association of Freight Forwarders researcher Jacob van Rensburg warns that freight rates could rise sharply in the coming weeks as the Global Supply Chain Pressure Index (GSCPI) climbs and carriers regain pricing power. Historical data show carrier profits...
Why Is the Strait of Hormuz Important?
The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly 20.9 million barrels of petroleum liquids each day, about one‑fifth of global oil consumption and a quarter of all seaborne oil trade, plus over 20 % of LNG shipments. Because the corridor links major Gulf exporters...
Pivot Raises $40 Million to Rebuild Enterprise Procurement Around Agentic AI
Pivot announced a $40 million Series B round, bringing its total funding to $70 million, to accelerate its AI‑driven procurement operating system. The platform claims to unify sourcing, approvals, invoicing and payments while delivering real‑time spend visibility before financial exposure hits ERP systems....
From Regulatory Shifts to On-Site Power: The New Economics of Heavy-Duty EV Infrastructure
After the 2024 election and subsequent federal EV regulation rollbacks, heavy‑duty electric vehicle adoption slowed, but California’s CARB enforcement kept fleets on track. Zeem Solutions, led by CEO Paul Gioupis, reports renewed electrification momentum, driven by better vehicle performance such...
Episode 158: Autonomous Robot Deliveries - Ahti Heinla
In Episode 158, host Claire Asher talks with Ahti Heinla, co‑founder and CEO of Starship Technologies, about the company’s fleet of autonomous delivery robots that have completed over 10 million deliveries across Europe and the United States. Heinla explains how the...
US‑China Tensions, EU Emergency Powers and TSMC Drive Semiconductor Supply‑Chain Turmoil
Washington’s push to curb China’s influence over Taiwan’s chipmaker TSMC and Brussels’ draft emergency powers to commandeer chip supplies are converging on a fragile semiconductor supply chain. The moves come as AI demand spikes, prompting investors and governments to reassess...
China’s Industrial Asset Base Hits $28 Trillion, Reinforcing Its Global Manufacturing Clout
China’s industrial asset portfolio topped $28 trillion at the close of April 2026, according to Trend.az. The valuation highlights the sheer size of China’s manufacturing and infrastructure holdings and signals continued influence over global production networks.
Renewed US‑Iran Strikes Push Oil to $92 a Barrel, Threaten Hormuz Supply
Renewed airstrikes between the United States and Iran have effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, sending West Texas Intermediate crude up 4% to $92 a barrel and Brent to $97. Executives at Chevron and the UAE’s ADNOc, along with the...
Conestoga vs Flatbed Shipping for Weather-Sensitive Cargo
Choosing between a flatbed and a Conestoga trailer hinges on whether weather exposure is acceptable. Flatbeds offer maximum loading flexibility at the lowest rate but leave cargo vulnerable to rain, dust and road debris unless manually tarped. Conestoga trailers retain...
Claes Retail Group (JBC) Is Moving Its Logistics Operations to an External Warehouse
Claes Retail Group, owner of JBC and CKS, will outsource its logistics to provider Paxon and centralize operations in a new Beringen distribution center. The move ends use of the Houthalen site, deemed non‑viable, and consolidates all flows under one...
Fives Expands Automation Capabilities with Fives Automatización México
Industrial engineering firm Fives is expanding its footprint in Mexico through the launch of Fives Automatización México. The new subsidiary operates from two facilities in Saltillo and Silao, employing 100 staff across 6,500 m² of workshop space. It will deliver integrated...
Foundries, Sector-Specific OSATs to Boost Domestic Semiconductor Industry: Cyient
India’s semiconductor ecosystem is gaining momentum as Cyient executive PNSV Narasimham calls for dedicated chip foundries and sector‑specific OSATs. The government’s India Semiconductor Mission 1.0 allocated roughly $9.2 billion, while the upcoming ISM 2.0 earmarks about $120 million for equipment, IP and supply‑chain...
IPRO Intermodal TOS: 10 Reasons Terminals Rely on Tideworks
Tideworks Technology’s Intermodal Pro (IPRO) TOS offers a fully configurable platform for rail, yard and gate planning across terminals of any size. It delivers real‑time guided operations, move orchestration, crane optimisation and a digital‑twin view that together reduce congestion and...
Vizhinjam Port Handles 2 Million TEUs in 18 Months, Fastest for Any Indian Port
Vizhinjam International Seaport logged 2 million TEUs within just 18 months, making it the fastest Indian port to hit that volume. The milestone follows a rapid rise from trial operations in July 2024 to 1 million TEUs by August 2025. Over 950 vessels, including 67...
UAE Crude Tanker Leaves Gulf, Heads to India
🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 🔥Tanker en route to India with 1.8 million barrels of UAE crude. Crossed the Strait of Hormuz after being stranded in the Gulf for nearly 3 months. Map form Kpler
DryDel Expands Japanese Newbuild Spree with Trio of Bulkers
Greek dry bulk owner DryDel Shipping has expanded its Japanese newbuilding programme with orders for three additional vessels: an 82,000‑dwt Kamsarmax slated for 2028 delivery and two 64,000‑dwt ultramaxes due in 2029 and 2030. The ships will be built to...
23rd China-ASEAN Expo to Unveil New Business Opportunities
China’s 23rd China‑ASEAN Expo will be held in Nanning from Sept 17‑21, coinciding with the activation of the CAFTA 3.0 upgrade protocol. The event will spotlight digital‑economy and green development zones, an AI‑driven matchmaking platform, and the 134.2‑km Pinglu Canal as a...
CORRECTION: As the Supreme Court Strips Broker Immunity, Mariner Logistics Introduces the Sentinel Protocol for Systematic Carrier and Driver Verification
Mariner Logistics unveiled the Sentinel Protocol, a documented, multi‑source carrier and driver verification standard applied to every shipment. The launch follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s unanimous Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II decision, which strips freight brokers of blanket immunity under...
Packserv Expands Manufacturing Offering with SIAT Distribution Deal in Australia
Packserv announced a distribution agreement with Italian packaging specialist SIAT, making it the exclusive Australian partner for a suite of end‑of‑line equipment such as case erectors, sealers and pallet wrappers. The deal expands Packserv’s portfolio beyond its existing filling, capping...
GKN Aerospace Leak Halts F-35 Cockpit Canopy Production, Threatening U.S. and Israeli Supply Chains
A cooling‑system failure at GKN Aerospace’s Garden Grove, California plant caused a 7,000‑gallon methyl methacrylate tank to overheat, prompting the evacuation of roughly 50,000 residents and suspending the output of F‑35 cockpit canopies destined for U.S. and Israeli forces. The...
Ernst Russ Reports Growing Charter Backlog
Ernst Russ AG posted Q1 2026 revenue of €37.8 million (~$41 million) and EBIT of €13.2 million (~$14 million), while its charter backlog surged to €620.9 million (~$677 million) with an average remaining duration of 34.3 months. The Hamburg shipowner added two 7‑year charter multipurpose vessels and announced...
An Up-Close Look at the Strait of Hormuz From Both Land and Water
PBS NewsHour correspondent Reza Sayah filmed the Strait of Hormuz amid a three‑month standoff between Iran and the United States, where each side has imposed a naval blockade. The United Nations estimates roughly 1,500 commercial vessels and over 20,000 seafarers...
Australia Launches 2.5 GW Solar‑wind Tender with 12.5 GWh Storage
Australia opens tenders for 2.5 GW of solar and wind alongside 12.5 GWh of storage #energysky -- via pv magazine global: https://t.co/v6cOyovO0b
Port of Savannah Frozen Poultry Exports Rise 8.5% Amid Cold Chain Expansion
Georgia Ports Authority reported an 8.5% rise in frozen poultry exports through the Port of Savannah, handling 55,957 TEUs in the 12 months to February—up roughly 4,400 TEUs year‑over‑year. The port captured 37% of all U.S. frozen poultry shipments, reaffirming...
U.S. Targets Iran Shipping Network With New Sanctions
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced a new sanctions round targeting a global network of shipping firms, tanker operators and commercial intermediaries linked to Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical trades. Entities in Hong Kong, the UAE, India, Qatar, Singapore,...
No Commodity Is Safe From the Iran War
The Iran‑Iran war’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz has halted roughly one‑fifth of global LNG and petroleum shipments, exposing the world’s reliance on Gulf by‑products. The disruption has cascaded into shortages of sulfur, helium, nitrogen, aluminum and naphtha, tightening...
UP, NS Revised Merger Application Moves Ahead
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have had their revised merger application accepted by the Surface Transportation Board on April 30, 2026, after the board rejected the original filing for missing information. The STB requires the railroads to submit supplemental details by...
Canada Picks Saab GlobalEye Over Boeing, Shifting Defense Supply Chain
Canada announced it will procure Saab’s GlobalEye airborne early‑warning aircraft, sidelining Boeing’s E‑7 Wedgetail and L3Harris’s Aeris X. The six‑plane deal, built on Bombardier’s Global 6500 platform, underscores Ottawa’s push to diversify away from U.S. defense suppliers and deepen ties...
Inside GE Appliances’ AI Agent Rollout
GE Appliances has deployed hundreds of AI agents on its shop floor, using Google Cloud's Gemini Enterprise platform to surface real‑time anomalies and automate shift‑huddle insights. The agents move from simple assistants to autonomous tools that ingest machine data, flag...
USPS Halts Non-Essential Purchases Amid Cash Crisis
New on @reuters: @USPS suspending non-essential purchases as it takes self-help measures during cash crisis https://t.co/Os6tasMzkX https://t.co/qxxRPUGjvR
Aluminum Market Facing ‘Serious and Prolonged Supply Outage’ – by Andrew Topf (Oil Price.com – May 27, 2026)
The war in Iran and the resulting closure of the Strait of Hormuz have triggered a historic supply outage in the aluminum market, ending two decades of structural oversupply. Shipping bottlenecks are restricting both raw bauxite imports and primary aluminum...
AI in the C-Suite Vs. On Main Street
Supply‑chain executives are overwhelmingly bullish on AI, with 61% saying it will transform the industry and 65% planning new AI investments despite a shaky economy. A rapid‑prototype example showed a dock‑door scheduling algorithm cut from two days to three seconds...
USPS Lands Massive DHL Shipping Deal Worth More Than $10B
The United States Postal Service and DHL eCommerce have sealed an exclusive, long‑term agreement valued at over $10 billion, extending a 25‑year partnership. DHL will handle pickup, sorting and transport across the U.S., while USPS will complete last‑mile delivery to more...
ADG 5/28: Balance Beam
The European Union is drafting emergency powers that could compel chipmakers to override contracts and enable joint purchasing to strengthen its semiconductor supply chain, a move driven by fears of economic coercion amid U.S.-China tensions. In the United States, former...