Today's Supply Chain Pulse
Logistics volatility declared permanent in 2026 State of Logistics Report
The report finds supply‑chain volatility now a permanent condition, with U.S. logistics costs falling to $2.4 trillion, or 7.8% of GDP, down from $2.6 trillion in 2025. Five structural forces—uneven global growth, tighter financial conditions, geoeconomic realignment, labor constraints, and energy price swings—drive the new normal, while AI and automation reshape operations.
Also developing:
By the numbers: US IDFC partners with Chubb on $20B maritime reinsurance plan
CER: Railways Can Reduce Europe’s Energy Dependence
The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) released an analysis linking rail expansion to Europe’s push for energy independence. It quantifies current savings—144,000 barrels of oil per day for freight and 220,000 barrels for passengers—along with €4.5 bn ($5 bn) and €6.9 bn ($7.6 bn) annual economic benefits. CER urges the post‑2027 EU multi‑annual financial framework to fund high‑speed rail, projecting a 49,000‑km network could avoid 11.6 bn barrels of oil (≈$825 bn) and over 5 bn t CO₂ by 2070. The argument frames rail as a strategic asset for energy security, not just climate policy.
Iran Can Hold Hormuz Longer; US Strikes Won’t Spark Crisis
Seven weeks later, many taboos broken: 1) Iran can’t block the Strait of Hormuz. Yes, it can, and for far longer than the oil market thought it would be possible. 2) If the US attacks, an energy crisis follows. Sure, gasoline...
Maharlika Eyes Oil Storage Venture with PNOC to Boost Energy Resilience
Maharlika Investment Corp (MIC) is exploring a partnership with the state‑owned Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) and private firms to build an oil‑storage tank farm that would expand the Philippines’ strategic stockpiling capacity. The sovereign wealth fund could commit up...
Trains Return to Flood-Hit Czech Rail Line After 18 Months
Czech Railways will restart service on the Lipová Lázně–Javorník line (Line 295) on 16 April 2026, ending an 18‑month suspension caused by severe September 2024 flooding. Infrastructure manager Správa železnic completed all repairs, allowing the first scheduled trains to run at 04:13 and 05:10....
Boeing Deliveries Soar Past Airbus for the First Time in Years, but This Is No Time to Unbuckle Your Seat...
Boeing shipped 143 commercial aircraft in the first quarter of 2026, outpacing Airbus's 114 deliveries for the first time in seven years. The surge was driven mainly by 737 production, while Boeing warned of a forthcoming slowdown due to wiring...
WA Establishes 2 Hour Strategic Diesel Reserve
Western Australia announced a strategic diesel reserve, signing a deal with Cambridge Gulf Ltd. to purchase and store 4 million liters of diesel, enough for roughly two hours of the state’s daily consumption of 25 million liters. The initial stock is slated to arrive...
War in Iran Dampens NZ Manufacturing Optimism Despite Continued Growth
New Zealand’s manufacturing PMI slipped to 53.2 in March, down from 54.8 in February but still above the 50‑point expansion threshold. The decline coincided with a sharp rise in negative sentiment, as 62% of firms cited the war in Iran...
ANDRITZ Wins Equipment Order for India’s Largest 3,000 MW Pumped Storage Project in Maharashtra
Technology firm ANDRITZ announced it has won a contract to supply ten pump turbines, motor‑generators and related electromechanical equipment for Torrent Power’s Saidongar‑1 Karjat pumped‑storage project in Maharashtra. The deal, valued at roughly €200 million (about $215 million), will be fulfilled in...
CNBC's UK Exchange Newsletter: Britain's Jet Fuel Crunch — and How We Got Here
Britain’s jet‑fuel supply chain is under strain as refinery capacity has slumped 41% since 2000, leaving only four plants to cover about 85% of refined‑product needs. The country now imports 3.1 times more kerosene than it produces, with roughly 60%...
AI-Driven Chip Shortage Slowing Efforts to Get World Online: GSMA
GSMA warns that the AI‑driven memory chip shortage is inflating smartphone prices and curbing production of low‑end devices, slowing efforts to connect the 2.2 billion unconnected people worldwide. Chipmakers are prioritising high‑bandwidth chips for AI data centres, leaving fewer affordable chips...
FARO CREAFORM Cuts Laser Line Probe Time to Data on Challenging Surfaces
FARO CREAFORM has released a software update for its Laser Line Probe (LLP) portfolio used with the Quantum X and Quantum Max FaroArm series. The new DTEX‑based image‑processing algorithms improve scan consistency and slash time‑to‑data by up to 60 % on dark, reflective...
China Told Maersk and MSC to Drop Panama Port Operations
China’s Ministry of Transport has instructed A.P. Moller‑Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Company to cease all operations at Panama’s Balboa port, part of a broader push to tighten control over maritime logistics. The directive, framed as a national security measure, forces...
Responsive Fueling Vital to Landmark Excavating
Landmark Excavating, a Utah‑based heavy civil contractor, faces complex fueling logistics across multiple job sites in Utah and southern Nevada. To curb downtime, the firm purchased two Thunder Creek 920‑gallon multi‑tank trailers that carry diesel and DEF on‑site, eliminating the...
New SONAR Sitreps Deliver Real‑Time Freight Impact Insights
This Thursday, we are introducing a brand new feature for SONAR subscribers. SONAR Sitreps are editorial and data-driven research deep dives into freight-related topics. The research includes a white paper, a PowerPoint presentation covering the topic, and an interactive screen...
Canada’s Helium Shortage Threatens Hospitals and Tech
Helium Is More Than Balloons. It’s A Crisis Canada Can't Ignore "Unlike oil or gas, there is no substitute for helium. You can’t switch fuels or scale alternatives. When helium is in short supply, critical systems slow down or stop. Hospitals...
Why Did China Buy Up the World’s Ports?
China’s state‑run agencies and SOEs have financed 363 port projects worth roughly $24 billion across 168 ports in 90 countries since 2000, creating a global maritime network that blends commercial returns with strategic leverage. The AidData report shows that about 35%...
The China Shock 2.0
China’s economy generated a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus last year, intensifying fears that its flood of imports could swamp industries worldwide. European policymakers are drafting rules that would require Chinese firms opening factories in the EU to transfer technology and...
For Iran, Hormuz Is More a Weakness Than a Weapon
The United States launched a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz six weeks into its conflict with Iran, aiming to choke a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. While analysts have long viewed Tehran’s control of Hormuz as a...
Aatmanirbhar 2.0: India Building Inner Strength to Get over Supply Chain Pain
India has unveiled Aatmanirbhar 2.0, a refreshed self‑reliance drive aimed at insulating critical supply chains and bolstering energy security amid the West Asia conflict. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered ministries to draft short‑ and long‑term sector plans that cut import dependence...
Hazer and KBR Complete Commercial-Scale Hydrogen Design Package for Global Rollout
Hazer Group and engineering firm KBR have finished a commercial‑scale Process Design Package (PDP) for the Hazer methane‑pyrolysis hydrogen technology. The PDP outlines a standardised 30,000‑tonne‑per‑year hydrogen plant design, intended to streamline feasibility studies, basic engineering and front‑end engineering work....
Manufacturing Project to Advance 3D-Printed Naval Components, CDU Says
Charles Darwin University (CDU) is leading a Queensland Defence Sciences Alliance‑funded project to use SPEE3D’s cold‑spray additive manufacturing to 3D‑print nickel aluminium bronze (NAB) naval propulsion components. The initiative brings together James Cook University, the Australian Institute of Marine Science...
Analysts Lack Field Experience, Misjudge Oil Supply Solutions
Most oil analysts are amateurs with zero oil & gas operational experience That's why they think fixing Hormuz will solve the supply crisis. Have them watch a flow test on a well that's been shut in for a few weeks Or take...
Green Packaging Finally Takes Off as Iran War Causes Plastic Prices Rises
South Korean packaging firm Yonwoo reports a three‑fold surge in inquiries for its paper tubes and pouches as the Iran war drives plastic feedstock prices to four‑year highs. The conflict has choked oil‑based raw materials, forcing Asian manufacturers to seek...
China's Oil Reserves Outpace U.S., Reducing Shock Risk
China is better prepared for an oil system shock that any major power They've been planning and preparing for decades China is not immune The US is more vulnerable than China because our oil is light beer OK for a buzz but not the...
Baskit Raises US$4.4M to Take Indonesia’s Offline Distribution Playbook Regional
Indonesian supply‑chain startup Baskit closed a $4.4 million Series A round, complemented by a $3 million revolving credit facility from HSBC Innovation Banking, bringing total funding to $9.9 million. The AI‑enabled platform integrates software, logistics, payments and embedded credit to help consumer brands reach...
Spending Soars, Supplies Dwindle in LA Schools
Bizarre situation brewing in LA public schools, as reported by WSJ today Teachers and parents say schools regularly run out of cleaning supplies and toilet paper But per-student spending rose from $11.7k to $29.3k since 2014 — about 5x the rate of...
Hormuz Traffic Remains Steady Despite US Blockade
Strait of Hormuz traffic barely affected on first day of US blockade, data shows https://t.co/isyBzFbeAW
Middle East Airspace Restrictions Prompt Global Cargo Reroute and Multimodal Shift
Air carriers are bypassing the Middle East with longer northern and southern routes, inflating flight times, fuel burn and crew costs. The disruption is tightening freight rates and spurring shippers to blend air, rail and road, while dry‑port hubs gain...
Helium Startups Face Five Key Challenges Amid Middle East Crisis
Top 5 issues for helium startups in Middle East crisis ⚾️Reduced production capacity ⚾️Increased costs ⚾️Strategic adjustments ⚾️Partnerships and logistics ⚾️Leverage government support
China Dominates Global Green Tech Landscape
The Financial Times reports that China has a ROYAL FLUSH. Chinese now leads in EVs, solar panels, batteries, wind turbines, and more. CHINA HAS CARDS AND KNOWS HOW TO PLAY THEM. https://t.co/XCaFDiD4ka
Weld Australia, ASSDA Sign Manufacturing-Focused MoU to Boost Industry Collaboration
Weld Australia and the Australian Stainless Steel Development Association (ASSDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen collaboration across the manufacturing sector. The MoU creates a reciprocal membership arrangement, giving members expanded access to events, technical resources, training and...
US Treasury: China Blocked From Iranian Oil
And in response:: US treasury secretary says China will not be able to get oil from Iran ⏳🇨🇳🛢️ $USDCNH
Sinopec to Source Russian Oil Directly After US Waiver
Translation: With President Trump Waver, SINOPEC can but the Russian oil "DIRECTLY" without STS or intermediaries. Sinopec buys Russian oil to replace Mideast supply after US waiver, sources say
Tesla Taps Shanghai Gigafactory as ‘Golden Key’ for Mass‑Production of Humanoid Robots
Tesla’s China president Allan Wang Hao announced that the Shanghai Gigafactory will serve as a “golden key” for scaling up production of humanoid robots. The move leverages the plant’s high‑volume capacity and could accelerate Tesla’s entry into the commercial robotics...
US Blames
Of course US treasury says China can't get oil from Iran. It's part of Trump's fake-reality propaganda machine The US is late to the party because it's been ENERGY BLIND A blockade of Iran's oil should have happened on Trump's Day 1 January...
Iran Reverts to State-Controlled Oil Export Model
⚾️I have no idea about the implications... but one thing is clear, they know things that we don't. ⚾️Please share your thought if you are familiar with these issues. 🛟Iran ends intermediary oil sales, returns to state-controlled export model...
For FDI, E-Comm Exports Must Be in Separate Cart
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has rolled out reforms to streamline e‑commerce exports, including lifting the Rs 10 lakh (≈ $12,000) value cap per courier shipment. The government is evaluating allowing foreign direct investment in inventory‑based e‑commerce solely for overseas...
24/7 Zipline‑
We need 24/7 zipline style drone shipping cross US yesterday especially for medical sample shipping.
MODEX 2026: Software Integrations, Vision Systems, Cobots and More From Day Two in Atlanta
Day two of MODEX 2026 in Atlanta showcased a surge of supply‑chain innovations, with over 1,000 exhibitors displaying new software integrations, vision‑guided robotics and collaborative cobots. Attendees explored live demos and attended seminars that highlighted how these technologies streamline warehouse operations...
Much Chatter that Iran Talks to Resume as Ceasefire Extension Discussed
U.S. enforcement of its blockade on Iranian ports showed full compliance in the first 24 hours, with no vessels breaching the restrictions. At the same time, more than 20 oil tankers have recently transited the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a...
Space Force Urges Industry to Invest in Satellite Production Capacity
The U.S. Space Force is seeking a dramatic expansion of its satellite‑production capability as it prepares a $71 billion FY 2027 budget request, a 77 percent increase over the prior year. The procurement portion swells to $19 billion, up from $3.6 billion in FY 2026, and...
SBMA to Reduce Tariff, Cargo Charges by 5% Amid Middle East Conflict
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority announced a temporary 5% cut to tariffs, cargo charges and related fees at the Port of Subic, alongside extended free‑storage periods, to offset cost pressures from the Middle East conflict. The relief package also waives...
Smart Catering: Reducing Cabin Food Waste with AI
Airbus and Virgin Atlantic have piloted an AI‑driven “Smart Catering” system to track in‑flight meal consumption and inventory. The technology uses camera‑based scanning on crew tablets to automatically log unused food and beverages, sending data to a ground cloud for...
China's Subsidized Industries Fuel Overcapacity Without Market Discipline
China does not have a normal free market and a lot of their industry is subsidized by the government and banks - which lends itself to overcapacity since normal market inputs are not there to drive decisions.
Experts Offer Strategies to Overcome US Energy Storage Bottlenecks
Experts weigh in on navigating supply chain bottlenecks in US energy storage #energysky -- via Energy Storage News: https://t.co/nWdxoTZoHR
GLP J‑REIT Posts 1% Earnings Decline in H1 2026 Amid Logistics Market Strain
GLP J‑REIT announced that net income fell to ¥14.896 bn ($96 m) in the first half of 2026, a slight dip from ¥15.045 bn a year earlier, as revenue slipped to ¥28.821 bn ($186 m). The Japanese REIT warned that H2 earnings are expected to...
GMS Adds Colorado Footprint with Frontier Drywall Supply Purchase
GMS Inc., a subsidiary of Home Depot‑owned SRS Distribution, bought the assets of Frontier Drywall Supply, adding three locations in Denver, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs. The deal, undisclosed financially, expands GMS’s Northwest Division and underscores a private‑equity‑style roll‑up of...
Turkey Launches Nationwide 5G Network, Mandates 60% Local Equipment
Turkey’s three major mobile operators—Turkcell, Vodafone Turkey and Türk Telekom—went live with commercial 5G service across all 81 provincial centres after a $2.95 bn spectrum auction. The rollout is tied to a government‑mandated 60% local‑content rule, aiming to boost domestic telecom...
Ivanhoe Mines Posts 71,417 Tonnes of Copper Anodes in Q1 2026, Signaling Ramp‑up at Kamoa‑Kakula
Ivanhoe Mines announced that its Kamoa‑Kakula mine produced 71,417 tonnes of copper in blister and anode form in the first quarter of 2026, including 63,671 tonnes from its on‑site smelter. The result supports the company's guidance to exceed 500,000 tonnes...
Botanic Healthcare Appoints Kamalakar V. Arcot as Group CEO to Drive Global Expansion
Botanic Healthcare announced the appointment of Kamalakar V. Arcot as Group Chief Executive Officer. The veteran executive brings more than 20 years of pharma and life‑science experience to steer the company’s global‑first strategy, strengthen supply‑chain execution and accelerate market expansion.