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
Ocado Intelligent Automation Launches Ocado IQ AI Cloud Suite at MODEX, Promises 3× Picking Boost
Ocado Intelligent Automation introduced Ocado IQ, an AI‑driven cloud suite for retail warehouse automation, at the MODEX trade show. The company says the platform can triple picking productivity and deliver ROI within six months, positioning it as a vertical SaaS solution for the fast‑growing retail logistics market.
Jet Fuel Shortage Looms for Year After Middle East Disruption
Even if the ceasefire holds, we are looking at a months-long shortage of jet fuel on a global basis, most heavily focused on the Southeast and Northeast Asian zone. The Kuwaiti, Iraqi and Saudi [medium-heavy sour] crudes that are favored in...
86% of U.S. CEOs Treat Tariffs as Permanent in B2B Planning, PwC Survey Shows
A PwC survey of 633 U.S. executives reveals that 86% of CEOs now treat tariffs as a permanent factor in B2B planning. The finding underscores a shift from short‑term coping to long‑term integration of import taxes into pricing, supply‑chain and...
Meloni Says It's 'Too Early' To Tap Russian Gas
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said it is too early to consider re‑importing Russian gas, despite soaring energy prices driven by the Iran conflict. She emphasized that economic pressure on Russia remains Europe’s strongest lever for a peace settlement in Ukraine,...
Prime
Prime Inc., a top‑15 carrier with over 7,000 trucks, is spending more than $160 million to build a new regional hub near Griffin, Georgia, about 40 miles south of Atlanta. The 120‑plus‑job campus will host driver‑training centers, maintenance facilities and a...
Albertsons Factors Rising Fuel Costs Into Fulfillment, Delivery
Albertsons said it is building higher fuel costs into its 2026 outlook after crude oil prices jumped from $60 to $112 per barrel amid the U.S.-Israel war on Iran. The retailer expects food‑price inflation to stay around 2% and is...
US Gas Gains Offset by Qatar Losses, Hurting Global Economy
I have to question some people's math. Qatar is down 8 bcm and the US is up 2.6 bcm. The issue here is the difference is not being made up and what is good for the US in the short-term is bad...
MSC’s Terminals Arm Extends Vietnam Portfolio with New Container Port Project
Mediterranean Shipping Company’s Terminal Investment Limited (TiL) secured a majority stake in a consortium to develop the $5 billion Can Gio international container port south of Ho Chi Minh City. The 50‑year concession reflects a broader carrier trend of building terminals in Vietnam...
LogiPharma 2026: How Automation Is Reshaping Pharma Supply Chains
At LogiPharma 2026, Cold Chain Technologies’ chief commercial officer Anthony “TJ” Rizzo emphasized that automation and real‑time monitoring are redefining pharmaceutical cold‑chain logistics. He explained that end‑to‑end visibility can shift companies from reactive, post‑delivery investigations to proactive risk mitigation. Regulators are...
Report: Saudi Arabia Pushes U.S. to Lift Blockade on Iranian Traffic
Saudi officials are urging the White House to lift its newly imposed blockade on Iranian shipping, warning that the restriction could spark a fresh escalation and further curtail oil exports from the Arabian Gulf. Iran’s recent missile and drone strikes...
Trucker Path, Truckstop Expand Freight Access Via Partnership
Trucker Path announced a partnership with freight‑tech platform Truckstop to embed Truckstop's load feed into its TruckLoads mobile app. The integration gives owner‑operators and small fleets direct access to Truckstop’s broader inventory of freight opportunities. Trucker Path says the move...
Gas Prices EXPLODE as Hormuz Is Blocked! EP740
Survival Dispatch released a preview of its evening podcast warning that gasoline prices are set to surge as the Strait of Hormuz faces a new blockade. The U.S. Navy began restricting Iranian ports on April 13, raising concerns over a...
EPG Collaborates with Microsoft on the Supply Chain of the Future
Ehrhardt Partner Group (EPG) has teamed with Microsoft to launch its AI‑native supply‑chain platform, AURA, on the Azure cloud. The partnership adds a SaaS delivery model alongside EPG's private EPX hosting, enabling global scalability and robust security. Integrated interfaces to...
On Today's Episode of FAFO:
The White House staged a DoorDash delivery to President Biden, featuring a self‑identified “DoorDash Grandma” who praised the GOP’s plan to eliminate taxes on tipped wages in 2025. The post also lambasts the U.S. Iran blockade, describing it as a...
US Offer Exceeds JCPOA, Iran Counter May Shorten Deal
Just to be clear: the 20 years of no enrichment the US is reportedly offering #Iran is only about 1/3 longer than the 15 years in the JCPOA that Trump called "the worst deal is history." With Iran reportedly counter-offering 5...
What Is Warehouse Collaboration? How Human-Robot Automation Improves Efficiency, Safety & Scalability
Warehouse collaboration pairs human workers, robots, and AI‑driven systems to meet soaring e‑commerce demand, fluctuating order volumes, and tighter service‑level agreements. The article argues that the next wave of automation must be adaptable, focusing on cooperative designs rather than isolated...
U.S. Will Let Iran Oil Waiver Expire as Blockade Tightens Grip on Global Flows
The Trump administration will let the 30‑day waiver that permitted Iranian oil shipments at sea expire on April 19, tightening the sanctions blockade. The waiver, issued on March 20, had allowed roughly 140 million barrels of Iranian crude to reach global markets, easing...
US Blockade Shift Highlights Iran’s Strait Dominance
Looks like @ethanlevin did not read the USCENTOM notice that the blockade will not be enforced in the Strait of Hormuz, but in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea. There is no reason to intercept close to the ports,...
Accenture Federal Services to Deliver Early Operating Capability for DOE’s Genesis Mission CM2US
Accenture Federal Services is spearheading a high‑velocity engineering sprint to deliver an early operating capability for the Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission CM2US initiative. Working with all DOE national labs and Databricks Federal, the team will launch an AI‑ready digital...
The Robot That Wants to Handle Every Bag in Every Airport
Azalea Robotics unveiled its autonomous baggage‑handling robot, ARC One, on The Road to Autonomy podcast. The mobile system uses suction grippers and computer‑vision to pick, scan and load bags onto carts without cages or fixed infrastructure. Designed to plug into...
Trump’s Iran Stance Ignores Need for Mutual Win
The KEY quote from Trump's interview with the NY Post. Re: #Iran: “I don’t want them [Iran] to feel like they have a win.” Problem with that approach is that for a negotiation to reach a deal, generally both sides need to...
Rail’s Imperative: Building Resilience and Value
Trinity Industries argues that rail’s future depends on network velocity, equipment reliability and capital efficiency rather than fleet size alone. It outlines investments in automated manufacturing, flexible car designs, expanded mobile maintenance and digital telematics to cut cycle times and...
Lower Freight Rates Hit Q1 Revenues for Taiwan’s ‘Big Three’ Carriers
Taiwan’s three major container lines reported lower operating revenues in Q1 2026 as freight rates slipped year‑over‑year. Evergreen Marine, the largest carrier, saw its revenue drop 21% to $2.7 billion, down from $3.5 billion a year earlier. The decline follows the disappearance...
Escalating Bidding Wars For Physical Crude Oil Delivery And Implications For Silver And Gold
A surge in bidding wars for physical crude and LNG has erupted after the Strait of Hormuz blockage cut off 30‑35% of global supply. Traders in the North Sea are paying record premiums, with prompt deliveries now exceeding $150 per...
Trump Reignites Feud With U.K., Calls For Oil Drilling In North Sea
President Donald Trump used Truth Social to denounce the United Kingdom’s energy stance, urging an immediate expansion of North Sea oil drilling as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and global oil supplies tighten. The UK, led by Prime Minister...
“Free Seas” Are Not Unraveling — But the System Is Changing Under Pressure
While the global maritime system remains legally open, recent crises—from the Strait of Hormuz to Red Sea attacks—have tightened slack and raised risk‑based costs. Bruce Kimbrell argues that these disruptions reflect three overlapping forces: crisis, coercion, and market‑driven risk pricing,...
Six Ships Turned Around as Part of Strait of Hormuz Blockade, US Military Says
The U.S. military confirmed that its newly imposed blockade of Iran’s ports forced six merchant vessels to turn back within the first 24 hours. The operation, ordered by President Donald Trump after stalled peace talks, restricts all ships entering or...
The Days Of Sub-$3.00 Gasoline Are Over Amid Lingering Iran Conflict
U.S. gasoline prices are unlikely to return to sub‑$3 per gallon as the Iran‑Israel conflict drags on, disrupting oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. White House Economic Advisor Keven Hasset once predicted a quick rebound, but Energy Secretary...
Sportsman’s Warehouse Hones in on Inventory Timing
Sportsman’s Warehouse trimmed its inventory by $29.1 million, an 8.5% year‑over‑year decline, and plans to keep levels lower throughout 2026. CFO Jennifer Fall Jung said the spring inventory will arrive later to improve turns, while the retailer continues SKU rationalization, especially...
Untitled
NOBLELIFT unveiled NobleOne, the material‑handling industry’s first fully integrated AI forklift platform, at MODEX 2026. The system pairs AI‑driven operator coaching, advanced driver‑assist safety, and direct control of autonomous mobile robots with Gather AI’s MHE Vision camera that records every pallet move...
Yahua Secures Lithium Export Quota From Zimbabwe After Suspension
China’s Yahua Industrial Group secured a six‑month lithium export quota from Zimbabwe, allowing it to resume shipments from its Kamativi mine after a two‑month suspension. The quota is intended to keep production stable while Zimbabwe shifts to a quota‑based system...
Mercedes‑Benz Deploys Private 5G Network to Automate Factory Production Lines
Mercedes‑Benz has begun deploying dedicated mobile private 5G networks in its factories to achieve zero‑latency communication between robots, AGVs and logistics platforms. The move underscores the rapid growth of private‑network solutions for industrial IoT and puts pressure on traditional telcos...
Mothercare FY26 Sales Fall 22% as Adjusted EBITDA Slumps, Shares Dive 15%
Mothercare plc announced a 22% year‑over‑year decline in FY26 global retail sales to £180 million (≈$225 million) and warned of a sharply lower adjusted EBITDA. The earnings miss triggered a roughly 15% slide in the stock on the London Stock Exchange.
Tech Giants Spend $100M on Chip Backup Plans
Pat’s Law of Always strikes again. But let’s treat it as 🚨news. Every large technology company is ALWAYS considering alternatives when it comes to differentiated, high dollar everything. Every model maker is considering: -doing their own chips if they aren’t already -if...
March 2026: Shippers Face Unprecedented Capacity Crunch
FTR: March 2026 was one of (if not) the toughest months ever for shippers. Shippers in the freight world are buyers of capacity, i.e. the trucker's customers. This market is just getting started. https://t.co/9FO8y11ZaT
Canton Fair Expands to 1.55 M Sqm, Showcases Advanced Manufacturing to 210K Global Buyers
The 139th China Import and Export Fair opened in Guangzhou on April 15, covering 1.55 million square meters, 75,700 booths and more than 32,000 enterprises. Over 60% of exhibitors are using AI, 5G and industrial‑internet tools, while 210,000 overseas buyers pre‑registered...
Yttrium Prices Surge 140‑Fold Amid China Restrictions
ICYMI Rare earth yttrium hits new high, up 140-fold in 1 year on China curbs Crazy https://t.co/IlKp0JP6Ny via @NikkeiAsia
Hormuz Disruption Slashes Global Oil Flow, Tanker Trade Falters
Global Oil Flows Plunge as Hormuz Disruption Chokes Tanker Trade. A narrow take of what is happening. https://t.co/mROsy4L0Hr
US Blockade Takes Effect, First Ships Turned Back
U.S. Declares Blockade Effective as First Ships Turned Back from Iranian Ports. When will the Strait be open with ships and cargo flowing securely both ways? https://t.co/D3uHFpWCMS
Ford Warns Chinese Car Entry Will Devastate U.S. Manufacturing
Ford’s top executive says allowing Chinese automakers to sell their cars in the US would be “devastating” to American manufacturing Bigger question: Why is that the case, now? https://t.co/0BoCuZ9nvf
Free Seas Persist; Maritime System Reshapes Under Pressure
“Free Seas” Are Not Unraveling — But the System Is Changing Under Pressure. Security. Cost. Reliability. Transit and transit time. Each event is not recognized as part of a global maritime & supply chain change. Instead silly terms like resilience....
Chinese Warship Deters US Blockade, Tankers Sail Freely
American blockade of Hormuz isn’t stopping Chinese tankers. “The presence of a Chinese warship proved sufficiently deterrent.”
China’s Export Controls Surge, Sparking Global Rationality Debate
China flexes trade power with soaring use of export controls Eskelund: “We really need people to step back, take a rational perspective on this and ask themselves whether this is really in the best interest of everyone." Meanwhile, former USG officials...
Amazon Named Defendant in Mother’s Day Crash Lawsuit
Amazon sued over last year’s deadly Mother’s Day crash in Chattanooga “It names Valparaiso Trucking Corp., driver Joseph Antoinier and three Amazon companies as defendants: Amazon, Inc., Amazon Services LLC and Amazon Logistics”
US Ends Iran Oil Waiver, Escalates Blockade, Threatens Peace Talks
U.S. Will Let Iran Oil Waiver Expire as Blockade Tightens Grip on Global Flows. What will this do to peace negotiations? https://t.co/RyO97zrsi0
Iran's Potential Oil Rail Exports Lack Analysis
Is Iran exporting oil via rail? Haven’t seen any analysis of this trade lane. https://t.co/QufT0kilKW
Proactive Planning Safeguards MedTech Performance and Margins
Medtech has no margin for error. Lisa’s MPO article: From Reactive to Proactive—planning strategies to protect customer performance + margins. #MedTech #SupplyChain #Planning https://t.co/gQf2Q4uUXD
Avoid All‑In SAP; Blend Third‑Party Solutions
When upgrading to S/4HANA, be wary of going 'all-in' with SAP's entire tech stack. Spargroup learned that SAP's native warehouse management system wasn't ideal for their food distribution needs. Don't be afraid to integrate third-party solutions. #SAP #S4HANA #TechStrategy https://t.co/0zO5jFxduM
GAO Warned in 2012: FMCSA Can't Probe Most Carriers
The Government Accountability Office warned about Chameleon Carriers all the way back in 2012 At that time they noted the FMCSA’s lack of ability to investigate these carriers. And they outline how only certain carriers are even looked into https://t.co/Cdhqf0rkwc
Kimbrell and Allies Drive DC Shipbuilding Revival via SHIPs Act
Excellent article by CDR Kimbrell who - along with Capt @brentdsadler and a few others - was a leading architect of the SHIPs Act and the recent shipbuilding and maritime revival in DC