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Today's Supply Chain Pulse

Pharma giants pledge up to $70B to boost U.S. manufacturing amid tariff threat

Facing a possible 100% tariff on branded drugs, major pharmaceutical companies are accelerating U.S. manufacturing and R&D investments. Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson and Roche announced commitments ranging from $3.5 billion to $70 billion, securing temporary tariff exemptions or price concessions.

Perspective: How True AI Changes the Cost of TMS Training
NewsApr 13, 2026

Perspective: How True AI Changes the Cost of TMS Training

The trucking and logistics sector has long wrestled with costly, weeks‑long training for transportation management systems (TMS). While many vendors tout "AI," most solutions are merely automated workflows that still demand extensive user instruction. True generative AI, exemplified by large...

By Transport Topics – Technology
ORR: UK Rail Productivity Remains Below Pre-Pandemic Levels
NewsApr 13, 2026

ORR: UK Rail Productivity Remains Below Pre-Pandemic Levels

The Office of Rail and Road’s latest report shows UK rail productivity rose 3% in 2024‑25, yet total costs remain 21% above 2014‑15 levels. Passenger operators improved 2% but face a 40% cost increase, with rolling‑stock leasing and maintenance costing...

By Railway Pro
Kuka Outlines ‘Automation 2.0’ Strategy, Combining AI Software with Industrial Robotics
NewsApr 13, 2026

Kuka Outlines ‘Automation 2.0’ Strategy, Combining AI Software with Industrial Robotics

Kuka unveiled an "Automation 2.0" roadmap that blends artificial intelligence with its industrial robots, positioning the firm at the forefront of the emerging "physical AI" wave. The centerpiece is Kuka AMP, a software‑defined platform that layers AI‑driven decision‑making over existing hardware....

By Robotics & Automation News
How to Confidently Forecast Costs in Food and Beverage Procurement
NewsApr 13, 2026

How to Confidently Forecast Costs in Food and Beverage Procurement

Fastmarkets released a free Forecasting with Confidence Playbook that showcases how independent market intelligence can help food‑and‑beverage (F&B) procurement teams anticipate packaging and ingredient price swings. The piece highlights that global volatility—driven by geopolitical conflict and energy shocks—often leads suppliers...

By Fastmarkets – Insights
Strait of Hormuz Reopens for Now, but Global Supply Chains Remain at Risk
BlogApr 13, 2026

Strait of Hormuz Reopens for Now, but Global Supply Chains Remain at Risk

President Donald Trump announced a two‑week suspension of his threatened bombing of Iran, tying the pause to the safe repassage of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow waterway moves roughly 20% of the world’s oil and gas, a...

By Resilience.org (Post Carbon Institute)
From Indaba to the Budget: Will Fiscal Policy Unlock Mining-Led Growth?
NewsApr 13, 2026

From Indaba to the Budget: Will Fiscal Policy Unlock Mining-Led Growth?

South Africa’s mining sector, responsible for roughly 6% of GDP and about R440 billion ($23 billion) in annual output, is hampered by chronic freight bottlenecks. At the February Mining Indaba, industry leaders called for policy certainty and reliable logistics, prompting Finance Minister...

By African Business
Trump Threatens His Own Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz
BlogApr 13, 2026

Trump Threatens His Own Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States will impose a naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, interdicting any vessel that passes after Iran’s toll demand. The move follows a failed diplomatic effort to fully reopen...

By Heatmap
Managing Commercial Drone Fleets Across Multiple Locations: Why Inventory Tracking Matters
NewsApr 13, 2026

Managing Commercial Drone Fleets Across Multiple Locations: Why Inventory Tracking Matters

Scaling commercial drone operations across multiple sites introduces logistical friction that basic spreadsheets cannot resolve. Centralized inventory tracking systems consolidate aircraft, batteries, pilots, and maintenance records into a single, real‑time view, enabling rapid deployment decisions. The unified platform also automates...

By Commercial UAV News (if feed accessible)
Jazeera Airways Adds Air-Land Cargo Operation to Navigate Airspace Closures
NewsApr 13, 2026

Jazeera Airways Adds Air-Land Cargo Operation to Navigate Airspace Closures

Kuwait‑based low‑cost carrier Jazeera Airways has launched an air‑land cargo service from Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International Airport in Dammam and Qaisumah‑Hafar Al‑Batin to bypass the closure of Kuwait International Airport amid the US‑Iran conflict. The cargo is processed by...

By Air Cargo News
Taiwan Launches National Robotics Center with $629 Million Startup Funding Plan
NewsApr 13, 2026

Taiwan Launches National Robotics Center with $629 Million Startup Funding Plan

Taiwan has inaugurated the National Center for AI Robotics (NCAIR) and unveiled a NT$20 billion ($629 million) funding program slated for 2026‑2029. The initiative targets the creation of at least three home‑grown robotics startups and aims to accelerate testing, talent development, and...

By Robotics & Automation News
The SB Podcast: Why Distribution Needs a Shake-Up
NewsApr 13, 2026

The SB Podcast: Why Distribution Needs a Shake-Up

Eoin Bara, founder of Tipple, argues that spirits brands must generate demand before chasing distribution. After burning out selling his own Mór Irish Gin, he created Tipple, a digital platform that lets brands sell directly to consumers and businesses while...

By The Spirits Business
TemperPack Launches New Mailer to Replace Boxes for E-Commerce Shippers
NewsApr 13, 2026

TemperPack Launches New Mailer to Replace Boxes for E-Commerce Shippers

TemperPack unveiled a recyclable padded mailer that replaces traditional cardboard boxes for e‑commerce shipments. The mailer uses proprietary WaveKraft® paper‑based material, delivering 50‑80% better cushioning than plastic or standard padded mailers. Its gusseted design opens wide, speeds packing, and meets...

By Business Wire — Executive Appointments
Extreme Fear Fades as Markets Weather Hormuz Tension
SocialApr 13, 2026

Extreme Fear Fades as Markets Weather Hormuz Tension

Trump ordered a full naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz overnight. Oil surged 8% above $100. The UK refused to participate. France is forming its own mission to reopen the strait. And Bitcoin dropped... 1%. After 12 straight days...

By dailyanalysts
Key Criteria for Legal Blockades: Newport Manual Highlights
SocialApr 13, 2026

Key Criteria for Legal Blockades: Newport Manual Highlights

As we get ready to talk BLOCKADES this morning, everyone needs to dust off their copy of the Newport Manual on the Law of Naval Warfare. Specifically, Chapter 7.4. 1️⃣Notification 2️⃣Effectiveness 3️⃣Impartiability 4️⃣Humanitarian Requirements 5️⃣Access to Neutral Coast https://t.co/Bsx5bUr8JY

By Sal Mercogliano
Guidance: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Market Orders and Calculator
NewsApr 13, 2026

Guidance: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Market Orders and Calculator

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has refreshed its domestic bulk LPG market orders and the accompanying tank‑transfer price calculator, the latest update issued on 13 April 2026. The orders limit exclusivity periods to two years, require a 42‑day notice to...

By UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
90% of 2025 Tariffs Shift to U.S. Importers
SocialApr 13, 2026

90% of 2025 Tariffs Shift to U.S. Importers

New @nberpubs: "Tariffs in 2025: Short-Run Impacts on the U.S. Economy" https://t.co/Du7yk49H5l "90% of the tariffs are passed through to tariff-inclusive prices paid by U.S. importers" https://t.co/kMhPTPkojL

By Scott Lincicome
AI Product Imports Surge 73% as Tariffs Stay Low
SocialApr 13, 2026

AI Product Imports Surge 73% as Tariffs Stay Low

New @nberpubs: "Trade in AI-Related Products" https://t.co/HKvnAGrO6D "imports of these products have grown by 73 percent since 2023... Trade policy has treated these products lightly with product-level exemptions shielding much of AI-related imports from tariffs." https://t.co/HNy3aXAeMU

By Scott Lincicome
Stolen Freight Is Still Moving Through Clean Systems
NewsApr 13, 2026

Stolen Freight Is Still Moving Through Clean Systems

A $1 million LEGO shipment was recovered in California only after a suspicious‑activity tip, not through any automated verification. The incident mirrors a broader trend where cargo theft slips through normal freight workflows, as seen in Texas with $470,000 of stolen...

By FreightWaves
Iran Conflict Triggers Oil Shortage, Reshapes Market Winners
SocialApr 13, 2026

Iran Conflict Triggers Oil Shortage, Reshapes Market Winners

The Iran war has slashed oil exports from the Persian Gulf, creating a global supply shortage that's just starting to hit markets. As prices are driven up and broader economic impacts unfold, winners and losers will begin to emerge. Full Newsletter:...

By Peter Zeihan
EU Businesses Warn China’s New Supply Chain Law Puts Firms on Collision Course with Bloc’s Rules
NewsApr 13, 2026

EU Businesses Warn China’s New Supply Chain Law Puts Firms on Collision Course with Bloc’s Rules

A EU business lobby, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, has condemned China’s new Regulation 834, which took effect last week. The law gives Chinese authorities sweeping powers to investigate and punish companies or individuals deemed to threaten industrial...

By EUobserver (EU)
Iran's 13-Day Oil Shutdown Signals Permanent Damage
SocialApr 13, 2026

Iran's 13-Day Oil Shutdown Signals Permanent Damage

The sharpest Iran economic analysis out there right now comes from @miadmaleki, Iranian-born former US Treasury official. 13 days. That's when Iran shuts off its own oil wells. Hormuz blockade = nowhere to store oil. Can't restart them easily. Permanent damage. Not a...

By Boris Schlossberg
US‑Iran Talks Collapse; Blockade Threatens Trump‑Xi Summit
SocialApr 13, 2026

US‑Iran Talks Collapse; Blockade Threatens Trump‑Xi Summit

US-Iran negotiations failed over the weekend. The risk-off moves today though have mostly been mild. US blockade of Iranian ports could disrupt next month's Trump-Xi meeting. Bab-el-Mandeb Strait may also be brought into play. See https://t.co/13UStEpBOS https://t.co/1u6Xn5BKh9

By Marc Chandler
France, UK to Lead Multinational Mission to Restore Navigation in Strait of Hormuz: Macron
NewsApr 13, 2026

France, UK to Lead Multinational Mission to Restore Navigation in Strait of Hormuz: Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France and the United Kingdom will co‑lead a multinational, strictly defensive mission to restore free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative will convene a conference in the coming days with nations ready...

By The Hindu BusinessLine – Economy
New Details Emerge on New Medium Helicopter Deal
BlogApr 13, 2026

New Details Emerge on New Medium Helicopter Deal

The UK Ministry of Defence has finalized a £989 million (≈$1.26 billion) contract with Leonardo UK for 23 new medium‑lift helicopters under the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme. The deal, signed on 23 March 2026, covers not only the aircraft but also design integration,...

By UK Defence Journal – Air
Asian LNG Imports Plummet to Six-Year Low on Middle East Crisis
NewsApr 13, 2026

Asian LNG Imports Plummet to Six-Year Low on Middle East Crisis

Asian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports have slumped to the lowest level since June 2020, with the 30‑day moving average falling below 600,000 tons. The decline follows the escalation of the Middle East conflict, which has cut roughly 20% of global LNG...

By gCaptain
Pakistan Launches Iran Transit Corridor with First Shipment to Central Asia
NewsApr 13, 2026

Pakistan Launches Iran Transit Corridor with First Shipment to Central Asia

Pakistan has inaugurated an overland trade corridor through Iran, dispatching its first export—a refrigerated truckload of frozen meat—from Karachi to Tashkent. The road link offers a shorter, faster alternative to traditional maritime routes, promising lower freight costs and reduced handling...

By bne IntelliNews
E-Commerce Surge Reshapes Air Cargo Demand as Parcel Volumes Soar
NewsApr 13, 2026

E-Commerce Surge Reshapes Air Cargo Demand as Parcel Volumes Soar

J&T Express processed 8.3 billion parcels in the first quarter of 2026, a 26.2% year‑on‑year increase, with Southeast Asian volumes surging almost 80%. The surge reflects broader global e‑commerce growth that is reshaping air‑cargo demand, especially on Asia‑Pacific and trans‑Pacific routes....

By Air Cargo Week
Investigation Exposes ‘Chameleon Carrier’ Trucking Schemes Threatening U.S. Road Safety
NewsApr 13, 2026

Investigation Exposes ‘Chameleon Carrier’ Trucking Schemes Threatening U.S. Road Safety

An eight‑month CBS News investigation uncovered a network of “chameleon carriers” that repeatedly shed identities to dodge safety violations. Analysts estimate 10‑20% of the 700,000 U.S. trucking companies operate under this model, contributing to thousands of infractions and more than...

By Pulse
Prologis and Singapore’s GIC Commit $1.6 Billion to Build New U.S. Logistics Centers
NewsApr 13, 2026

Prologis and Singapore’s GIC Commit $1.6 Billion to Build New U.S. Logistics Centers

Prologis and Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC have formed a $1.6 billion joint venture to develop new logistics centers in the United States. The partnership aims to expand the supply of high‑quality industrial space amid surging e‑commerce demand, positioning both firms...

By Pulse
Oil Tankers Steer Clear of Hormuz Ahead of US Blockade
NewsApr 13, 2026

Oil Tankers Steer Clear of Hormuz Ahead of US Blockade

Two Iranian‑linked tankers left the Gulf on Monday, each carrying roughly 330,000 barrels of oil, as the United States announced a blockade of Iranian ports. President Trump said the Navy would enforce the blockade on vessels entering or exiting Iranian...

By gCaptain
EU Customs Code Draft Sparks Timely ICC Belgium Event
SocialApr 13, 2026

EU Customs Code Draft Sparks Timely ICC Belgium Event

Tomorrow @ICCBelgium is hosting "The Future of EU Customs" event in Brussels. Very timely discussion as we now have the first draft of the final text of the new Customs Code and the first changes will be introduced in less...

By Dr. Anna Jerzewska
Indonesia Nickel Tailings Landslide Exposes Waste‑Management Gaps, Threatens Global Battery Supply
NewsApr 13, 2026

Indonesia Nickel Tailings Landslide Exposes Waste‑Management Gaps, Threatens Global Battery Supply

A February 2026 landslide at PT QMB’s filtered‑tailings facility in Morowali killed an excavator operator and revealed serious design flaws. Experts warn the incident could curtail Indonesia’s nickel output—now 59.5% of global supply—raising alarms for battery manufacturers worldwide.

By Pulse
86% of U.S. CEOs Treat Tariffs as Permanent Planning Assumption, PwC Survey Shows
NewsApr 13, 2026

86% of U.S. CEOs Treat Tariffs as Permanent Planning Assumption, PwC Survey Shows

A PwC survey of 633 U.S. executives finds 86% consider tariffs a permanent planning assumption, signaling a major shift in corporate risk management. Executives say they are better positioned than two years ago, but the outlook forces new budgeting and...

By Pulse
China Mandates Export Licenses for Gallium and Germanium, Sparking U.S. Supply‑Chain Alarm
NewsApr 13, 2026

China Mandates Export Licenses for Gallium and Germanium, Sparking U.S. Supply‑Chain Alarm

China has required export licences for gallium and germanium, two rare‑earth metals vital to U.S. semiconductors and optics. The policy, introduced in 2025 and expanded in 2026, triggered price spikes and a swift strategic response from Washington and Brussels, highlighting...

By Pulse
U.S. Customs Releases Seized China‑Built MBTA Subway Cars After Political Push, Saving 150 Jobs
NewsApr 13, 2026

U.S. Customs Releases Seized China‑Built MBTA Subway Cars After Political Push, Saving 150 Jobs

U.S. Customs seized China‑manufactured MBTA subway car shells, threatening 150 Springfield workers with furloughs. Within two days of Rep. Neil Neal’s appeal to lobbyist Susie Wiles, the cars were cleared for final assembly, underscoring the geopolitical and regulatory risks in...

By Pulse
South Korea's Semiconductor Exports Surge 152% YoY, Driving 36.7% Export Growth
NewsApr 13, 2026

South Korea's Semiconductor Exports Surge 152% YoY, Driving 36.7% Export Growth

South Korea's total exports climbed 36.7% year‑over‑year in the first ten days of April, propelled by a 152% surge in semiconductor shipments to $8.6 billion. The jump set a new record for the country’s early‑month export performance and highlighted the accelerating...

By Pulse
India’s Manufacturing Giants Are Embracing Agentic AI to Enhance Efficiencies
NewsApr 13, 2026

India’s Manufacturing Giants Are Embracing Agentic AI to Enhance Efficiencies

India’s manufacturing leaders are shifting from traditional automation to an Agentic Enterprise model where AI acts as a strategic teammate, handling decisions such as ordering and supply‑path selection. Executives like Uflex’s CIO emphasize that AI proficiency will become a core...

By Mint AI
Iran War Fuels $22.3 Bn Surge in Chinese Clean‑tech Exports, Boosting BYD and CATL
NewsApr 13, 2026

Iran War Fuels $22.3 Bn Surge in Chinese Clean‑tech Exports, Boosting BYD and CATL

China’s clean‑technology exports hit a record $22.3 bn in December, up 47% year‑on‑year, as the Iran war disrupts fossil‑fuel supplies. BYD and CATL shares rose 11% and 24% in March, positioning China as the dominant supplier of batteries, solar panels and...

By Pulse
Listen to the RF Podcast #10 – ‘Rail Players Need New Ways of Communicating’
NewsApr 13, 2026

Listen to the RF Podcast #10 – ‘Rail Players Need New Ways of Communicating’

RailFreight’s tenth RF Podcast, recorded at RailTech Europe 2026, examines the strained communication between rail infrastructure managers and freight operators. Guest Kris Kosmala, a startup mentor at D2XCEL, argues that current collaboration tools are outdated and hinder efficient freight movement. The...

By RailFreight.com
Iran-Linked Tankers Sail Through Hormuz Before US Blockade
NewsApr 13, 2026

Iran-Linked Tankers Sail Through Hormuz Before US Blockade

Two tankers tied to Iran slipped through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, exiting the Gulf just before the United States initiates a blockade of Iranian ports and coastal facilities. The vessel Auroura was loaded with Iranian oil products, while...

By MarineLink
Kornit Digital Brings Global Apparel Leaders Together to Accelerate the Move Towards On-Demand Production
NewsApr 13, 2026

Kornit Digital Brings Global Apparel Leaders Together to Accelerate the Move Towards On-Demand Production

Kornit Digital gathered more than 500 leaders from the global apparel ecosystem at Konnections 2026 in Hollywood, Florida. The three‑day event highlighted the industry’s shift toward real‑time, on‑demand manufacturing and featured the debut of Atlas MATRIX, a platform that prints...

By MarTech Series
BRICS Grows to Ten Members Ahead of New Delhi Summit, Challenging Western Economic Order
NewsApr 13, 2026

BRICS Grows to Ten Members Ahead of New Delhi Summit, Challenging Western Economic Order

The BRICS bloc has added Indonesia, bringing full membership to ten countries and setting the stage for a September 2026 summit in New Delhi. With 45% of the world’s population and more than 35% of global GDP, the expanded group...

By Pulse
Avianca Cargo Adds Quito-Miami Flights Using Amazon Capacity
NewsApr 13, 2026

Avianca Cargo Adds Quito-Miami Flights Using Amazon Capacity

Avianca Cargo has added a new Quito‑Miami service, operating five flights per week. The flights use lift capacity provided by Amazon Air Cargo, extending the partnership that began in 2025 with Bogotá‑Miami. The route is aimed at meeting rising demand...

By Air Cargo News
Oil Prices Surge 8% to $103 as US‑Iran Talks Collapse and Strait of Hormuz Blockade Looms
NewsApr 13, 2026

Oil Prices Surge 8% to $103 as US‑Iran Talks Collapse and Strait of Hormuz Blockade Looms

Brent crude futures jumped almost 8% to about $103 a barrel after US‑Iran peace talks collapsed and the US Navy began positioning forces to block the Strait of Hormuz. The price spike reverberated through equity markets, with Germany’s DAX tumbling,...

By Pulse
This Week in Trucking: Idaho Speed Limits, Iran Conflict, and Rising Fuel Costs
BlogApr 13, 2026

This Week in Trucking: Idaho Speed Limits, Iran Conflict, and Rising Fuel Costs

The trucking sector faced a mix of regulatory, geopolitical, and cost pressures this week. Idaho enacted House Bill 664, raising the interstate speed limit for semi‑trucks to 80 mph, matching passenger vehicles, effective July 1. Ongoing conflict in the Middle East spurred...

By The TruckersReport Blog
Why Chinese 'Knock-Down' Car Kits Could Spell Catastrophe for Canadian Automakers
NewsApr 13, 2026

Why Chinese 'Knock-Down' Car Kits Could Spell Catastrophe for Canadian Automakers

Chinese electric‑vehicle makers are eyeing the Canadian market, but industry leaders warn that importing cars as complete knock‑down (CKD) kits could devastate local manufacturing. Auto‑parts chief Flavio Volpe estimates a full‑scale assembly plant generates roughly $2.1 billion USD in economic activity...

By Financial Post – Mining (Canada)
How Jabil Uses AI and Robotics to Bolster Its Decarbonization Agenda
NewsApr 13, 2026

How Jabil Uses AI and Robotics to Bolster Its Decarbonization Agenda

Jabil is allocating $500 million in 2025 to revamp its factories with AI and robotics, part of a broader push to slash its carbon footprint. Since 2019, AI‑driven process changes have already cut operational emissions by 47%, positioning the contract manufacturer...

By GreenBiz
Navoi International Airport Becomes TIACA Member
NewsApr 13, 2026

Navoi International Airport Becomes TIACA Member

Navoi International Airport in Uzbekistan has become a member of the International Air Cargo Association (TIACA), signaling its ambition to be a leading cargo hub between Europe and Asia. The airport is rapidly gaining recognition for its strategic location and...

By Aviation Business News – Cargo
Malaysia Faces Energy Emergency Amid Trump’s Hormuz Blockade
NewsApr 13, 2026

Malaysia Faces Energy Emergency Amid Trump’s Hormuz Blockade

Malaysia is confronting an energy emergency after six oil tankers carrying up to 6 million barrels became stranded in the Strait of Hormuz following President Donald Trump's announced blockade. Only one tanker has so far cleared the waterway, and the government...

By South China Morning Post – Asia