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
Surging Traffic at Transhipment Hubs Hits Container Supply Chain Efficiency
Sea‑Intelligence Consulting’s latest study shows that the world’s biggest container transhipment hubs are eroding overall schedule reliability. By comparing un‑weighted regional averages with volume‑weighted figures, the analysis reveals a five‑point drop in Asia‑North Europe trade performance driven by congestion at mega‑ports such as Shanghai, Singapore, Rotterdam and Antwerp. Shippers are already adjusting routes, bypassing lagging hubs and shifting cargo to smaller, more reliable terminals. The findings signal a structural bottleneck that threatens the efficiency of global container flows.
AI-Enabled ETA Management Could Be the Key to Solving Port Congestion
Port congestion is worsening as megaships and trade volumes outpace infrastructure, driving higher costs, emissions, and supply‑chain delays. AI‑driven predictive ETA management leverages real‑time weather, vessel performance and traffic data to forecast arrival times with greater accuracy. By aligning berth...
Friedland Warns About Strait of Hormuz Impact on Copper Mining
Ivanhoe Mines Co‑Chairman Robert Friedland warned that the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz threatens sulfur supplies essential for copper leaching, potentially curbing global copper output. He noted that roughly 20% of worldwide copper production depends on sulfuric‑acid leaching,...
STG Picks up Freight Management Software Firm Carrier Logistics Inc
STG announced the acquisition of Carrier Logistics Inc., a freight‑management software provider. The deal will embed advanced agentic AI frameworks into CLI’s platform, aiming to automate routing, capacity matching, and real‑time decision making. By combining STG’s capital and market reach...
Spain's Corrugated Cardboard Sector Posts €7.2 Billion in 2025, Holding Third Place in Europe
Spain’s corrugated cardboard industry posted €7.168 billion in 2025 (≈ $7.7 billion), cementing its position as the third‑largest producer in Europe behind Germany and Italy. The sector comprises 66 corrugating firms operating 89 factories, generating 5.94 billion m² of board and consuming 3.35 million tons of paper....
War in Iran: Fertilizer Sector Warns of Lasting Supply Risk
A two‑week U.S.–Iran ceasefire will temporarily reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for roughly 30% of global fertilizer trade and 20% of natural‑gas flows. The closure has already forced several Gulf fertilizer plants offline, tightening worldwide supply and...
EU Exempts Wooden Pallets From PPWR Reuse Requirements
The European Commission clarified that wooden pallets are exempt from reuse obligations under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The guidance applies to pallets used for imports, exports and intra‑EU trade, as well as custom‑designed transport packaging. Industry concerns...
Trump Threatens Hormuz Blockade as FMC Eyes Probe Into Carrier Surcharges
Donald Trump announced a potential naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, heightening geopolitical risk for Gulf shipping. The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) responded by warning shippers it is monitoring carrier war‑risk surcharges and may launch a probe for...
How Shipway Is Rewriting the Economics of D2C Shipping
Shipway, the AI‑driven logistics platform owned by Unicommerce, has reached a Rs 100 crore annualised run‑rate and breakeven adjusted EBITDA after crossing 1 million monthly shipments. Its ShipSense AI engine evaluates warehouse proximity, courier performance, payment mode and return patterns in real time...
Top ICT Tenders: Transversal Computing Contract up for Grabs
The State Information Technology Agency (SITA) has issued a new transversal computing contract that will replace the 2020 RFB 740 tender. The contract covers outright purchase of desktop and mobile PCs, monitors, printers, biometric devices, consumables and related services for South...
Winners and Losers of the Iran War: Ukraine and Russia
The Iran war has slashed Persian Gulf oil exports to roughly 10‑12 million barrels per day, creating a global supply shortfall and pushing crude prices above $100 a barrel. While Russia initially saw a windfall from higher prices, Ukrainian drone strikes...
Engineering Reliability in a Changing Rail Industry
FreightCar America argues that the future of freight rail hinges on engineering discipline that couples safety with manufacturing consistency. By embedding layers‑of‑protection into design and production, the company reduces error and variability, enabling scalable output even as demand fluctuates. Targeted...
FAO: Protracted Strait of Hormuz Crisis Could Turn Into Global Agrifood Catastrophe
The FAO warned that a prolonged crisis in the Strait of Hormuz could halt shipments of essential agricultural inputs, sparking a surge in food‑price inflation comparable to the COVID‑19 shock. About 20‑45% of global fertilizer and energy imports travel through...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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
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...
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
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
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...
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:...
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...
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...
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
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...