Today's Supply Chain Pulse
U.S.-Iran Interim Deal Reopens Hormuz, Eases Oil Supply Strain
The United States and Iran signed an interim peace memorandum that normalizes traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, ending the naval blockade. President Trump warned that strategic petroleum reserves are draining fast, with Cushing, Oklahoma inventories just above 20 million barrels, the lowest level in years. The agreement also lifts Treasury waivers and releases roughly $24 billion in frozen assets.
Also developing:
By the numbers: USA Rare Earth secures $1.6B federal funding under CHIPS Act
Diageo Supplier to Idle 2 Kentucky Whiskey Distilleries
MGP Ingredients, a key supplier to Diageo and other spirit makers, will idle its Limestone Branch and Lux Row Kentucky distilleries starting May 1, with the pause expected to last at least a year. The shutdown will affect 33 employees, though warehousing, bottling and barrel programs will continue. The move reflects a broader structural oversupply in the American whiskey market, where production fell 28% year‑over‑year in the first eight months of 2025. MGP’s own branded bourbon sales remained flat, partially offsetting a 52% drop in its distilling‑solution business.
The Desert Digitalises: How Dubai Is Engineering a Global Hub for Robotics and Automation
Dubai is pivoting from a technology importer to a developer, anchored by the Dubai Robotics and Automation (R&A) Program launched in 2022. The initiative targets a 9% contribution of robotics to the emirate’s GDP by 2034 and plans to deploy...
Ocean Carriers Wait for Clarity on Safe Hormuz Passage After US-Iran Ceasefire
Ocean carriers are awaiting concrete guidance from the United States and Iran on safely navigating the Strait of Hormuz after a two‑week cease‑fire was brokered between Washington and Tehran. Iran pledged to permit shipping but has yet to release the...
Rock Tech Draws $144M Investment in Ontario Lithium Plant
BMI Group is investing C$200 million ($144 million) as the lead limited partner in Rock Tech Lithium’s proposed lithium‑hydroxide converter plant in northern Ontario. The partnership also earmarks up to C$30 million ($21.6 million) for engineering, permitting and early site work, targeting a final...
The Growing Demand for Aluminum CNC Machining in Modern Industries
Aluminum CNC machining is experiencing rapid growth as manufacturers seek lightweight, high‑precision parts across aerospace, automotive, construction, electronics, energy and medical sectors. The global CNC market is projected to surpass $100 billion by 2026, with firms like Yijin Solution leveraging AI‑driven...
Loss Sparks Innovation: Southwest's 10‑minute Turnarounds
This is one of my favorite examples that didn’t make it into the final version of Inside the Box. Link in bio if you would like to pre-order. In 1972, Southwest was almost out of money and had to sell one...
Truckie Boss Says ‘People Are Getting Desperate’ as Siphoned Diesel Seen as Sign of ‘Dire’ Crisis
Truck owner Madilyn Lostroh in Queensland discovered diesel siphoned from a truck, highlighting growing desperation as fuel prices soar. Wholesale diesel hit a record 320 Australian cents per litre (≈ $2.10 USD), with retail around 319 cents. While police data show only...
Geopolitical Turmoil, Oil Prices, & the Impact on Texas E&Ps
Geopolitical conflict involving the U.S., Israel and Iran has forced Iran to shut the Strait of Hormuz, removing roughly 12 million barrels per day—about 12% of global oil supply. The disruption pushed Brent crude to $119.50 a barrel, the highest level since...
Purem by Eberspächer Hits 100,000-Unit China Production for Steel EV Battery Housing, Targets Europe
Purem by Eberspächer has begun series production of high‑strength steel EV battery housings in China, surpassing 100,000 units per year from the second half of 2026. The steel enclosures are marketed as lighter and cheaper than traditional aluminum packs, while...
Exxon Lost 6 Pct of Its Global Output
Exxon Mobil reported a 6% drop in global production for Q1 after Iranian missile strikes damaged two LNG trains at its Qatar complex, a key asset in the Persian Gulf that normally supplies about 20% of its output. The outage...
Kroger Colluded with Trucking Companies via No-Hire Agreements, Lawsuit Alleges
A lawsuit filed Thursday alleges that Kroger instructed major trucking firms—Swift Transportation, U.S. Xpress and Werner Trucking—to enforce a no‑hire agreement that barred former Quickway drivers from employment. The complaint describes the arrangement as a “gentlemen’s agreement” aimed at suppressing wages...
Decision Latency: The Hidden Cost in Modern Supply Chains
Decision latency— the lag between recognizing a supply‑chain change and acting— is emerging as a hidden cost that can outweigh the original disruption. Companies invest heavily in visibility tools, yet fragmented data, unclear ownership, and slow escalation keep decisions sluggish....
Tanker Silences AIS at Iran, Wins Navigator's Balls
Today's Biggest Navigator's Balls Award goes to Curacao-flagged 105k ton crude oil tanker Star Line owned by a Panama company, blasting its AIS while pier side at Iran's Kharg Island. P.S. Navigator's Balls refer to the compensating spheres mounted...
2025 Snapshot
The American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association’s 2025 Snapshot shows short‑line carload volumes were essentially flat compared with 2024, staying within a 5% range. A modest net loss was driven by a dip in bridged movements, while originations and...
Qatar Begins Work to Resume LNG Production After Ceasefire
Qatar is mobilizing engineers to restart the Ras Laffan LNG complex, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas export facility, after a cease‑fire in the Middle East conflict. The plant, offline since early March, suffered missile damage that removed roughly 17%...
Is the Space Industry Too Dependent on a Small Group of Semiconductor and Electronics Suppliers?
The space sector relies on a handful of semiconductor and electronics vendors, not the broader global chip market. Radiation tolerance, long‑life qualification, and stringent testing shrink the usable pool to a few trusted names such as Microchip, Renesas, Teledyne and...
Hapag-Lloyd Sees Slow Return to Gulf Shipping After U.S.-Iran Ceasefire, Warns of Rising Disruption Costs
Hapag‑Lloyd warned that even after the U.S.–Iran ceasefire, a full return to normal Gulf shipping could take six to eight weeks. The carrier may start limited bookings to the upper Gulf in the coming days, but it needs security assurances...
Oracle Bets on Agentic AI for Its Procurement Solutions, Adding New App to SCM
Oracle has added a Design-to-Source Workspace to its Fusion Agentic Applications, an AI‑driven tool that translates CAD designs into qualified sourcing options. The app automates item creation, supplier identification, cost and lead‑time simulation, and RFQ generation, cutting manual data entry...
Lipsky Quoted in Reuters Article on China’s Role in Iran’s Military and Drone Production Process, and How Trump Is Unlikely...
The Atlantic Council cited a Reuters interview in which former Pentagon official Michael Lipsky warned that China is deepening its partnership with Iran, supplying components that enable Tehran's expanding drone and missile programs. Lipsky also noted that President Trump’s recent...
Commercial Drone Alliance Calls for Whole-of-Government Approach to Build Domestic Industry
In December 2025 the FCC placed all foreign‑made drones and critical components on its Covered List, restricting new imports while allowing existing inventory to remain on shelves. The Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA) responded with a white paper urging a whole‑of‑government...
What Adjusted Steel, Aluminum and Copper Tariffs Mean for Construction
The Trump administration has raised Section 232 tariffs to as high as 50% on pure steel, aluminum and copper products, with a 25% levy on derivative goods substantially made of those metals. Contractors say the impact will vary: some materials may...
FIATA and AON World Announce Strategic Partnership
FIATA, the centennial global freight‑forwarding association, announced AON World as its new Bronze Partner. The partnership aims to link the AON World network of logistics professionals with FIATA’s institutional platform, creating a more cohesive freight‑forwarding community. Both parties will develop...
VIDEO: Advanced New D.E.E.P. Propeller Blade Enters Production Phase
UK consortium led by Enki Marine has 3D‑printed an 815‑mm, 45‑kg section of a next‑generation nickel‑aluminum‑bronze propeller blade using wire‑arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). The milestone marks the first production‑phase component of the Digitally Enabled Efficient Propeller (D.E.E.P.) project, funded by...
Russia Oil Export Revenues Hit Highest Since Early Ukraine War as Prices Surge, Despite Ukrainian Port Attacks
Russian crude export revenues surged to about $2.02 billion per week, the highest level since June 2022, as global oil prices hit multi‑year highs. The rise was driven by a sharp increase in Urals prices above $116 a barrel and a narrowing...
Why Fuel and Food Prices Could Still Be Affected for Months
A tentative two‑week ceasefire in Iran has eased geopolitical tension, causing crude oil prices to tumble, yet they remain above pre‑war levels. Analysts warn that damaged Gulf production facilities and blocked shipments through the Strait of Hormuz will keep fuel...
How Viral TikTok Growth Is Leaving DTC Brands Vulnerable to Costly Logistics Breakdowns
TikTok Shop is turning viral videos into instant sales spikes for direct‑to‑consumer brands, but many lack the logistics framework to handle the sudden surge of international orders. Products classified as restricted, such as alcohol‑based perfumes, can cost $200‑$300 per unit...
Iran's Weakened Arsenal Questions Strait Control Agreement
Just watched @secwar and Chairman @thejointstaff press conference. Sec Hegseth said the Strait was open but that does not seem to match with the statements coming out of Iran. The litenty of destruction makes it appear that Iran has no offensive...
Gulf Shipping Recovery Delayed 6‑8 Weeks, Costs Rise
Hapag-Lloyd Sees Slow Return to Gulf Shipping After U.S.-Iran Ceasefire, Warns of Rising Disruption Costs. Even after stabilization, it will take 6-8 weeks to normalize. https://t.co/emk6r5HOsP
USA Port Push: Strategic Tool or Tactical Patch?
The U.S. government’s Port Infrastructure Development Program, bolstered by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is being positioned as a cornerstone of a broader maritime revival. Roughly $17.5 billion in federal funds have been earmarked to modernize terminals, improve intermodal links,...
Pre‑tariff Import Rush Skews Trade‑deficit Perception
In early 2025, firms rushed imports ahead of the new tariffs, temporarily widening the trade deficit and building inventories. By late 2025-early 2026, trade flows smoothed back out. Comparisons to the earlier surge misleadingly suggest a sharp decline in the...
Hormuz Still Blocked; Shippers Await Post‑ceasefire Safety
The Strait of Hormuz appeared to remain largely blocked on Wednesday, as shipowners try to understand if they can safely transit the vital waterway following a ceasefire between the US and Iran that was announced overnight https://t.co/zdoetY8L6Y
Amazon Freight Increases Dry Van Trailer Count to 80k
Amazon Freight announced its dry‑van trailer fleet has reached 80,000 units, a rise of 10,000 since June 2025. The expansion gives shippers more flexibility during peak seasons and faster response for urgent loads. Equipped with real‑time tracking, the new trailers...
US Avocado Imports Surge to Record 2.6B Pounds
Resiliency: "US Avocado Imports Hit Record 2.6 Billion Pounds on Sports, Cinco de Mayo" https://t.co/X40efQuehA https://t.co/JhBuKnse35
We Handed Iran Leverage; Now They'll Wield It
Now that we've powered up Iran's use of the Strait of Hormuz as leverage, they're going to want to wield it. It's the only major card they now have. And we gave it to them.
USPS to Shift some Volume as It Installs New Sortation Equipment
The U.S. Postal Service is installing new package sortation equipment at several processing facilities this month, temporarily rerouting volume to alternate sites during the transition. The upgrades raise daily processing capacity to about 88 million packages, up from 60 million, and add...
Iran Halts Hormuz Shipping Amid Ceasefire Tensions
🚨 Iran STOPS tankers traveling through Hormuz ✅ Iran claims ceasefire breach by Israel. ✅ Israel claims ceasefire breach by Iran. ✅ Iran may withdraw from ceasefire. ✅ Trump says in-person talks Friday, though JD Vance may not show up. the morning after...
Shipowners Refuse Payments to Iran; Verify Sources
Interesting that the shipowners are not paying // not considering paying 🇮🇷 Important to follow people with good sourcing
Online Supermarket Tests Autonomous Delivery Vehicles in Belgium
Collect&Go, the online arm of Belgium's Colruyt Group, will trial driverless Clevon 1 delivery robots in Leuven’s city centre from mid‑May to August. The electric vehicle, acquired by US‑based indiGOtech in 2025, can transport two grocery orders at a time and...
Prediction Markets Now Track Hormuz Traffic, Not Ceasefire
The prediction markets have shifted from assessing when the US-Iran will reach their ceasefire to 'When will traffic at the Strait of Hormuz return to normal': https://t.co/86UZblCs7z
Orbiting Warehouses Enable Hour‑long Global Deliveries
What if your warehouse was in orbit? Aerospace company Inversion has built a space-based delivery vehicle called Arc that can drop cargo anywhere on earth in under an hour. No airports. No roads. This is what the next logistics frontier looks...
The Fight Over ‘Critical Minerals,’ Explained
Critical minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earths are essential for electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines, and demand is projected to double by 2030. The United States, fearing China’s dominance in refining, launched Project Vault,...
Iran Steel Supply Unlikely to Benefit From Ceasefire
Despite a newly announced two‑week US‑Iran ceasefire, Iran’s steel production is unlikely to rebound quickly. Air strikes in late March severely damaged Mobarakeh Steel and Khuzestan Steel, forcing both plants—combined capacity about 14 million tonnes per year—to halt output for months....
FedEx Freight Mirrors Express Strategy, Pursues High‑Value Sectors
FedEx Freight is targeting high-quality revenue opportunities in SMB, Healthcare, Grocery and Data Centers & Energy. Much of what is being said, from a strategic purpose, sounds similar to what FedEx did for FedEx Express/Ground.
Steel Tariffs Risk Supply Shortages, SAISC Warns
The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC) warns that newly imposed anti‑dumping tariffs on selected steel imports are already prompting merchants to cancel or delay orders. While the tariffs aim to protect domestic producers, SAISC says the sudden rise...
Ceasefire Won’t Instantly Heal Supply Chain Disruptions
🧵 The US-Iran ceasefire is being called a "big day for world peace" — but the supply chain damage is already done. Here's what's broken, what it costs you, and how long it takes to fix. A thread on the...
Spain High-Speed Crash: Possible Rail Break Detected 22 Hours Before Accident, but No Alert Triggered
Spain’s high‑speed network suffered its deadliest crash in a decade when an Iryo train derailed near Adamuz, killing 46. A Civil Guard report reveals that Adif’s signalling system detected an electrical disturbance consistent with a rail break 21 hours and 57 minutes...
Broker’s Call: Jindal Stainless (Buy)
SBI Securities has upgraded Jindal Stainless to a Buy, setting a target price of ₹859 (≈$10.35) versus the current ₹753.30 (≈$9.07). The firm has commissioned a 1.2 mt stainless‑steel melt shop in Indonesia ahead of schedule, lifting total melting capacity to...
U.S. Rail Carload Volumes Rise in Q1 as Carloads Rise and Intermodal Holds Near Record Levels, Reports AAR
U.S. rail carloads rose 4.2% to 2.68 million in the first quarter, marking the highest weekly average since 2019. Grain shipments jumped 17.8%, while coal and chemicals posted modest gains. Excluding coal, carloads hit 1.98 million, the strongest level since 2015. Intermodal...
Iran's New Strait of Hormuz Leverage Sparks Bypass Investments
Hormuz went from free passage to controlled chokepoint overnight, writes @JavierBlas That gives Iran real leverage now—but it also guarantees massive investment to bypass it. https://t.co/3R0l6Irxud #Energy #Geopolitics #Oil
Hutchison Sues Maersk Over Panama Dispute
Hutchison takes Maersk to court over Panamanian fallout. Follows Hutchison legal action against Panama. https://t.co/9x8NUa7Yjv