Today's Supply Chain Pulse
Shipowners stay cautious despite US‑Iran Hormuz reopening deal
President Trump announced a deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, ending the naval blockade that had closed the oil conduit since late February. Shipowners, however, remain wary, pointing to 57 recorded security incidents and lingering mines, and are opting for lower‑risk routes until safety can be assured.
Also developing:
By the numbers: GIA acquires 30% stake in De Beers' Tracr blockchain platform
Insights: When the Climate Becomes a Cargo Risk
Rising temperatures and humidity across Southeast Asian shipping lanes are compromising cargo integrity, with container interiors reaching 38‑50 °C and condensation causing moisture damage. Case studies show $60,000 losses from heat‑damaged photographic paper and rejected polyamide roof rails due to swelling. The industry is responding with weather‑routing technology, upgraded port infrastructure, and stronger vessels, while shippers adopt refrigerated containers, desiccants, and real‑time monitoring to mitigate risk.
Majority of Vendors Face Disruption Under FCC’s Foreign-Made Router Ban
The FCC’s new rule, adopted in March, bars authorization of any new Wi‑Fi router whose design, assembly, or manufacturing involves foreign facilities. A study by Ookla shows that four vendors—Eero, TP‑Link, Netgear and Arcadyan—each control roughly 9‑10% of the U.S....
CBP Building Centralized Refund System for IEEPA Tariff Duties
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is creating a centralized, web‑based system to refund duties collected under International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs that the Supreme Court invalidated in February. The new Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries platform will...
Russia, China Block Hormuz Action at UN as Shipping Crisis Continues
The UN Security Council failed to adopt a Gulf‑backed resolution protecting navigation through the Strait of Hormuz after Russia and China vetoed it, exposing stark geopolitical rifts. The draft, backed by the United States, the United Kingdom and Gulf states,...
Foldable iPhone Hits Engineering Snags, Shipment Delays Possible: Sources
Apple’s long‑awaited foldable iPhone has hit engineering testing snags, raising the risk of production delays. The company is in an "extremely critical" April‑May window to resolve the issues before mass‑production ramps up. Sources say the setbacks could push back the...
How the Iran War and AI Are Making Tech More Expensive
The ongoing Iran war and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence are jointly inflating technology costs worldwide. Disruptions to semiconductor supply chains and heightened logistics expenses are pushing component prices up 15‑20 percent. At the same time, soaring demand for...
North America’s First Lithium Hydroxide Plant Goes Live In Texas, Reducing Reliance On China – by Bethany Blankley (Dallas Express...
Tesla’s North American lithium‑hydroxide refinery in Robstown, Texas began full‑scale operations in January 2026, marking the continent’s first battery‑grade plant of its kind. The project, broken ground in May 2023 by Governor Greg Abbott, Elon Musk and state officials, aims...
December Cement Shipments Up, Full-Year Down
Total U.S. and Puerto Rico cement shipments in December 2025 reached an estimated 6.82 million metric tons, a modest rise from 6.79 Mt a year earlier. However, cumulative shipments for the year fell 1.7% to about 101 Mt compared with 2024. Blended cement is...
STB Rules for Norfolk Southern in Dispute with CSX at Port of Virginia
The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) unanimously ruled in favor of Norfolk Southern Railway, rejecting CSX Transportation’s request for direct on‑dock service at Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) in the Port of Virginia. The decision preserves the historic competitive rail structure...
BANK ROLLED
In early April, Polymarket odds rose that the Iran‑backed Houthis would close Bab al‑Mandab and resume Red Sea attacks, but the author argues those odds are inflated. Since the February 2026 U.S.–Israeli airstrikes forced the closure of the Strait of...
How Tolls in the Strait of Hormuz Would Undercut International Law
The United States and Iran are each proposing tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a move that would contravene the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Neither country has ratified UNCLOS, leaving the proposed...
Maersk Introduces PSS From US Gulf to West Coast South America
Maersk announced a Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) for cargo moving from the US Gulf ports of Houston, Mobile and New Orleans to the West Coast of South America, effective 6 May 2026. The surcharge is $150 per 20‑foot dry container and $300...
Iran's Oil Revenues Soar Amid War-Driven Price Spikes
My view on Iran's surge in revenues since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran with @CoffeeandaMike: "Since the war started, the Iranians have been shipping a lot more crude out of the Strait of Hormuz, they've been selling at...
5 Steps to Strengthen Supply Chain Security and Improve Cyber Resilience
Supply chain attacks are increasingly bypassing traditional defenses, forcing organizations to treat vendor risk as a core cyber‑resilience issue. The article outlines five practical steps: mapping and prioritizing dependencies, continuously monitoring supplier security posture, tightening access controls, deploying unified telemetry...
Pirates Abandon Hijacked Iranian Dhow After EU Naval Pressure Off Somalia
European naval forces freed the Iranian‑flagged fishing dhow ALWASEEMI on April 5 after a two‑week pirate takeover in the Western Indian Ocean. The vessel, hijacked on March 24, was likely intended as a mothership for attacks on larger ships. EU’s Operation ATALANTA applied...
April 7 Business Watch: Iran War Hits Persian Gulf Facilities; Trump Throws Tariffs on Pharma
War in Iran escalated this week as drones struck petrochemical facilities in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, and an Israeli airstrike hit Iran's Mahshahr complex, forcing Borouge to suspend its 5 million‑tonne polyethylene and polypropylene output. The attacks have choked...
Why a 'No-Risk' Category Would Weaken EU's Landmark Anti-Deforestation Law (EUDR)
The European Commission will release a simplification review of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) ahead of its December 2026 start. The review faces pressure to add a "no‑risk" category that would exempt companies sourcing from countries with stable forest cover...
REAlloys Advances Rare Earth Processing Expansion in Ohio
REAlloys Inc. is fast‑tracking a rare‑earth metallization plant in Euclid, Ohio, securing a supply deal for up to 10% of the Sheep Creek project’s output and courting up to $200 million in Export‑Import Bank financing. Phase 1 will produce 525 tonnes per year...
Daily Energy Report
The April 7, 2026 Daily Energy Report updates Western Canada’s crude export mix, showing Asian markets—especially China—still dominate shipments. China accounts for more than half of the total volume, while the United States’ western region sees fluctuating deliveries between 80,000 and 180,000...
How Serious Will the Jet Fuel Crisis in Europe Become?
Jet fuel prices have jumped 95% since the February attacks on Iran, as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz cut roughly 20% of global seaborne jet‑fuel supply. European airports are already imposing restrictions, and airlines such as SAS have...
China and Russia Veto UN Resolution on Strait of Hormuz
The United Nations Security Council failed to adopt a draft resolution on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz after China and Russia exercised their vetoes on 7 April 2026. The text, championed by Bahrain and Gulf Cooperation Council members,...
How Manufacturers Are Training Their Workforce for AI-Powered Operations
Manufacturers are rapidly deploying AI for predictive maintenance, machine‑vision inspection, and real‑time scheduling. The speed of implementation has outstripped workforce preparation, resulting in underused systems and ignored alerts. Companies are shifting training from generic software demos to role‑specific AI literacy,...
Metal Brackets, Panels and Fixtures: Project Manager Guide
Custom metal brackets, panels, and fixtures are critical components in construction and manufacturing, and their procurement often determines project success. The global sheet‑metal market is projected to reach $341.8 billion in 2025 and $496.3 billion by 2035, driving rising demand for custom...
SDVI Launches Next-Gen Rally Platform For Media Supply Chains
SDVI announced the launch of the next‑generation Rally platform, revamping its media supply‑chain engine with a declarative architecture that separates the control plane from the data plane. The upgrade adds a visual supply‑chain builder, a modular functions layer, and a...
The Iran War Is Disrupting More Than Oil. Here’s What Could Get Expensive Next
The Iran‑Israel conflict is rippling through global commodity markets, pushing aluminum, helium, fertilizer, sulfur and plastics into shortage zones. Since February, aluminum has risen about 12% to $3,411 per metric ton after attacks on Middle‑East smelters, while helium supplies are...
Intel Joins Elon Musk’s Fab Project
Intel announced on April 7 that it will serve as the manufacturing and packaging partner for Elon Musk’s Terafab project, a $20‑$25 billion semiconductor fab planned for Austin, Texas. The partnership positions Intel to help deliver 1 terawatt of compute power annually...
Budget Pressure Is Simplifying Federal Procurement, and Separating Winners From Losers
Federal agencies facing compressed budgets and staffing shortages are simplifying procurement by favoring two streamlined evaluation methods—Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) and Highest Technically Rated Offeror (HTRO). The shift is reinforced by reduced protest exposure through GWACs and multi‑award IDIQs...
Europe’s $800 Billion Rearmament Has a Chemistry Problem
Europe’s $880 bn rearmament drive hinges on a fragile chemistry chain. Rheinmetall’s €500 m (≈$550 m) Unterlüß plant will boost 155 mm shell output to 350,000 units by 2027, but every round needs nitrocellulose derived from Chinese cotton linter. The alliance also depends on...
TradeCentric, Commercetools Partner on B2B Ecommerce
TradeCentric and commercetools have formed a strategic partnership to integrate B2B e‑procurement with AI‑first commerce platforms. The collaboration enables suppliers to connect digital storefronts directly to buyers’ procurement systems, leveraging TradeCentric’s PunchOut capabilities to slash purchase‑order processing time by 80%...
GAO Details Why KBR Lost $1.8B NASA Spaceflight Contract
The Government Accountability Office upheld NASA’s decision to award the $1.8 billion COSMOS contract to the Ascend Aerospace‑Technology joint venture, ending KBR’s protests. GAO found Ascend’s small‑business status satisfied solicitation requirements and that NASA’s removal of the word “greatly” was a...
Fastmarkets Suspends 10 Steel Pipe Prices, CFR Jebel Ali
Fastmarkets announced the suspension of ten steel pipe price assessments for the CFR Jebel Ali market, covering both seamless and welded OCTG casings and linepipe grades. The suspension follows ongoing disruptions caused by the US‑Israel‑Iran conflict, which has hampered regional deliveries...
Trump Blames Greenland for NATO Breakup
the unnecessary origin story of trump's nato breakup, in his own words: "it all began with greenland."
Drewry Intra-Asia Container Index Jumps 28% on Middle East Disruption
Drewry’s Intra‑Asia Container Index jumped 28% in the first week of April, reaching $865 for a 40‑foot container. The surge marks three consecutive weeks of gains and places the index 29% above its year‑on‑year level. The primary driver was a...
Impending Bahrain Conflict Could Trigger Oil Market Catastrophe
I sat down with @JoshYoung, CIO of Bison Interests - the fund that returned 349% in a single year on oil. He told me this war is far from over. And the real crisis hasn't even started. "I don't think the market...
Oil Benchmark Hits Record, Reflecting Iran War Shortages
A key benchmark for physical oil has surged to its highest level on record, showing that global crude markets are increasingly pricing in supply shortages caused by the Iran war. https://t.co/OCII5LIP6Z https://t.co/V7iFSd47Gu
ADG 4/7: Two Way Player
Delta Air Lines announced higher baggage fees—$45 for the first bag, $55 for the second and $200 for a third—citing a surge in jet‑fuel costs that have more than doubled since the start of 2026. Global jet fuel averaged $209...
Pakistan Urges Iran to Reopen Hormuz, Pause Fighting
🚨 Pakistan requesting Iran: ➡️ Open straight of Hormuz for 2 weeks ➡️ Ceasefire for two weeks ➡️ Trump to extend deadline for 2 weeks ➡️ Meanwhile, Iranian official tells Reuters: exchanges via mediators still ongoing (😇 this morning it was cutoff?)
Firms Use Legal and Illegal Tactics to Dodge US Tariffs
In today's thrilling episode of "least surprising tariff news ever", the NYT reports that firms have reacted to historically high and complex US tariffs by engaging in lawful and unlawful ways to avoid paying them. Shocked, shocked, etc etc. https://t.co/f7tZuI7dgo
Walmart to Close Illinois Fulfillment Center
Walmart announced the permanent closure of its Matteson, Illinois fulfillment center, affecting 111 employees. Operations will be transferred to other NextGen facilities in the retailer’s network, and affected workers receive a $7,500 incentive to relocate or transition to open roles....
NYT Exposes Widespread Tariff Fraud Since Last Year
Tariff fraud is rampant since last year. Great NY Times piece exposing the fraud today. https://t.co/FMWKsJMk9V
Paper Prices Lag Real Commodity Costs Amid Iran War
Supply chains, with the Iran war, they are seeing a difference between paper prices for affected commodities and what they are paying. Paper is lagging reality. https://t.co/oYEHrq6g23
Progress Rail Partners With Triton Group to Supply Composite Ties
Progress Rail has signed an exclusive sales and marketing agreement with Triton Group to distribute its composite railroad ties. The ties incorporate 160 lb of recycled plastic and engineered glass fiber, offering a durable, creosote‑free alternative to traditional wood ties. Progress...
Trump Admin Warned of $200 Oil, Brent Hits $144
Two weeks ago, we scooped that the Trump administration was modeling the impact of oil prices reaching as high as $200 a barrel due to the #IranWar. Dated Brent oil just hit a record about $144...
General Caine Warns Iran Could Block Vital Hormuz Strait
MUST READ: “General Caine […] also flagged the enormous difficulty of securing the Strait of Hormuz and the risks of Iran blocking it. Mr. Trump had dismissed that possibility on the assumption that the regime would capitulate before it came...
Recognized as Top 50 Manufacturing Thought Leader
Proud to share: I have been named one of the 50 Best Thought Leaders in Manufacturing (2026) by Clarity. 30+ years in supply chain/ops, sharing insights through columns, media quotes and podcasts. https://t.co/UQNqnIq1IH #Manufacturing #SupplyChain #Leadership https://t.co/1MwFLC4uUV
First Sale Metrics Reveal Tariff Impact on Retailers
The reality of dealing with the Trump tariffs. Import value. First Sale. Maybe Last Sale, if it happens. Does using First Sale reflect the size of the retailer? And manufacturers?
Trump Admin Stalls $5.9B Citgo Takeover over Risk
EXCLUSIVE: A $5.9 billion deal for control of #Venezuela’s Citgo by a group affiliated with hedge fund Elliott has gotten bogged down amid Trump administration concerns over the price and political risk. @jendlouhyhc @NicolleYapur @GaripPatricia https://t.co/hnSAqgLCpt
Build Global Energy Corridors to Bypass Hormuz, Says Hochstein
".... The only long-term solution is new infrastructure—making a massive, internationally coordinated investment in energy corridors that bypass the Strait of Hormuz entirely... " -- @amoshochstein https://t.co/hvu4ACTwok
Manufacturers Skip Tariff Refunds Amid Legal Cost Concerns
"Uncertainty reigns for manufacturers seeking tariff refunds" https://t.co/hbU692VC7S "Of those that have decided not seek refunds, 37% said the anticipated legal costs or effort outweighed the potential refund." Theft. https://t.co/0M3rkxq0dm
Customers Adjust Prices Amid Rising Fuel Costs
Truckers: how are customers dealing with fuel spikes? Are you getting price adjustments? (Pic from Gary Johnson out of Needles, CA) https://t.co/Hi9h5ywOyg