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
CILT Urges UK Government to Embed Freight in Integrated Transport Strategy
The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK (CILT(UK)) welcomed the Department for Transport’s Integrated National Transport Strategy, praising its shift toward a system‑wide view of transport. The institute warned that without embedding freight from the outset, integration could become passenger‑centric and limit economic benefits. CILT(UK) called for aligned policy, funding, and operational frameworks, stronger data coordination, and performance metrics that capture both passenger and freight outcomes. It pledged to work with government and industry to translate the strategy into practical delivery.
Strait of Hormuz Tensions: Murrin’s Critical Weekly Forecast
Every Saturday. David Murrin’s key predictions from the week’s latest insight. This week — the Strait of Hormuz. And what’s really at stake.
Rishikesh Hotels Revert to Wood and Coal as LPG Shortage Deepens Ahead of Char Dham Yatra
Hotel owners in Rishikesh are using wood, coal and charcoal after commercial LPG supplies fell far short of demand ahead of the Char Dham Yatra. The state has raised its LPG allocation from 40% to 66%, but operators warn of...
Ukraine Records 7,000 Unmanned Ground Vehicle Missions in One Month
Ukraine’s military carried out a record 7,000 unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) missions in January, with robots now handling 90% of logistics and increasingly engaging in combat. The surge reflects a six‑fold production jump in 2025 and a $252 million market, while...
DHL Express Sharpens India Focus Under Strategy 2030; Eyes Growth in Sunrise Sectors
International logistics leader DHL Express is accelerating its India strategy under its global “Strategy 2030” roadmap, targeting a 50% increase in worldwide revenue from the 2023 baseline. India is one of 20 priority markets, with the company concentrating on high‑growth sectors...
The UN Has a Plan to Open Hormuz (Two of Them, Actually.)
The UN Secretary‑General announced a new task force to design technical mechanisms that would allow fertilizer and humanitarian goods to flow through the Strait of Hormuz amid the third Persian Gulf war. Oil shortages are already rattling South Asian economies,...
RI Turns to Africa, India for Naphtha as Middle East Supply Tightens
Indonesia relies on Middle East naphtha for 70% of its petrochemical feedstock, but the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, halting shipments. The supply crunch has pushed pack prices up by Rp5,000‑6,000 (≈$0.30) and driven packaging...
Rebuilding U.S. Industry Essential to Counter China’s Assault
For decades, the erosion of America's industrial capacity has been gradual and largely ignored. First, it was foundational sectors: solar, batteries, furniture, footwear, pharmaceuticals. Now, the shift is moving into advanced industries: materials, biotechnology, semiconductors and increasingly, technology and software. This is not...
MODEX 2026: Datalogic Introduces Mobile Computer, Image Readers and Safety Laser Scanner
At MODEX 2026 Datalogic unveiled a new suite of logistics technologies, including next‑generation mobile computers (Falcon X60/X65 and Skorpio X40/X45), high‑speed Matrix 830/930 image readers, and the world‑first SLS 10m safety laser scanner. The Falcon line returns with enhanced long‑range...
OPEC+ Debates Theoretical Oil Output Hike Amid Iran War Paralysis
OPEC+ is expected to approve a modest output increase for May, but the rise will be largely academic because key producers cannot lift production amid the US‑Israeli war with Iran that has shut the Strait of Hormuz. The closure and...
Borderlands Mexico: Tariff Pressure Shows up in Customs Data Across North America
Customs data for February shows tariffs reshaping North‑American trade flows rather than curbing them. Mexico’s customs revenue fell 13% YoY to about $11.5 billion, with VAT on imports down 22.6%, while the peso’s 15% gain reduced the dollar value of shipments....
The High Price of Everything, Explained
Vox’s Explain It to Me podcast breaks down why everyday essentials—gasoline, coffee, and milk—are hitting record prices. Gas prices surge as the Iran‑Houthi conflict chokes the Strait of Hormuz, limiting crude supplies and forcing the U.S. to import heavier grades...
US Tariff Spike Vanishes by Lunch, Market Wins
A new Factful Friday is up! (I'm catching up for the lost weeks.) https://t.co/fwpvB8ElNV 👉At 12:01am on 9 April 2025, US tariffs hit historic highs. The biggest American tariff hike ever. 👉By lunchtime, most of them were gone. ⭐Grievance-fuelled tariffs had collided with financial...
Australia Receives Fuel Export Guarantees From Singapore, Japan
Australia has secured assurances from Japan, South Korea and Singapore that fuel shipments will continue despite disruptions from the Iran‑Israel conflict. The guarantees come after concerns that Asian exporters might curtail supplies to protect domestic markets. South Korea alone supplies...
GE Aerospace Pledges over $1 Billion to Boost Global MRO Manufacturing Capacity
GE Aerospace announced a multi‑billion‑dollar program to expand its Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) footprint, including $1 billion in U.S. manufacturing in 2025, another $1 billion in 2026, and up to $300 million in Singapore. The move aims to lift engine turnaround speed,...
Intel to Repurchase Apollo’s 49% Stake in Fab 34 for $14.2 B
Intel has struck a deal with Apollo Global Management to repurchase the private‑equity firm’s 49% ownership of the Fab 34 manufacturing site in Ireland for $14.2 billion. The transaction, announced this week, is intended to give Intel full control of a...
Jet Fuel Peaks at $1,900/Tonne, Threatening European Airline Stocks and Holiday Travel
Jet fuel surged to a record $1,900 per tonne, prompting Ryanair to warn up to 10% of its summer flights could be axed and forcing Aurigny to add a £2 (≈$2.55) surcharge. The spike threatens airline earnings and tourism‑linked equities...
Sony Hikes PS5 Prices up to $900, Hinting at Longer Console Generation
Sony announced new MSRPs for its PlayStation 5 family on April 2, with the entry‑level digital console now $600, the disc‑drive model $650 and the PS5 Pro $900. The hikes break the traditional mid‑generation price drop and suggest the current generation will...
Somaliland Under Import Crisis Despite Berbera’s Boom
Somaliland is grappling with a severe import shortage even as the nearby Berbera port experiences a surge in cargo traffic. Heavy investment from the United Arab Emirates has boosted port revenues, reportedly generating around $200 million annually. However, disruptions in the...
„Super Rafale” F5, Victima Autonomiei Strategice? Franța Va Finanța Integral Noul Standard După Retragerea Din Program a Emiratelor Arabe Unite
France has committed to fully finance the next‑generation Rafale F5 fighter after the United Arab Emirates withdrew from co‑funding negotiations. The split creates a €3.5 billion (approximately $3.8 billion) shortfall in the program’s budget. Abu Dhabi walked away because Paris refused to...
TV Industry Bracing for Decline in Sales on Rising Production Costs Amid West Asia Crisis
The Indian TV market is bracing for a sales dip as soaring RAM prices, higher plastic and ocean‑freight costs linked to the West Asia crisis, and rupee depreciation push retail prices up about 20%. An entry‑level 32‑inch set now costs...
Tariffs Boost US Steel Prices
Tariffs sustain US steel prices; infrastructure demand firm. Nucor: scale + scrap verticals; Commercial Metals: rebar exposure, M&A. Risks: demand slump, tariff rollback. Trade: Buy Nucor for FCF upside. — Viktor Kopylov, PhD, CFA. More insights: t.me/si14Kopylov
Ningbo Ocean Shipping Approves Vessel and Equipment Investment
Ningbo Ocean Shipping (NBOSCO) board approved a capital program exceeding $390 million to enlarge its fleet and container inventory. The plan earmarks up to $246 million for four 1,900‑TEU feeder vessels, with options for two additional ships, selected through competitive bidding. A...
Political Risk Insurance to Surge Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions
The US‑Israel conflict with Iran is exposing hotels, data centres, pipelines and other assets across the Middle East to heightened war‑related threats, prompting a sharp rise in demand for political risk insurance, according to GlobalData. Insurers anticipate a surge in...
Pharmaceutical Logistics in Demand as War Rattles Supply Chains
DHL’s health‑logistics campus near Frankfurt, spanning 14 football fields and powered by solar panels, is becoming a critical hub for temperature‑controlled pharmaceutical shipments amid heightened supply‑chain risks from the Middle‑East conflict. The site, which can store 140,000 pallets and maintain...
In Response to the "The Last Molecule Standing"
The post highlights how geographic and technological concentration of critical commodities—natural gas/LNG, helium, rare gases, fertilizers, and specialized heat exchangers—creates systemic vulnerabilities that can amplify price spikes and supply disruptions. It points out that while some markets, like LNG, have...
Comment: Security Concerns Reflect Rail’s Reliance on Its People
Deutsche Bahn announced a suite of new security measures for its staff after a fatal assault in February, including heightened on‑site security, mandatory safety training, and faster incident reporting. The incident has drawn attention to the railway’s dependence on its workforce,...
U.S. Drug Tariffs Seen as Sparing Taiwan Prices, Supply
The United States has issued an executive order imposing up to 100% tariffs on patented drugs manufactured abroad, while offering a 20% rate for firms that relocate production to the U.S. Taiwan officials say the measure will not raise drug...
Saudi Arabia’s Non-Oil Business Activity Shrinks in March Amid Conflict, PMI Shows
Saudi Arabia’s non‑oil private‑sector activity contracted in March, with the Riyad Bank PMI slipping to 48.8 from 56.1 in February. The decline marks the first contraction since August 2020 and reflects heightened geopolitical risk from the regional conflict. New‑orders and...
Sinéad O'Sullivan: We Need a National Strategy for the Fuel Crisis. Here Are Four Things We Can Do Now
Recent Middle East conflict has driven heating oil prices in Ireland from about $545 to over $1,090 per fill within a month. The Irish government responded with a €250 million ($273 million) relief package, including excise cuts and a diesel rebate, but...
Diesel’s Gulf Surplus Makes It Cheaper than VLSFO
One of the most interesting pieces of information I had we relayed to me was that one of the ships stuck in the Persian Gulf loaded with diesel fuel vice Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO). The reason? Diesel was substantially cheaper...
Geopolitics Spurs UK AI
Geopolitics rewires AI supply chains: UK courts Anthropic after US DoD clash, boosting local AI hub potential. Policy/reputational risk persists. Trade: buy UK AI/tech stocks on pullbacks. — Viktor Kopylov, PhD, CFA More insights: t.me/si14Kopylov
Truckloads of Food Are Being Wasted because Computers Won’t Approve Them
Digital approval systems now govern every food shipment, and when they malfunction, trucks loaded with produce sit idle, leading to waste. Recent cyber‑attacks on U.S. grocery networks and the 2021 JBS ransomware incident illustrate how a broken digital manifest can...
Designing Inspection Systems for Challenging Surfaces
Manufacturers are turning to full in‑line optical inspection to cut scrap and boost traceability, but reflective metals, black rubbers, translucent plastics, and hot steel still cause erratic readings. The article explains how light‑material interaction—absorption, reflection, scattering—drives sensor performance and why...
Russian LNG Vessel Shifts From Arctic to Africa‑Asia Trade
This is a story packed with irony — perfect for the media: An ICE-class LNG carrier, once dedicated to carrying Yamal LNG from Russia’s Arctic, is now transporting LNG from Africa to Asia. The question is: Why is a Russian company shipping...
Taiwan Secures LNG Supply Assurances From a ‘Major’ Country
Taiwan’s economy minister announced that a major LNG‑producing nation has offered full support for the island’s natural‑gas needs, pledging additional cargoes on request. The move follows concerns that the Iran war could disrupt Middle‑East supplies, prompting Taiwan to diversify its...
4D Map Reveals Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Blockade
i built this 4d reconstruction of iran's chokehold on the world's oil. almost nothing is getting through the strait of hormuz. you can clearly see the path ships took before/after the blockade, and can even detect & track "dark vessels"...
Higher Oil Prices Trigger Gas Flood, Lower Prices
Natural gas is nearly considered exhaust fluid by US oil drillers, but it is the backbone of the American plastics and petrochemicals industry. Oil is used far less than natgas in American chems or plastics. Natgas has an inverse pricing...
Countries Must Not Hoard Fuel During Iran War, Warns IEA
The International Energy Agency warned that countries should not hoard fuel as the war involving Iran escalates, fearing supply disruptions could tighten global markets. Iran, an OPEC member, accounts for about 4% of world oil output and controls the strategic...
VinFast Sells Over 3,520 Vehicles In A Day, Markets Move In India & Indonesia
VinFast delivered 3,520 electric vehicles in a single 24‑hour window in Vietnam, proving its production, logistics and delivery systems can operate at scale without friction. The company is simultaneously breaking ground on a $500 million, 150,000‑vehicle‑per‑year plant in Tamil Nadu, positioning it...
Gasoline, Diapers and Drinks: Japan Faces Wide-Ranging Impact Amid Concern over Oil
Japan relies on Middle‑Eastern crude for 94% of its oil, with 93% transiting the Strait of Hormuz. A closure of the strait has forced the government to tap its strategic reserves, now covering roughly 230 days—about eight months—of consumption. Because...
Bulk Rail Growth Unlinked to Diesel Prices, Not Mode‑Shift
The strength of bulk rail in Q1 has little to do with the high price of diesel. Chemical shipments had their largest month on record in February 2026 before it was broken in March. Grains actually had a bigger month...
Human Spirit Value Trumps Dollars in Sourcing Decisions
“The blossom of the human spirit exceeds what can be measured in dollars. Senior executives and #procurement & #supplychain mgrs. must factor this consideration into the business case for global/low-cost country sourcing.” https://t.co/t8JztNFbee #corporatesocialresponsibility
Turkish‑operated Tanker Moves 1 M Barrels via Iran’s Corridor
Roughly 1 million barrels of Iraqi Basra Heavy has passed through the Strait of Hormuz using the Iranian-assigned corridor. The vessel, a shadow fleet tanker, is owned and operated by a Turkish company. Map form @Kpler
Japan Secures Four Months of Naphtha Supply
Japan has secured at least four months of naphtha, Prime Minister Takaichi says 🇯🇵 🛢️ 📌 Two months' worth of imported naphtha already procured 📌 Two months' worth of inventories
Iranian Drones Strike Kuwait Oil Sites, Warning Before Trump Ultimatum
Hours ahead of Trump’s ultimatum on attacks on Iranian infrastructure, Iranian drones attacked (and set on fire) the headquarters of the Kuwait state-owned oil company KPC and the country’s oil ministry, located in Kuwait City. The message seems clear.
Australia Assures Fuel Supply Ahead of Japan PM Visit
Australia given fuel supply assurances as plans in works for visit by Japan's prime minister https://t.co/C0jQ0t1KjJ via @ABCaustralia
Know Your Second and Third-Tier Suppliers for Better Planning
Enhance supply chain visibility beyond immediate partners. Understanding second and third-tier suppliers' reliability, quality, availability, and lead times is crucial for effective planning and anticipating end-customer demand. #SupplyChain #Visibility https://t.co/hy28NvPSQv
China's AI-Driven Port Fully Automates Cargo Handling
Fully #Automated: China’s #AI-Powered Port Moves Cargo Without Humans by @_fluxfeeds #ArtificialIntelligence #MachineLearning #ML #MI https://t.co/Vvq8b8QW37
South Korea Turns to Gulf for Stable Energy Supply
JUST IN: South Korea is seeking reliable energy from Gulf nations to maintain supply stability and ensure protection for its vessels.