Today's Supply Chain Pulse
Strait of Hormuz closure stalls oil price surge despite 100‑day shutdown
The strategic waterway has been shut for 100 days, yet oil prices have not spiked. Prices fell after a U.S.–Iran deal was announced, and analysts warn that any relief to the oil market could take months to materialize.
Also developing:
By the numbers: GIA acquires 30% stake in De Beers' Tracr blockchain platform
Egypt Won’t Accept Ukrainian Wheat Exported by Russia, Zelenskyy Says
Egypt announced it will no longer accept Russian wheat that originates from occupied Ukrainian territories, marking a sharp policy reversal. The country, the world’s largest wheat importer, bought more than 8 million tons of Russian grain last year, accounting for a significant share of its food‑security imports. President Zelenskyy said Cairo is interested in increasing Ukrainian grain purchases and discussed military‑technical cooperation. The decision could reshape Egypt’s grain sourcing and deepen its strategic ties with Kyiv.
What Does Hapag-Lloyd’s India Move Really Signal?
Hapag-Lloyd has signed multiple Letters of Intent with the Indian government to reflag up to four vessels, create a ship‑recycling ecosystem, and back the development of the Vadhavan deep‑water port. These initiatives move beyond isolated operational steps, signalling a coordinated...
Retailers Lose Over US $ 200 Million Annually Due to Logistics Inefficiencies: Report
India’s organised retail sector is losing more than Rs 2,000 crore (about $215 million) each year because internal logistics remain inefficient. The report, covering 48 omnichannel brands and 7.2 million shipments, shows that manual processes and poor coordination delay inventory transfers, especially during peak...
BoA Survey Confirms Real Freight Market Recovery
BoA’s shipper survey is one of the most reliable datasets to monitor the health of the freight market. In March 2022, it signaled the collapse in the freight market, alongside SONAR’s data. At the time, there was massive skeptism about the...
Afreximbank in Talks with Kenya, Rwanda for Textile Funding
Afreximbank is in negotiations with Kenya and Rwanda to finance new textile projects, extending the bank’s successful model from Benin’s special economic zones. The lender also backs Nigeria with a $2 billion commitment and holds $11 billion in cash ready for African...
CMA CGM Kribi Becomes First Western Vessel to Cross Hormuz Amid Iran War
The Maltese‑flagged CMA CGM Kribi, owned by French logistics giant CMA CGM, sailed eastbound through the Strait of Hormuz on April 4, becoming the first Western‑flagged vessel allowed passage since the Iran‑Israel‑U.S. conflict began. The transit, coordinated with Iranian authorities, may mark...
Chinese Chip Makers Log Record $9.3B Revenue in 2025 as AI Demand and U.S. Curbs Boost Sales
Chinese semiconductor firms posted record 2025 revenue, with SMIC reporting $9.3 bn—a 16% rise—while memory maker CXMT saw a 130% jump to $8 bn. Analysts say AI demand and U.S. export restrictions are fueling a self‑sufficiency drive that could reshape the global...
DeepSeek's V4 AI Model to Run on Huawei Chips as OpenAI Shifts Focus to Enterprise Sales
China's DeepSeek announced its V4 model will run on Huawei's latest chips, prompting Alibaba, ByteDance and Tencent to place bulk orders for hundreds of thousands of units. At the same time, OpenAI reassigned COO Brad Lightcap to head special projects...
Amazon Adds 3.5% Fuel Surcharge for FBA Sellers Amid Soaring Oil Prices
Amazon announced a 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge for third‑party sellers using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) in the U.S. and Canada, effective April 17. The fee, driven by a 7% jump in Brent crude to $108 per barrel, adds roughly...
Middle East War: Global Economic Fallout
Amid the escalating Middle East conflict, a handful of vessels—including French and Japanese‑owned ships—have resumed transiting the Strait of Hormuz, easing a near‑three‑week blockade that has strained global oil and LNG flows. The war has also triggered a cascade of...
Three Unknown Japanese Firms Power All Digital Infrastructure
If these 3 Japanese companies you've never heard of went down, all modern digital infrastructure (and every AI breakthrough) would grind to a halt. Here's the story of JSR, Tokyo Ohka Kogyo (TOK) and Shin-Etsu, the most important companies you've never...
MSC Removes Tauranga From Wallaby Service Rotation
MSC has removed the New Zealand port of Tauranga from its Wallaby service, which links the Far East with Australia and New Zealand. The revised rotation now visits Shanghai and Ningbo in China, Sydney and Melbourne in Australia, and a string of...
MODEX 2026: Quicktron Robotics Highlights Integrated Warehouse Technologies
Quicktron Robotics will debut its QuickMix platform in the United States at MODEX 2026, showcasing the QuickBin Ultra tote system and QuickCube pallet automation. The integrated solution combines high‑density storage, up to 600 totes per hour per workstation, and flexible...
How to Build Shop Floor Accountability Without Becoming a Micromanager
Plant managers often fear stepping away from the shop floor, fearing chaos and missed decisions. The article argues that constant check‑ins are symptoms of missing systems rather than leadership flaws. It proposes a three‑step framework—clarity, consistency, accountability—to build processes that...
Pentagon Awards $2.35B Jet Fuel Contracts for Fleet Readiness
The Pentagon’s Defense Logistics Agency Energy has awarded more than $2.35 billion in one‑year contracts to 12 U.S. suppliers for jet fuel and naval fuel distillates, with deliveries extending to April 30, 2027. BP Products North America secured the largest portion at $813.4 million,...
Alarms That Keep Reappearing Even After Acknowledgement
Industrial operators often see alarms reappear after they acknowledge them, creating confusion and fatigue. The core reason is that acknowledgment only clears the visual cue, not the underlying process condition, which may still be out of range. Additional factors such...
New Report Exposes Supply Chain Risk for Firms
SCALA’s new "Resilience Gap" report warns that many UK firms face heightened supply‑chain risk due to heavy reliance on a few manufacturing regions, transport routes and major customers. The survey of senior supply‑chain leaders shows that 47% of companies generate...
FedEx Secures $2.68 Million Judgment Against MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell Over Unpaid Shipping Fees
FedEx obtained a $2,677,933.31 default judgment against MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell after the court found he owed the carrier for unpaid shipping fees. The ruling follows a broader $9 million claim and highlights the challenges carriers face when extending credit to...
UK, Allies Mull Fresh Iran Sanctions as Hormuz Toll Threatens Oil Supply Chain
Britain and a coalition of allies announced they are drafting new sanctions on Iran after Tehran imposed a $2 million toll on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, while European nations rebuffed President Trump’s request for military support. The move threatens...
K.C. Pharmaceuticals Recalls Over 3.1 Million Eye‑Drop Bottles From CVS, Walgreens and Others
K.C. Pharmaceuticals voluntarily recalled 3,111,072 bottles of over‑the‑counter eye drops sold at CVS, Walgreens, Kroger and other chains after the FDA identified a lack of assurance of sterility. The FDA classified the action as a Class II recall, prompting retailers to...
Rishikesh Hotels Turn to Wood and Coal as LPG Shortage Hits Char Dham Season
Hotel and dhaba owners in Rishikesh are scrambling to keep kitchens running by switching to wood and coal after a prolonged LPG shortage. The crisis coincides with the start of the Char Dham pilgrimage, prompting state officials to revise LPG...
Middle East Conflict Lifts Crude to $111 a Barrel, Snarls Shipping and Spikes Global Inflation Risk
The war in the Middle East has pushed Brent crude to $111 a barrel, forced Indian refiners to divert tankers to China, and left basmati exporters invoking force majeure. The disruption of the Strait of Hormuz and airline routes is...
PortSide Stories: Colombo
The Port of Colombo is a pivotal transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean, handling millions of TEUs each year and linking Asia with Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Its strategic location on the busiest east‑west maritime corridor enables vessels...
Tamil Nadu MSMEs Face 50% Output Cut as Polymer Prices Soar Amid US-Iran War
Polymer prices surged about 70% in March as the US‑Iran war disrupted oil markets, forcing Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry plastic MSMEs to slash output by roughly 50%. Over 8,000 manufacturers, employing around 200,000 workers, are confronting raw‑material shortages and soaring costs....
Govt Says No Diversion of Iranian Crude Cargo to China, Supplies Fully Secured
India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas refuted claims that an Iranian crude cargo destined for Vadinar was rerouted to China, labeling the reports factually incorrect. The ministry emphasized that Indian refiners continue to source crude from more than 40...
Tariffs Became Missiles, Sparking a Trade World War
The World War Trade 🎙️ podcast is up! 👉"If tariffs were missiles, the whole world would know that a world war started on April 2, 2025. That is the day Donald Trump launched tariffs against almost every nation in the world." 👉"Hours later, China put...
FIATA Makes Data Protection a Standard
FIATA and the Global Shippers Forum have introduced a signable version of their Data Governance Charter, converting previously voluntary principles into a binding framework for digital supply chains. The charter outlines mandatory standards on data ownership, permission controls, protection duties,...
MB Radio: Deep T and the External Shock
The MB Radio episode "Deep T and Mister G" examines the fallout from the United States and Israel’s attack on Iran, which could force Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz and choke off roughly 20% of global oil and...
AI Concierge Cuts Hardware Procurement Time to Minutes
Sri @AshwiniVaishnaw Ji, Your call for “Design in India” is both timely and necessary. To make this vision real, our engineering teams need not just incentives, but the ability to move faster from idea to execution. Today, a large portion of engineering...
War’s Ripple: Global Delays Highlight Real Fallout
Things are delayed all over the globe. That's the real world fallout from the war. We discussed it on our latest Facts vs Feelings. https://t.co/yVab2TJT0b
Iran’s Military May Be Decimated, but It’s Winning the Energy War as It Controls Who Gets Cargoes Through the Strait...
Iran’s military may be weakened, but it continues to dominate oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, imposing tolls of up to $2 million per vessel. Daily transits have collapsed from roughly 135 vessels to only a handful, pushing oil futures...
Meloni Heads to Doha to Secure Gulf Energy Ties
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived in Doha Saturday as part of a 2-day diplomatic charm offensive meant to shore up ties with the Gulf and bolster energy supplies hit by the war in Iran https://t.co/qFF0IY3avN via @donatopmancini @ssirletti https://t.co/r8GavWDRH6
U.S. Boosts Hormuz Insurance to $40B to Attract Ships
U.S. Doubles Hormuz Insurance Backstop to $40B in Hopes of Luring Ships Back. War risk—physical vs financial. Who has used this program? https://t.co/uliGuwjTgu
Pharma Industry Should Reduce Dependence on Import of Raw Materials: Rajesh Agarwal
India’s pharmaceutical sector, valued at roughly $60 billion, is being urged by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal to lessen its reliance on imported raw materials, especially active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). While full import substitution may be unrealistic, the push is for maximum...
U.S. Intel: Iran Unlikely to Reopen Hormuz, Oil Leverage
U.S. Intel Warns Iran Has No Incentive to Reopen Hormuz as Oil Leverage Grows. Economic vs military advantage. Can and how can Iran’s grasp be stopped? Will there be a protracted military operation? As supply and supply chains struggle. ...
Canada Acts, Yet Shippers Still Deny Truckers Bathroom Breaks
Canada will do this then shippers will still refuse to let truckers use the bathroom
Supply Shocks and Fiscal Math: How the War Is Stress-Testing India’s Economy
In a recent Businessline State of the Economy podcast, Union Bank of India's chief economic advisor Kanika Pasricha dissected the early economic effects of the Ukraine‑Russia war on India. She highlighted a steep decline in the manufacturing PMI caused by...
First Ships Navigate Hormuz, Redefining Global Shipping Risks
Controlled Passage: First Ships Edge Through Hormuz as Crisis Redefines Global Shipping. Iran vs UNCLOS. Shipping cost and war risk insurance vs value of cargo. Supply chain chaos. Supply shortages and impact—macro and micro. https://t.co/NYGVyblHEB
Manufacturers Flood ISM Surveys with Negative Tariff Criticism
"Since Mr Trump took charge, most of the comments from manufacturers that ISM has published along with its surveys have mentioned tariffs. Not one has been positive. Many of the unpublished ones are more forceful still." https://t.co/CPYmAXhPEP https://t.co/01lBtbBHB6
Leading Through Complexity: Building Resilient Operations in High-Pressure Environments
Senior operations executive Nanda Kishore outlines how resilient, technology‑driven supply chains thrive in high‑pressure, volatile markets. Drawing on experience across aerospace, marine and clean‑tech, he emphasizes stabilizing delivery, building adaptable supplier ecosystems, and bridging strategy with execution. The pandemic accelerated...
Effective Inventory Control Drives Timely Service and Cost Savings
Warehouse management hinges on effective inventory control. Knowing what you have, where it is, and when to move it ensures timely customer service and manages critical costs. It's about having the right materials at the right time. #WarehouseManagement #InventoryControl https://t.co/jm8inDJpVr
Amazon Launches Noisy yet Speedy Drone Deliveries in Dallas
Amazon’s #Drone Deliveries Take Off in Dallas—Fast, Convenient, and a Bit Noisy by @CollinRugg #Innovation #FutureTech #Tech #SupplyChain https://t.co/SrT6WsbVUR
VIAVI, Ground Control Partner to Enable Assured Maritime Vessel Tracking and Navigation
VIAVI Solutions has teamed with satellite‑communications specialist Ground Control to embed its Secure µPNT STL‑1000 receiver into the RockFLEET Assured maritime tracking platform. The compact, software‑defined device works with VIAVI’s SecureTime altGNSS LEO service to deliver precise timing and positioning even when...
People‑First Strategy Drives Successful Supply‑Chain Transformation
Transforming supply chains isn't just about new tech; it's about people. A clear adoption strategy ensures your team understands new processes, technologies, and their evolving roles. Without it, benefits are lost, and panic sets in. #ChangeManagement #SupplyChain https://t.co/JpWGtc3Ove
Kalmar Corporation to Supply Hybrid Straddle Carriers to PSA Antwerp
Kalmar Corporation will deliver 14 hybrid straddle carriers to PSA Antwerp, with delivery slated for Q4 2026. The order, booked in Q1 2026, supports the Port of Antwerp‑Bruges modernization and aims to cut emissions. The hybrid carriers blend diesel engines...
US Intel Says Iran Will Maintain Hormuz Chokehold
Exclusive: US intelligence warns Iran unlikely to ease Hormuz Strait chokehold soon, sources say https://t.co/s0QE23T6Eu
ATA Records Highest Tonnage in Three Years Amid Contract Surge
ATA, which survey's their members on tonnage data, reported the highest level in three years. We discussed the spot market carriers and how strong their markets are; the ATA members tend to operate in the contract market, which is seeing...
US Freight Rail Hits Best Start Since 2019
American Assn of Railroads April report was very strong, showing signs of industrial recovery: "US freight rail traffic posted some of its strongest readings in years, offering one of the clearest signals yet that the goods economy is regaining...
Hormuz Shutdown Tests Global Supply Resilience, Not Just Prices
A prolonged Hormuz closure is not mainly about whether wealthy countries can tolerate higher prices. It is about how long the global system can keep functioning before shortages begin to appear. https://t.co/ZnTkdfQu09
U.S. Energy Dominance Myth: Still Tied to Gulf
US "energy dominance" was a slogan that doesn't fit reality Global energy markets—and the structure of oil flows—bind the U.S. to the Gulf. The U.S. can’t walk away from Hormuz—even if it wants to. https://t.co/K7rntZRxBf #Oil #EnergyCrisis #Geopolitics #Hormuz