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
Inside Modex 2026: Learning, Networking and the Show Floor
Modex 2026 brings together supply‑chain and logistics professionals for a comprehensive mix of education, networking, and product showcases. The event features keynote sessions and seminars on robotics, artificial intelligence, workforce strategy, and sustainability, delivering actionable insights. New social hubs—the Modex Backyard and Peachtree Social—provide relaxed spaces for relationship building. Enhanced registration, wayfinding, a shuttle network, and a refreshed mobile app streamline the attendee experience at the Georgia World Congress Center.
Niantic Turns Pokémon GO Data Into AI Gold
The guys behind Pokémon GO just pulled off the greatest pivot in tech. Shaan and I chatted about this on the pod recently. For years, millions of players walked around cities capturing street-level video data. Now the game's hype is gone. But Niantic is...
EVST Expands Industrial Automation Delivery with Engineer Dispatch and AI Workflow Support
China‑based industrial robotics firm EVST announced an expanded delivery model that includes engineer dispatch services and selected AI workflow support for global manufacturing projects. The new offering bundles on‑site and remote technical personnel—ranging from PLC and mechanical engineers to algorithm...
Why Sysco Could Ultimately Regret the Restaurant Depot Deal
Sysco announced the purchase of Restaurant Depot, a cash‑and‑carry wholesaler, aiming to broaden its service model beyond traditional food‑service distribution. The deal mirrors US Foods' 2020 foray into cash‑and‑carry, which it now plans to sell after four years. Analysts warn...
Eurasian Cargo Hub Expands to Capture Europe-Asia Freight Flows
Navoi International Airport in Uzbekistan is adding a 16,000 m² cargo terminal, expanding fuel storage to 15,000 tonnes, and introducing a duty‑free porto‑franco customs regime. The upgrades aim to streamline Europe‑Asia freight by integrating air, rail, and road networks and offering specialized...
TSMC to Bring 3nm Production to Second Japan Fab by 2028
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) will equip its second Japanese fab for 3 nm production starting in 2028, targeting a monthly output of roughly 15,000 12‑inch wafers. The plant joins an existing Japanese facility that began mass production in late 2024,...
Oil’s New Arms Race: Efficiency, Geopolitics, and the Rise of Industrial 3D Printing
Oil and gas firms are turning to industrial 3D printing to cut lead times, lower inventories, and boost resilience amid price pressure, geopolitical shifts, and supply‑chain bottlenecks. Companies such as Petrobras, SLB, and Baker Hughes have built dedicated additive‑manufacturing labs...
A Potential Game-Changer: Three Tankers Navigate Hormuz Along Oman’s Coastline
On April 2, three Omani‑flagged tankers—two crude carriers and one LNG vessel—transited the Strait of Hormuz along Oman’s coastline. The ships completed the passage without incident and are now safely docked in Omani ports, as confirmed by Kpler satellite maps. This...
Hapag-Lloyd Adjusts MSW Service
Hapag-Lloyd has revised its Mediterranean‑to‑South‑West (MSW) service rotation, adding a direct call at Callao, Peru, and moving Colombia’s Buenaventura to a transshipment model. The updated loop now runs Vigo‑Malaga‑Valencia‑Genoa‑Leghorn‑Barcelona‑Caucedo‑Cartagena‑Callao‑Paita‑Posorja‑Guayaquil‑Cristobal‑Moin‑Cartagena‑Vigo. The change aims to improve port coverage and operational efficiency across...
Tungsten Supply Risks Mount as China Controls Exports, Japan Cuts WF6 Output
The semiconductor industry is confronting a new supply bottleneck as China tightens export controls on tungsten, the raw material for tungsten hexafluoride (WF6) gas. Japanese WF6 producers, responsible for roughly 25% of global output, plan to cut production in the...
Predicted Air Defence Spending Boom Opens Doors to Indian Industry
Global air‑defence spending is projected to jump $400‑500 billion over the next five years, spurred by heightened threat perceptions after Iran's recent drone and missile attacks. Bloomberg Intelligence warns that nations are scrambling to fill gaps in low‑cost layered defence systems...
Iran War and $109 Oil Price Spike Threaten March Payrolls, Raising Hiring Outlook Concerns
U.S. labor market expectations are being clouded by the Iran‑Israel conflict, which has pushed Brent crude to about $109 a barrel and prompted a $200 billion supplemental war funding request. Analysts warn the higher energy costs could dampen hiring momentum ahead...
Iranian Crude Tanker Reroutes to China, Highlighting Shifts in Global Oil Supply Chain
The Eswatini‑flagged tanker Ping Shun, loaded with Iranian crude, abandoned its planned berth at India's Vadinar port and signaled a new destination of Dongying, China. The sudden change, tracked by maritime data services, reflects mounting geopolitical pressure on Iran and a...
Okeanis Eco Tankers: Geopolitical
Okeanis Eco Tankers ($OET) is now a geopolitical play. Strong fleet & finances, but its boom hinges on Red Sea disruptions extending voyages. A top-tier bet on volatile trade routes. shipping
U.S. Accelerates Critical Minerals Drive Amid China’s Dominance
Senators and the Department of Energy are rolling out a legislative package and funding initiatives aimed at slashing U.S. reliance on China for critical minerals. The plan couples new “strategic resilience” legislation with fast‑tracked domestic projects such as Lithium Americas’...
Retail Diesel up Slightly While Wholesale Prices Decline
Despite the surge in oil prices on Thursday, retail diesel only went up $.06/gallon overnight to $5.48/gallon. This will cost truckers $.01/mile more for fuel. Interestingly, the rack price (wholesale price for diesel) has actually dropped over the past ten...
Canada Has the Antidote to Asia’s Energy Anxiety
The article argues that Canada’s Alberta province can serve as a stable, abundant oil source for energy‑hungry Asian markets amid heightened Middle‑East supply risks. While Alberta holds the world’s third‑largest proven oil reserves and ample natural‑gas and electricity for liquefaction,...
Okeanis Eco Tankers: Stronger Fundamentals, But Now A Geopolitical Trade
Okeanis Eco Tankers (ECO) has transitioned from a cheap cyclical play to a geopolitically‑driven investment, now trading at a notable premium. Its heavy spot‑market exposure lets it capture rapid gains when tanker rates surge, but also makes earnings volatile amid...
SITC Adjusts Multiple Services
SITC has overhauled three regional services to sharpen its Asia trade focus. The CPX4 loop now runs exclusively between China and the Philippines, dropping all Japanese and North Philippine ports and adding Xiamen and Cagayan de Oro. A new S7...
Iran War Drives Oil Prices 59% Higher, Fuels Stagflation Fears
Brent crude has surged roughly 59% since March, breaching the $100‑$120 per barrel range as the Iran war disrupts the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts warn that sustained prices near $140 a barrel could push the world into a mild recession...
Which European Countries' Ships Are Most Hit by the Hormuz Crisis?
The Hormuz crisis has stranded roughly 670 cargo vessels, with Greece most affected—about 75 ships (12% of the total). The United Arab Emirates follows, accounting for 120 vessels (18%), while Chinese operators have 74 ships in the chokepoint. Around 50...
Winning 2026: The CPO 45-Second Briefing – “The Low-Grade Fever: Persistent Inflation”
Andrew Bartolini, founder of Ardent Partners, has launched a new 45‑second video series titled “Procurement 2026: Big Trends and Predictions.” The inaugural episode, “The Low‑Grade Fever: Persistent Inflation,” warns that inflation will remain modest yet enduring, pressuring cost structures across supply...
Amazon Is Betting on Speed in a Market that May Not Need It
Amazon began testing a 30‑minute delivery service in select U.S. cities, expanding its one‑ and three‑hour options and echoing ultra‑fast pilots in India and the UAE. Quick‑commerce thrives in China’s $125 billion market but has struggled in Western economies, where funding...
PMI Builds Commerce Engine to Glean Customer Insights
Philip Morris International (PMI) has launched an omnichannel commerce engine in South Africa to reach informal‑market retailers that account for up to 75% of counterfeit tobacco sales. The solution uses USSD short‑codes on feature phones, multi‑language support, and low‑cost scooter...
U.S. Army to Buy 606 ISV-H Vehicles for Mobile Brigades
The U.S. Army has launched a fast‑track competition to acquire 606 Infantry Squad Vehicle‑Heavy (ISV‑H) units for Mobile Brigade Combat Teams. The vehicles must transport a six‑soldier squad, tow up to 6,500 lb, and generate up to 60 kW of exportable power...
Middle East War Will Raise Your Milk Price
The milk in your fridge this week may cost more next month. Not because of the dairy farm. Because of a war in the Middle East that nobody told you would reach this far.
Hormuz Blockade Driving a Gulf Logistics Revolution
Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz forced Gulf states to fast‑track a network of alternative logistics corridors, including the Oman‑UAE Green Corridor, a Saudi‑UAE trade bridge, and the Gulf Shuttle maritime service. New ultra‑heavy‑lift cranes, expanded rail capacity and...
Amazon Discloses 3.5% Fuel & Logistics-Related Surcharge
Amazon announced a 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge on its marketplace orders, aimed at offsetting rising diesel and transportation expenses. The fee will be applied automatically at checkout and affects both direct‑to‑consumer sales and third‑party sellers. The move follows a...
EU Approves €500M Luxembourg Cleantech Manufacturing Scheme
The European Commission has approved a €500 million Luxembourg state‑aid scheme under the Clean Industrial Deal State Aid Framework (CISAF). The programme will fund direct grants for companies expanding production of solar, wind, heat‑pump, battery equipment and related raw‑material processing. Running...
Maersk Uses SAP on Azure to Cut Costs and Enable AI-Driven Logistics
Maersk migrated its SAP landscape to Microsoft Azure, replatforming 500 legacy servers and achieving near‑100% uptime with zero incidents. The cloud move transforms SAP from a static record system into a real‑time platform that supports AI‑driven logistics, predictive analytics, and...
Simplicity Wins: Minimalist Robots Redefine Warehouse Automation
Less = more? A new “no-maneuvering” class of autonomous robots is redefining pallet transportation. That idea is starting to show up in real operations. What stands out to me is the design philosophy. No complex turning. No wasted space. Just precise, omnidirectional movement. A compact system...
CMA‑CGM Ship Exits Strait Amid Lapsed Insurance, China Questioned
CMA-CGM container ship comes out of the Strait. How are ships that are moving out of the Strait when insurance coverage has stopped? Is Iran’s ally, China, helping here?
DFDS Orders Six Electric Terminal Tractors From MOL and Volvo Penta
DFDS, the Danish logistics operator, has placed an order for six battery‑electric terminal tractors from MOL and Volvo Penta, marking the next step in its plan to replace its 280 diesel‑powered units. The new MOL RME225 models carry 270 kWh of battery capacity,...
China Challenges Iran at UN over Hormuz Closure
China, Europe and why Beijing took a swing at Iran over the Strait of Hormuz Beijing takes a stand at the United Nations at the closure of shipping lanes Despite all the blather about how China benefits from the conflict... https://t.co/dhDbWjo4ip via...
Weekly Reverse News Launches with Hourly Supply Chain Updates
The weekly Reverse News is out - https://t.co/p3blA1VyyJ While you're on the LTI website, check out more supply chain news updated hourly by Google. If you dig what you're reading, a cup of coffee is always welcomed. 😉 https://t.co/LjdVovaCMg
North-South Corridor Functioning Helped by Russian-Azerbaijani Thaw: Suspicion Mounts that Russia Is Using the Route to Ship Arms to Iran
Relations between Russia and Azerbaijan warmed dramatically after a March 2 meeting in Baku, smoothing the western branch of the International North‑South Transport Corridor. The thaw has allowed the route to remain operational despite the U.S.–Israeli aerial campaign against Iran,...
Europe's Gas Price Surge Makes Hormuz Intervention Urgent
Whatever objections Europe has to helping open up the Strait of Hormuz, it's a matter of urgent self-interest to help sort this situation out. On a similar time scale to 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine, European natural gas prices are...
Hidden Costs Turn $100 iPhone Into $130
Understanding total landed costs is crucial for your supply chain and product pricing. For example, an iPhone costing $100 from China might actually be $130 after adding freight, customs, and international trade costs. #SupplyChain #Logistics https://t.co/2QyEIxMBmx
Splash Wrap: Hormuz Bells Are Ringing
Iran’s parliament approved a formal toll and access regime for the Strait of Hormuz, signalling a new revenue stream and heightened navigation controls amid the ongoing US‑Israeli conflict. Satellite images confirmed severe damage to Russia’s key Baltic energy‑export ports after...
Full Hormuz Oil Replacement Unrealistic, 10‑
Ideas Dinner Manhattan: Strait of Hormuz, how to replace 21M bpd oil?? Existing bypass pipelines (Saudi 7M + UAE 1.8M) cover 40-45%. Full replacement? 10–20+ yrs, $40B+, geopolitically brutal, not realistic. Next 5 yrs: expansions might hit 55–65% max. https://t.co/eTeUaAMFgS
Iran Controls Hormuz Shipping, Still Allows Limited Passage
Despite the ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf, shipping in the Strait of Hormuz remains open...sort of. The Iranians have taken control, requiring ships to get clearance for safe passage. Full Newsletter: https://t.co/lLVFB8CxL5 https://t.co/WldUQaXc3Y
Lila Global’s VLCC Bet Pays Off with 55% Asset Value Surge in Months
Lila Global’s ship‑owning arm has turned a distressed VLCC purchase into a rapid profit, buying the 299,000‑dwt Cosgrand Lake for roughly $35 million and re‑branding it Lila Jamnagar. Within a few months the vessel’s valuation jumped to $54.38 million, a 55 % increase, according...
US Asia Imports Drop in February Amid AI Surge
US imports from Asia fell in February despite rising AI buildout demand https://t.co/Hg52XqzW8J via @NikkeiAsia
The Middle East’s Butterfly Effect on the Global Economy
Gulf sovereign wealth funds now control roughly $4.9 trillion and are projected to exceed $7 trillion by 2030, making the region a top global capital allocator. Recent tensions in the Strait of Hormuz cut oil shipments, sending crude above $100 a barrel...
FS Group Freight Branch Records Near €100 Mln Net Loss in 2025
FS Group’s freight division posted a net loss of about $106 million in 2025, an improvement from the $136 million loss recorded in 2024. Freight volumes slipped, with tonne‑kilometres down 3.8% to 22.0 billion and train‑kilometres falling 5.1% to 46 million. EBITDA turned positive...
Safety First: China Liquid Transport Controls, Cyberattacks and More
China has introduced stricter transport regulations for edible oils, alcohol and syrups after a PR crisis, while the food‑and‑beverage sector faces rising cyber‑threats that could cripple operations. Regulators across APAC are tightening scrutiny of e‑commerce product claims, prompting brands to...
The Energy Transition Has Its Own Strait of Hormuz
The clean‑energy transition is reshaping global energy chokepoints, moving vulnerability from oil‑laden sea lanes to the supply chains of critical minerals. Recent crises, such as the Iran war, have highlighted how dependent nations are on these new bottlenecks in refining,...
Zhonggu Logistics Backs Wuhan Qingshan Restart with 10-Ship Order
China's Zhonggu Logistics has placed an order for ten 1,800‑TEU feeder containerships with Wuhan Qingshan Shipyard, committing up to $392 million. Deliveries are scheduled for 2028‑2029, marking the yard’s return to new‑building after a 2018 pause. The contract adds to Zhonggu’s...
IC to Electric: 90% Fuel Savings, Lower Maintenance, and Smarter Forklift Decisions
In this episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin Lawton talks with Martin Boyd, CMO of Big Joe, about the rapid electrification of forklift fleets. Boyd explains how Big Joe’s fully integrated lithium‑ion batteries eliminate the drawbacks of lead‑acid and internal‑combustion (IC)...
Hyundai Motor Flags Export Disruptions as West Asia Conflict Hits Shipping
Hyundai Motor warned that its exports to Europe and North Africa are being disrupted as the West Asia conflict blocks key shipping routes. The blockage has driven up freight costs, forced cargo diversions, and pressured parts suppliers with raw‑material constraints....