Today's Supply Chain Pulse
Logistics volatility declared permanent in 2026 State of Logistics Report
The report finds supply‑chain volatility now a permanent condition, with U.S. logistics costs falling to $2.4 trillion, or 7.8% of GDP, down from $2.6 trillion in 2025. Five structural forces—uneven global growth, tighter financial conditions, geoeconomic realignment, labor constraints, and energy price swings—drive the new normal, while AI and automation reshape operations.
Also developing:
By the numbers: US IDFC partners with Chubb on $20B maritime reinsurance plan
The Risks of Autonomous Vehicle Self-Certification in Freight
The article warns that allowing autonomous‑vehicle (AV) manufacturers to self‑certify their freight trucks could bypass critical safety oversight that human drivers currently undergo. It highlights the stark contrast between mandatory medical exams for Class 7/8 drivers and the proposed lack of third‑party validation for AVs. The piece cites software‑related recalls and over‑the‑air updates as evidence that AV systems are not infallible. Ultimately, it questions whether self‑certification will lead to outdated, unchecked standards and potential liability issues for the industry.
How to Vet Trucking Fleet Vendors
The article outlines a structured approach for trucking companies to vet fleet vendors, emphasizing criteria beyond price such as experience, financial stability, and service‑level agreements. It advises firms to define their needs, issue RFPs, score proposals on expertise, cost and...
MODEX 2026: Raymond to Demonstrate How It ‘Drives the Rhythm of the Warehouse’
Raymond Corporation will use MODEX 2026 to demonstrate its "Rhythm of the Warehouse" strategy, featuring new lift trucks, electric forklifts, and integrated iWAREHOUSE technologies. The company will host ten‑minute "Material Handling Moments" sessions that tackle challenges such as operator consistency,...
Paul Krugman Smacks Down Trump Speech with Argument that $4 Gas Is ‘Less than Half’ of the Hormuz Hit. Here’s...
President Trump told the nation the United States does not rely on the Strait of Hormuz for oil, trying to calm markets after his ambiguous pledge to hit Iran hard. Nobel economist Paul Krugman countered that gasoline represents less than...
Q&A: Jett McCandless, Founder and CEO, Project44
Project44’s CEO Jett McCandless highlighted that multi‑year agreements now represent 73% of the company’s annual recurring revenue, reflecting heightened market confidence in its platform. He detailed the Decision Intelligence Platform, which layers AI‑driven visibility, predictive analytics, and automated execution across...
Optical Terminals Still a Bottleneck in Pentagon’s Proliferated Constellation
On Oct. 15, Lockheed Martin launched 21 Space Development Agency Tracking Layer Tranche 1 satellites, each carrying three laser communication terminals (OCTs) instead of the planned four due to a supply shortfall. Tesat‑Spacecom delivered 42 terminals while CACI supplied only 21,...
Rubio Raises Concerns over China’s Detention of Panama-Flagged Ships
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that China’s heightened inspections of Panama‑flagged vessels pose a serious threat to global trade. He said the detentions and delays undermine the rule of law in Panama and destabilize supply chains. The United...
In-Orbit Logistics Companies Call for Clearer Demand Signals From Gov
Industry leaders at a SATShow Week panel warned that demand for in‑orbit inspection, repair, refueling and de‑orbit services will surge over the next five to ten years as Low‑Earth Orbit becomes increasingly congested. The Space Development Agency (SDA) highlighted a...
Administration Adjusts Metals Tariffs
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation revising the 2025 steel, aluminum and copper tariffs. Derivative products containing less than 15% metal are now duty‑free, while those above that threshold see the rate drop from 50% to 25% and are assessed...
The Next Global Food Crisis Has Already Begun
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran has choked a key maritime route for fertilizer shipments, pushing nitrogen and phosphate prices up 20‑40 percent. Rising transport costs and insurance premiums are forcing farmers in...
Nexperia’s China Unit ‘Nears Fully Local Production’ of Chips
Nexperia’s China unit is close to achieving full local chip production, having shifted from European wafer imports after Dutch restrictions. The plant in Dongguan and a new wafer fab in Shanghai are operating at 60‑70% capacity and aim to reach...
Western-Insured Tankers Continue to Load Urals Crude
Western‑insured, primarily Greek‑owned, tankers are still loading Russia's Urals crude at Black Sea and Baltic ports. The FOB price of the blend has risen to roughly $100 per barrel, more than twice the EU price‑cap of $44.10. Despite heightened sanctions,...
India Inc Seeks Export Ban on Key Inputs, QCO Relief
Industry bodies, led by FICCI, have asked the Indian government to impose a temporary export ban on critical raw materials such as sulphur and non‑essential helium, while also relaxing Quality Control Orders to ease sourcing for SMEs. They propose fast‑track...
Iraq Inks Contract to Export 50,000 B/D of Crude via Syria
Iraqi state marketer Somo has signed a contract to export 50,000 barrels per day of crude oil by truck through Syria to the Mediterranean, marking the first such shipment. The route will deliver the oil onward to European customers, offering...
Veteran PRPA, Fairview Terminal Executive to Lead Prince Rupert Port
Kurt Slocombe has been promoted to president and chief executive officer of the Prince Rupert Port Authority. He joined PRPA in 2019 as vice‑president of operations, planning and infrastructure, after earlier managing the Fairview Container Terminal since 2007. As head...
C-Hawk Expands Southeast Asia Manufacturing Capabilities and Capacity with New Malaysia and Vietnam Facilities
C-Hawk Technology announced the opening of two new manufacturing facilities in Southeast Asia—a 200,000‑square‑foot plant in Johor Baru, Malaysia, and a 96,000‑square‑foot site in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The Malaysian location expands precision‑plastic production and adds PFA tube‑bending, while the Vietnamese factory...
SSL Announces Opening of Monon Corridor Service; Noland Retires as President (UPDATED, 4/2)
The South Shore Line (SSL) launched an 8‑mile Monon Corridor extension on March 31, 2026, adding three new stations between North Hammond and the Munster/Dyer border. The $945 million design‑build project, supported by a $355 million Federal Transit Administration grant, includes expanded parking, a...
As Oil Shortages Deepen, Wartime Rationing Offers a Guide for Today’s Governments
The U.S.-Iran conflict has shut the Strait of Hormuz, cutting roughly eight million barrels of oil per day—about eight percent of global demand—and driving prices sharply higher. In response, the Philippines, South Sudan and Mauritius have declared emergencies or begun...
Steam Deck 2 Ditches Semi-Custom APU for Off-the-Shelf AMD Silicon, Eyes 2028 Launch
Valve is planning a second‑generation Steam Deck for a 2028 release, according to leaker KeplerL2. The new handheld will abandon the semi‑custom AMD APU used in the original and instead adopt an off‑the‑shelf AMD processor that requires no bespoke tuning....
![[NEW] Cliff Note #138: An Aerospace Supplier with a Decade of Aircraft Backlogs and a Generational Defence Spending Surge](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vD14!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F063eafec-fa90-4003-8987-7401ddb62ff2_512x512.png)
[NEW] Cliff Note #138: An Aerospace Supplier with a Decade of Aircraft Backlogs and a Generational Defence Spending Surge
A leading aerospace parts supplier that serves Boeing, Airbus and major defense primes is riding a dual tailwind of a ten‑year, roughly 15,000‑aircraft backlog and a resurgence in global defence spending as NATO allies pledge 3.5% of GDP. Gross margins...
Williams-Sonoma Isn’t Planning for Tariff Refunds Anytime Soon
Williams‑Sonoma will not factor potential tariff refunds into its fiscal 2026 outlook, despite U.S. Customs developing a system to return duties from the invalidated Trump‑era levies. The retailer’s CFO said guidance assumes existing tariff rates will stay in place or...
Energy Markets Are Tightening. The Supply Chain Impact Is Uneven.
Energy markets are tightening, but the impact on supply chains is uneven and delayed. Transportation contracts, surcharges, and caps cause cost pass‑through to lag weeks or months, while energy‑intensive manufacturers feel pressure immediately. The staggered transmission creates a patchwork of...
BeyondTrucks Deploys AI Agents to Customize Freight Rates
BeyondTrucks unveiled RateAgents, a suite of AI‑driven agents that let carriers set freight rates using plain‑language commands, beginning with a fuel‑surcharge specialist. The technology converts natural language into executable code, sidestepping cumbersome rate tables and costly, inflexible transportation‑management systems. Carriers...
Smaller “Shallow-Bay” Warehouse Space Sees Rising Demand
Demand for shallow‑bay industrial space—buildings under 50,000 square feet with 14‑28 foot clear heights—is accelerating as service‑oriented users and last‑mile distributors seek smaller formats. Vacancy rates for these properties fell 2.5 percentage points below the overall industrial average by early...
CMA CGM Introduces PSS for Shipments From China to West Africa
CMA CGM will impose a $500 per TEU Peak Season Surcharge on shipments from China to West Africa beginning April 6, 2026. The fee applies to all cargo types on short‑term contracts and remains in effect until further notice. The...
Smaller “Shallow-Bay” Warehouse Space Sees Rising Demand
Demand for shallow‑bay industrial space—buildings under 50,000 sq ft with 14‑28 ft clear heights—is accelerating as service‑oriented and last‑mile users seek smaller formats. Vacancy rates for these properties have fallen below the broader industrial average, creating a tight market where rents have risen...
How To Break Up With China
The article outlines a strategic playbook for U.S. firms seeking to reduce dependence on Chinese manufacturing and market exposure. It highlights three core steps: mapping critical supply‑chain nodes, building alternative sourcing hubs in Southeast Asia and Mexico, and renegotiating contracts...
Strait of Hormuz Closure Pushes Asia-US Ocean Rates up 29%
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has triggered a sharp rise in ocean freight rates on major east‑west lanes. Spot rates from the Far East to the U.S. West Coast jumped 29% since the end of February, while routes...
IMTS 2026 Showcases Foundational Technologies, Enabling Manufacturers To Achieve More, Capitalize on Opportunities
The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) returns Sept. 14‑19, 2026 in Chicago, featuring over 1,800 exhibitors across 1.2 million square feet. Attendees representing the $2.95 trillion U.S. manufacturing sector will see new multitasking, hybrid, and 5‑axis machining centers from leaders like Okuma, Index,...
Trump Tariffs Cast Shadow as US-China Trade Shrinks Ahead of Xi Meeting
U.S. trade data released Thursday shows direct commerce with China continuing to shrink, reaching one of the lowest bilateral goods deficits in two decades. The decline follows last year’s tariff escalations, which have deepened economic tensions between the two powers....
Overbidding to Lose Business Can Unexpectedly Boost Volumes
Hearing that RFP season is chaotic for shippers. A mega fleet CEO told me that they wanted to get rid of a block of business that didn’t fit their network, so they bid 30% higher than the market rate, expecting...
21 Air Eyes Larger Boeing 777s to Access Long-Haul Cargo Market
21 Air, the mid‑size cargo carrier that serves DHL Express and Amazon, is preparing to add Boeing 777 freighters to its fleet to tap the long‑haul international market. Owner Jim Crane has installed former Crane Worldwide Logistics chief Keith Winters...
A Long-Needed Database For Filament Management
3D Filament Profiles launched a massive online database cataloguing nearly 24,000 filament options from over 900 manufacturers, positioning it as the largest collection globally. The platform lets users add filaments to personal portfolios, search by RGB hex code, and generate...
UK Convenes 40‑nation Summit to Chart Path for Reopening Strait of Hormuz
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper chaired a video conference of more than 40 nations to devise diplomatic and security steps for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which carries 20% of global oil and LNG. The meeting comes as oil prices...
Biodexa Pharma Shares Surge 69% After Partnering with Syngene to Produce MTX240
Biodexa Pharmaceuticals saw its Nasdaq‑listed shares climb 69% after revealing a partnership with Syngene International to manufacture the active pharmaceutical ingredient and dosage form of its MTX240 candidate. The deal paves the way for an IND filing and a Phase...
Containers Fall Into Kaohsiung Waters as ONE-Operated Ship Scrapes Feeder Vessel
Four containers fell into the waters of Taiwan’s Kaohsiung port after a large container ship operated by Ocean Network Express (ONE) collided with a stationary feeder vessel at Pier 77 on April 1 around noon. The impact caused the containers to slip...
Scaling Security and Speed in Pharmaceutical Cold Chain Delivery at the Last Mile
Consumer expectations have shifted to hour‑level delivery, prompting big‑box retailers to add pharmaceutical cold‑chain shipments to their last‑mile services. This introduces stringent temperature, security, and compliance requirements that differ sharply from general‑merchandise fulfillment. Companies must blend rapid order processing with...
SONAR Thrives with Deep Logistics Analytics Amid Market Squeeze
In markets like this one, companies understand the value of high frequency market analysis, backed by the deepest team of market experts in logistics. Alternative data platforms are failing clients in a tightening market. This is why SONAR just had...
Trump’s Absurd Oil Advice Reveals Twisted Pretzel Logic
Trump's "advice" to nations that are suffering from the US-Israeli war of choice that closed the Strait of Hormuz: "Build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait and just take [the oil]. Iran has been decimated... so it should...
Triumph Foods Readies for $30 Million Expansion in Missouri
Triumph Foods announced a $30 million expansion of its St. Joseph pork processing plant, boosting cold‑storage and shipping capacity. The project will install new equipment and machinery, reinforcing the company’s 20‑year presence in Missouri. Triumph, the city’s second‑largest employer with over...
US Blames China for Harassing Panama‑Flagged Ships
The US accused China of harassing and detaining #Panama-flagged ships after the Central American nation struck down contracts with a Hong Kong conglomerate operating ports on both sides of the Panama Canal. https://t.co/l49JKUezz4
Retail Diesel Rises, but Less Sharply than WTI
WTI is important for diesel pricing, but retail diesel is set on on ULSD heating oil contract traded n NYMEX, which already saw these levels over last 10 days. Retail diesel will move up in price, but nearly as dramatic...
Amtrak, Union Pacific Settle Sunset Limited Dispute (Updated April 2, 2026)
Amtrak and Union Pacific announced a settlement on April 1, 2026 that ends the Surface Transportation Board’s investigation into the Sunset Limited’s chronic on‑time performance problems. The deal grants Amtrak a five‑mile stretch of UP‑owned track near Avondale, Louisiana, allowing...
Enforced $50K Penalty Could Deter Hiring Revoked CDLs
The $50k employer penalty for hiring revoked CDLs is a big deterrent, assuming it gets enforced https://t.co/z0Mw4dFKAt
Tech Giants Wield Supply Chains to Crush Competition
Not just Apple making it hard on competition via supply chain power, but NVIDIA and Broadcom also. I outlined all this in my Master of the Supply Chain report. https://t.co/9ZCdGgQZVs
India Pushes PNG Expansion to 30 Lakh Connections Amid West Asia Crisis
India is accelerating its piped natural gas (PNG) rollout, targeting 30 lakh new connections across more than 150 high‑priority districts as West Asia tensions strain LPG supplies. The ministries of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs convened a...
Iran's Strait Fees Threaten Global Shipping Costs
Iran. Will impose fees for using the Strait. How long will the fees last? Financial impact for all the affected shippers/receivers for the different vessel and end use markets? Will some supply chains collapse?
Trump’s Tariffs Echo Nixon, Yet Turn Grimmer
Trump’s protectionist Nixon redux takes a darker turn than the original This is truly the outstanding column on the anniversary of Trump's April Fools' Liberation Day Tariffs. Must read by Alan Beattie in @financialtimes https://t.co/tQg3yTTDU5
Tailor Inventory: Stock More High‑Volume, Trim Slow‑Movers
Managing inventory isn't one-size-fits-all. Tailor your strategy: keep more of high-volume or critical items, less of slow-moving ones. Optimize with warehouse management software to hit your goals. #InventoryManagement #SupplyChain https://t.co/w83bAQ8Ayd
AI Reshapes Competition; Infrastructure, Power, Talent Limit Entrants
AI isn’t just enabling global trade, it may be reshaping who gets to compete. Infrastructure, power, and talent are the real constraints. New podcast episode: https://t.co/tKNDnOb8bQ https://t.co/eX3Ua07F1E