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
Rolls-Royce SMR, Studsvik Sign MoU to Boost SMR Supply Chain
Rolls‑Royce SMR and Swedish nuclear services firm Studsvik have signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation across Studsvik’s full suite of nuclear services for small modular reactors. The MoU will evaluate Studsvik’s capabilities in fuel qualification, plant life management, hot‑cell technology, core design and regulatory licensing to support future deployment of Rolls‑Royce’s factory‑built SMR plants. The partnership is positioned to strengthen the European supply chain and accelerate Rolls‑Royce SMR’s rollout in the UK, Nordics and broader Europe, complementing its recent wins with Great British Energy, Czech utility ČEZ and Vattenfall’s selection process.
Agibot Reaches 10,000 Humanoid Units Built as Real-World Demand for Robots Accelerates
Agibot announced the production of its 10,000th humanoid robot, a milestone that underscores a rapid shift from niche pilots to large‑scale commercial deployment. The company accelerated production from 5,000 to 10,000 units in just three months, a four‑fold speed increase...
NAFFIC, AWARE Claim First China-EU DPP for Textiles
Mandatory digital product passports (DPPs) will be required for all textile products sold in the EU from 2027, and NAFFIC and AWARE have launched the first China‑EU compliant DPP for a recycled‑polyester garment. The passport records every step—from post‑consumer plastic...
Lufthansa Cargo Increases Delhi and Transpac Flying for the Summer
Lufthansa Cargo unveiled its summer freighter schedule, adding a second weekly transpacific flight from Ho Chi Minh via Shanghai to Los Angeles and reinstating a weekly service to Delhi, bringing Indian connections to six per week. The carrier also boosted its North American...
Coop Electrifies Logistics in Sweden’s Uppland Region
Coop is converting its Uppland regional grocery logistics to fully electric vehicles, covering 23 stores and roughly 659,000 kilometres of routes each year. Partnering with Swedish tech firm Einride, the transition aims for completion by the first half of 2026....
Process Begins for Sale of Rail Logistics Europe Stake
SNCF is advancing the sale of up to 49 % of Rail Logistics Europe (RLE), valued at roughly €800 million (about $860 million), with Lazard and Indosuez handling the process. The stake covers six freight subsidiaries and is slated for completion by 2027....
AI Outage and Middle East Tensions Ripple Through U.S. Supply Chains
A 7‑hour outage of China's DeepSeek AI chatbot and escalating US‑Iran tensions are prompting U.S. logistics firms to reassess digital tools and freight flows, as airports grapple with operational slowdowns. The twin shocks highlight vulnerabilities in AI‑driven supply‑chain platforms and...
Congress Targets Tax Relief for Rare Earths as China Tightens Export Controls
U.S. lawmakers have introduced the Critical Minerals Investment Tax Modernization Act, which would lift the depletion allowance for domestically mined rare earth elements and scandium from 14% to 22%. The move is a direct response to Beijing’s April 2025 export...
Lockheed Martin to Quadruple Precision Strike Missile Output Under New DoD Production Plan
Lockheed Martin announced it will increase annual production of its Precision Strike Missile (PSM) from roughly 150 units to more than 600 per year under a newly approved Department of Defense framework. The move, driven by heightened demand for high‑speed,...
RAMageddon Triggers $150 PS5 Price Hike and Industry‑Wide Chip Shortage
Sony announced a $150 price increase for its PS5 Pro console as AI‑driven demand for DRAM pushes memory chip costs up 80‑90%. Industry leaders warn the resulting "RAMageddon" could cripple product timelines through 2028.
Jet Fuel Prices Double, Asian Markets Hit Hard
JET FUEL prices have more than doubled since the onset of the war between the United States, Israel and Iran. Jet fuel swaps in Singapore are trading at more than $200 per barrel up from just over $90 before the...
Brace Yourselves. A Recession Is Coming.
The author warns that a new recession is looming as U.S. support for Israel escalates tensions in the Middle East. In retaliation, Iran and allied groups could choke oil shipments through the Persian Gulf, tightening global energy markets. The resulting...
South Asia’s Energy‑Import Dependence Heightens Risk as Oil Hits $200
S&P Global Ratings flagged Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka as the most exposed South Asian economies to soaring oil prices that have surged toward $200 a barrel. The warning comes as the region grapples with fuel‑rationing measures, soaring inflation and...
Middle East Conflict Tightens Global Oil Markets, Raising Supply‑Risk Concerns
Rising hostilities in the Middle East have constricted crude oil and LNG flows, prompting analysts to warn of tighter supplies and higher prices. Airlines and downstream users face inventory stress as the conflict threatens key shipping lanes, while commodity traders...
Asia May Shift to Coal, Accelerate Renewables, Cut Gas
“If you’re sitting in Asia, going through this again, it’s possible you change your strategy long term — rely more on coal for longer, build out your renewables faster and reduce your exposure to natural gas.” https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-03-29/iran-war-s-gas-supply-shock-pushes-top-consumers-back-to-coal
Slovenia’s Success: The Divača–Koper Double-Track Line
On March 11, 2026 a Flirt test train successfully traversed Slovenia’s new 27.7‑km Divača–Koper double‑track line, proving the route’s operational readiness. The line, 75 % of which runs through tunnels—including a 6.7‑km longest tunnel—replaces the single‑track bottleneck and cuts the Divača‑Koper...
Operator Wanted for Key Mixed Gauge Terminal in Spanish Basque Countries
Spain’s infrastructure manager Adif is seeking a six‑year operator for the Jundiz Intermodal Terminal, the country’s first facility on the TEN‑T Atlantic Corridor with standard gauge. The minimum bid is about €1.4 million (≈$1.5 million), with a possible extension of up to...
New Mangalore Port Set to Receive Iranian LPG Consignment
New Mangalore Port will receive the Aurora tanker carrying Iranian LPG, marking India’s first post‑sanctions import from Tehran. The cargo, slated for Confidence Petroleum, follows a temporary U.S. suspension of sanctions on Iranian petroleum exports. Additional LPG shipments from Hellas...
GXO Appointed to Support NHS England Bowel Cancer Screening
GXO Logistics has been selected by NHS England to manage the supply and distribution of home testing kits for the national bowel cancer screening programme, specifically the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT). The logistics firm will act as a managed service...
Smart Manufacturing Has an AI Problem — Just Not the One You Think
Manufacturers have rapidly embraced AI, with generative‑AI usage climbing from roughly 10% to over 60% of plants in just two years. While AI now predicts failures, optimizes schedules and forecasts demand, the real hurdle is that these models often operate...
Laude Smart Intermodal to Launch Regular Duisburg-Poland Connection in April
Laude Smart Intermodal will launch a regular intermodal service between Duisburg, Germany and southern‑central Poland in April, deploying its own Iveco truck fleet for last‑mile delivery. The dedicated fleet allows containers to carry up to 30 tonnes, roughly 25% more than...
The Drivers for Supply Chain Decarbonization Are Changing… But What Matters Is Impact
The push to decarbonize supply chains has shifted from values‑based pledges to cost‑saving and risk‑management imperatives. After a surge of actions in 2022‑23, Secaro data show completed decarbonization steps dropped 53% in 2025 as legislation tightened and companies demand clear...
Scaling the DRAM Wall: How Lenovo Is Supporting Startups During Global Memory Crunch
The AI boom has triggered a severe DRAM shortage, pushing conventional memory prices up 90% in early 2026 and straining startup budgets. Startups typically allocate 15‑25% of hardware spend to memory, and the scarcity is causing longer lead times and...
Italy and Hungary to Implement Customs Corridor
Italy and Hungary have signed an agreement to create a customs corridor that shifts all clearance procedures for cargo arriving at the port of Trieste onto Hungarian territory. The move aims to speed up processing, reduce paperwork and ease congestion...
Understanding The Physics And Prevention Of Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents occur when a tractor‑trailer’s tractor wheels lock while the trailer continues forward, causing the rig to fold into a V‑shaped obstruction. Improper braking, excessive speed, slippery road conditions, and poorly maintained anti‑lock braking systems are the primary triggers....
Air Cargo News Spring 2026
Air Cargo News released its Spring 2026 edition, spotlighting horse transport, the Indian market outlook, freighter sector performance, and e‑commerce logistics. The issue also features a special report on the IATA World Cargo Symposium, covering South America’s air‑freight trends, digitalisation, and...
Modular Warehouse Solutions That Adapt to Change
In this episode, host Kevin Lawton talks with Ben Hull, Director of Sales at Item (pronounced "EET-em"), about the company's modular T-slot aluminum extrusion system—often likened to industrial Legos—that lets warehouses and manufacturers quickly design and reconfigure workstations, carts, and...
EVs Were Meant to Bypass Oil. Now They’re Stuck at the Strait of Hormuz
Electric vehicles rely heavily on Gulf‑sourced aluminum, but the U.S.–Iran conflict has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, forcing major smelters in Bahrain and Qatar to cut or halt output. Toyota and Nissan have already trimmed production by roughly 40,000 units,...
The New Baseline
The ongoing war in Iran has morphed from a geopolitical flashpoint into a structural supply‑chain shock. Tehran’s continued control of the Strait of Hormuz, and the risk of spill‑over into the Bab al‑Mandeb, is tightening energy flows and inflating oil...
Greenland Resources Signs Molybdenum Supply Deal with ROGESA
Greenland Resources has signed a memorandum of understanding with ROGESA, the German steel joint venture of Dillinger and Saarstahl, to supply molybdenum products over the long term. The ore will be mined in Greenland and refined in Belgium to meet...
Al Taweelah Outage Threatens UAE Aluminium, Bauxite, Freight Markets
Al Taweelah smelter damage raises new risks for UAE aluminium supply, bauxite flows, and Gulf freight markets. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/al-taweelah-smelter-damage-raises-new.html
Mode 5 Services Drive Surge in Agricultural Exports
#tradeXpresso: new econometric evidence found that an increase in #Mode5Services increase agricultural exports: https://t.co/iXzkgkHHzs One day, multilateral trade rules could evolve to follow new business realities: https://t.co/oZ5tuJYjhk
Alstom to Deliver Belgrade’s First Metro Line
Alstom has secured a €915 million (≈$1 billion) contract to deliver Belgrade’s first fully automated metro line, Line 1, spanning 15 kilometres with 15 stations, 11 of which are underground. The turnkey deal includes 32 driverless Metropolis three‑car trains, Urbalis CBTC signalling, power supply,...
Strait Closure Will Trigger Oil Price Spike, Curb Consumption
“The world still hasn’t grasped the severity of the situation…If the strait stays closed, the world will have to significantly reduce its oil and gas consumption – but not before prices spike to a level that forces consumers and businesses...
Europe Faces Imminent Jet Fuel Shortage, Airlines Warned
Also - a serious jet fuel shortage is less than a week away across multiple different markets, including at some major European airport hubs - who are informing airlines to prepare for a potential ‘no-fuel available here’ scenario
How Milan Used the Olympic Games to Accelerate Investment in Transportation
Milan leveraged the 2026 Winter Olympics as a mobility stress test, accelerating public‑transport investments to ease road congestion and integrate northern Italian provinces into the European rail network. The city transformed the Porta Romana rail yard into an Olympic Village...
Stolen Kit Kats Reveal Widespread Cargo Crime
It’s going to take a load of stolen Kit Kats for people to realize how pervasive and common cargo crime is.
Catch My Early CNBC Interview on Freight Outlook
I will be on CNBC at 5:15 AM ET today. Talking about the state of freight. Tune in!
Rail Underpins eHGV Deployment Strategy
Maritime Transport has launched a nationwide fleet of electric heavy‑goods vehicles (eHGVs) in the UK, initially focusing on rail‑served depots in Wakefield and Birmingham. The strategy pairs zero‑emission trucks with existing rail freight to handle long‑haul legs, leaving short, predictable...
GCC Seeks Alternatives as Hormuz Bottleneck Persists
Plenty of analysis of the Gulf's two bypass pipelines - but as Hormuz remains near-shut, what more can the GCC do to avoid the Strait and narrow? https://t.co/6EwDOmaObS @TheNationalNews
War‑Driven Oil Shortage Forces Demand Destruction
COLUMN: Five weeks into the Third Gulf War, the math of oil-barrel counting is intractable: The world is short of the black stuff. Enter demand destruction. @Opinion https://t.co/Y2DPUcHM8s
Shippers to Bear Cost of Abandoned Cargo Under China’s Revised Maritime Law
Effective May 1, 2026, China’s revised Maritime Law overturns the long‑standing rule that consignees bear the cost of unclaimed cargo. Article 93 now assigns all port charges, demurrage, storage, disposal and legal fees to the contractual shipper—the party that booked the...
SmartRay Expands ECCO X Range with 3D Sensor for Reflective and Glass Surfaces
SmartRay has launched the ECCO X 050G, a new 3D sensor that extends the ECCO X family to handle highly reflective and transparent surfaces such as glass. The compact unit delivers up to 40 kHz scan rates, 2.2‑2.9 µm vertical resolution and 163 million points...
Prices of Asia-Pacific's Fertilisers, Petrochemicals Set to Surge on Iran War: ADB
The Asian Development Bank warns that the Iran‑Israel conflict is driving sharp increases in fertilizer and petrochemical prices across the Asia‑Pacific. Methanol benchmark prices rose about 25% in two weeks, while urea and ammonia costs surged after Qatar’s QAFCO halted...
Saudi Arabian Railways Offers Alternative to the Strait of Hormuz
Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR) launched a 1,700‑kilometre freight corridor linking the Gulf ports of Dammam, Jubail and King Fahd to the Jordanian border at Al‑Haditha. Each train will haul more than 400 containers, cutting transit times by roughly half compared...
How Trump's Tariffs Ripped up the Global Trade Order
One year after President Donald Trump’s self‑styled "Liberation Day," his aggressive tariff regime has fundamentally altered the global trade architecture. The tariffs forced many U.S. firms to relocate production to lower‑cost Asian hubs, while European manufacturers grappled with rising input...
Precision Robot Powers Next-Gen Smart Factories
High-Precision Industrial #Robot Built for the Future of Smart Factories by @XueJia24682 #SupplyChain #Automation #Logistics https://t.co/OBNMNwnl9U
Military Plans Overlook Political, Market Limits on Hormuz
Former CENTCOM commander says the US can & will open Hormuz I think he's taking the narrowest military view He ignores the force of politics, markets & insurers to limit Trump's options on time & risk. 👇 https://t.co/Fw6ibZ5qLW https://t.co/shLc2VcgAj
WA Launches First Nuclear Foundations Training Program for AUKUS
Western Australia has launched its first nuclear foundations training program to ready the state’s manufacturing and industrial workforce for the AUKUS nuclear‑powered submarine initiative. The $2.5 million Australian‑dollar (about $1.65 million USD) Defence Industry Reskilling and Upskilling Grants will fund up to...
How WWI Shipping Turned the Tide Against Germany
With Freedom of the Seas at risk once again, earlier this year we had the hosts of the Not So Quiet on the Western Front podcast talk about WWI Shipping. What Went on With Shipping: The World War One Edition |...