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
America Wants to Reshore Manufacturing—But Who Will Do the Work?
U.S. companies are pouring billions into reshoring manufacturing, spurred by the CHIPS Act and Inflation Reduction Act, but a critical workforce gap threatens these investments. Research from the University of Tennessee shows only one‑third of firms have advanced reshoring plans, citing shortages in skilled technicians, supply‑chain operators, and leaders. Modern factories require workers who can collaborate with automation, analyze data, and solve complex problems, not just perform manual tasks. Executives must treat talent development as a strategic priority, integrating upskilling, apprenticeships, and education partnerships into capital plans.
JAL and Cargolux Enhance Air Cargo Partnership with Narita-Luxembourg Codeshare
Japan Airlines (JAL) and Luxembourg‑based Cargolux announced a new codeshare on the Narita‑Luxembourg route, deepening a partnership that dates back more than three decades. The agreement also grants JAL capacity on interline flights from Tokyo Narita to Chicago O’Hare, complementing...
Open Access Lumo Cracks the West Coast Main Line
First Group‑backed Lumo is set to launch an open‑access service on the West Coast Main Line between Stirling and London, using refurbished Class 222 diesel multiple units. After convincing the Office of Rail and Road, the operator secured four scarce train...
Will the Iran War Revive Russia’s Power of Siberia 2 Pipeline?
The Iran‑Israel war has shut the Strait of Hormuz, driving up Asian LNG prices and prompting Beijing to reconsider its heavy reliance on maritime energy imports. Analysts say the disruption revives interest in the stalled Power of Siberia‑2 pipeline, a...
EcoNavis Completes Second Eco Boss Cap Retrofit for Kaizen
EcoNavis Solutions installed its Eco Boss Cap on a second Kaizen vessel, the 32,491 dwt bulk carrier YC Fortitude, following the July 2025 retrofit of the 31,807 dwt general cargo ship SYFC Araya. After six months of operation, Kaizen reported fuel savings between 2.2% and...
Rising Costs of War: Gulf Energy Infrastructure Stares Down $25B Repair Bill
The Middle East war has generated at least $25 billion in repair and restoration costs for Gulf oil and gas infrastructure, according to Rystad Energy. Damage to Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG complex has cut output by 17%, equivalent to 12.8 million tonnes per...
CTDOT Releases 2027-2030 STIP
The Connecticut Department of Transportation unveiled its draft 2027‑2030 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, outlining over 380 projects funded by $4.5 billion in federal, $932 million in state, and $45 million in local dollars. About $1.1 billion of the plan is earmarked for transit, including...
Transload Provider Bringing New Life to Dormant Maine Rail Lines
TransloadX, a New England transload and logistics firm, filed with the Surface Transportation Board to lease two dormant CSX branch lines in Maine—a roughly 18‑mile Bangor‑Bucksport route and the Waterville‑Augusta spur. The Bangor‑Bucksport line has sat idle since a paper...
Shipping Faces Investment Strain as Decarbonization Rules Tighten, Wärtsilä Finds
A Wärtsilä survey of 225 senior maritime executives shows that tightening decarbonisation regulations are turning emissions targets into direct operating costs, reshaping ship owners' investment strategies. While more than 90% remain confident they can navigate the energy transition, 70% say...
UiPath Announces New Agentic Solution to Accelerate Procurement Cycles
UiPath unveiled its new Purchase-to-Pay (P2P) solution, an agentic AI platform that overlays existing ERP and CRM systems to automate procurement and accounts‑payable workflows. The tool leverages Intelligent Xtraction and Processing, AI‑driven approval routing, and UiPath Maestro orchestration to capture...
Bold Laser Automation Introduces a Precision Laser Cleaning System for Advanced Manufacturing
Bold Laser Automation has launched the LPCl1820UV, a Class 1 industrial laser system that uses a 349 nm Q‑switched UV source delivering up to 120 µJ per pulse for precision surface cleaning. The platform integrates nanosecond laser processing, high‑accuracy motion control, advanced beam...
Transparent Negotiations Won’t Survive Last‑Minute Discount Demands
Procurement entered at the the 5 yard line of my largest Enterprise deal ever last year. We ran discovery on their procurement process. Learned what mattered most: -Short-term contract vs. longer-term agreement? -Total price vs. price per seat? -Cash flow for billing? We were transparent about...
US‑Iran Standoff: Unclear Resolution Timeline, Strait at Risk
US demands. Iran demands. Will there be resolution? If so, how long to achieve? And if not? In the meantime, what about maritime and the Strait? https://t.co/H96YCgv7lV
RAYMOND TO DEMONSTRATE HOW IT DRIVES THE RHYTHM OF THE WAREHOUSE AT MODEX 2026
Raymond Corporation will showcase its end‑to‑end intralogistics portfolio at MODEX 2026 in Atlanta, featuring new electric lift trucks, automated Courier trucks, and the iWAREHOUSE intelligent‑warehouse suite. The booth will host six 10‑minute "Material Handling Moments" sessions that deliver actionable solutions...
Top Nations Relying on Hormuz for Fertilizer Imports
Which countries are most dependent on fertilizer through the Straits of Hormuz. More on this in the Chartbook Top Links today. https://t.co/r2Cnz3sGtS
Taiwan's Political Choices Ripple Through Global Supply Chains
Taiwan politics isn’t just a local issue. When a party like the KMT shapes how closely the country engages with China and the US, it influences a supply chain the entire world depends on. That’s why it matters far beyond Taiwan. https://t.co/2eGMOnyZKp
Oracle Unveils AI Agent Studio, No‑Code Builder for Procurement Automation
Oracle announced AI Agent Studio, a no‑code builder that lets enterprises create AI‑driven procurement bots without programming. The launch expands Oracle's cloud suite and targets a market dominated by legacy ERP and emerging spend‑management platforms.
TACO Boosts Trump, War Uncertainty Keeps Oil Low
"Rather than being a sign of weakness, TACO is working in Trump’s favor. No one knows for certain when or if he’ll try to end the war, which has been enough to stop traders from pushing up the oil price."...
US Import Prices Surge to Four‑Year High
"US Import Prices Jump by Most in Nearly Four Years Ahead of Iran War" "Excluding petroleum, import costs advanced 1.2%, the most since January 2022 and driven by higher prices for capital goods and consumer merchandise excluding automobiles." https://t.co/0glmjMPmLR
RI Urged to Honor Contracts, Keep Doors Open in Mineral Tug-of-War
Indonesia stands at a crossroads as the United States and European allies push to onshore critical‑mineral supply chains, challenging China’s dominance in the archipelago’s mining sector. The recently signed US‑Indonesia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) could deepen Western ties, but...
The West Has Long Characterized Iran’s Oil As A Prize To Be Claimed
The article traces how Western powers have long portrayed Iran’s oil as a coveted prize, beginning with the 1908 discovery that birthed the Anglo‑Persian Oil Company, later BP. It shows how BP’s interwar advertising turned Iran into an exotic backdrop...
Basler AG and Orbbec Launch Technology Partnership for Industrial 3D Vision in Logistics and Factory Automation
Basler AG and Chinese robotics specialist Orbbec have formed a strategic partnership to develop industrial 3D vision solutions for logistics and factory automation. Their first joint product, the Basler Stereo mini camera, will debut at LogiMAT 2026 and targets autonomous mobile...
Ironhorse ACM AC Drives and ACN EtherCAT Communications Modules From AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect launched the IronHorse ACM series AC drives, offering V/Hz and sensorless vector control for low‑horsepower motors using single‑phase 120 V or 230 V power. The drives cover 1/8 to 3 HP, feature five digital inputs, two relay outputs, analog I/O, dynamic braking,...
Hactl Moves to 100% Recycled Plastic Sheets for Cargo
Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) has completed a transition to 100 % closed‑loop recycled plastic sheets for its cargo operations, after piloting 30‑50 % recycled content since 2022. The program, developed with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute, uses post‑consumer...
Shaviv Deburring Tools, Sets and Accessories From AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect announced the launch of new Shaviv deburring tool sets, including a premium 21‑piece and a 12‑piece kit, both featuring ergonomic universal handles and quick‑change blade holders. The expanded Heavy‑duty and Mango IIB/IIE configurations add compact, direct‑blade designs for tight‑space...
Define Instruments Panel Meters & Signal Conditioners
AutomationDirect has added Define Instruments digital panel meters, signal conditioners, and temperature transmitters to its catalog. The Merlin series meters accept current, temperature, voltage, potentiometer and pulse inputs, feature advanced scaling, USB‑based configuration and an IP65‑rated LED display. The LPI610...
More Datalogic Smart-VS Vision Sensors From AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has added two new Datalogic Smart‑VS vision sensors to its catalog: the Smart‑VS Plus and the Smart‑VS EVO. The Plus model introduces a third object classification and expands image storage to 20 frames while maintaining a 50‑400 mm range and...
Australian Forwarders Seek Aid as Surcharges and ‘Dumped’ Boxes Drive Costs Up
Australian freight forwarders, backed by APSA and the Freight & Trade Alliance, are seeking government assistance to offset soaring shipping costs caused by the US/Israeli war against Iran. Conflict‑related surcharges and end‑of‑voyage fees are adding up to about $4,000 per...
Flexport Dispute Sheds Light on How AI Is Reshaping Freight Forwarding
Flexport is suing former employees and rival startup Freightmate AI over alleged misuse of shipment documents to train AI tools. The dispute centers on thousands of real‑world freight documents that were downloaded and could give Freightmate a data advantage, rather...
The Hidden Cost of Expiring Inventory for Small Food Manufacturers
In this 38‑minute live webinar, Steve Maurer—an industry veteran with 35 years of food‑processing experience—explains the hidden costs of expired inventory for small food manufacturers. He breaks down direct losses (raw material, labor, overhead) and indirect expenses such as storage,...
Trenitalia’s Espresso Riviera Sleeper Suspended as SNCF Constraints Bite
Trenitalia’s heritage night train Espresso Riviera, which linked Milan to Nice in 2024 and expanded to a Rome‑Marseille route in 2025, will not run in the 2026 summer despite carrying over 3,500 passengers across nine weekends. The operator cites force‑majeure after...
Roeth: Fleets Need to Prepare for Fuel Volatility Like a Squirrel Prepares for Winter
Diesel prices have surged from $2.55 per gallon in 2020 to nearly $5 in 2022, underscoring the volatility that fleets now face. Michael Roeth urges operators to treat fuel efficiency like a squirrel stockpiling for winter, investing in engine optimization,...
Qatar's Largest LNG Plant Faces 2‑4 Year Restart Delay
The world's biggest LNG plant in Qatar wont be able to quickly restart even after the Iran war ends🇶🇦⚠️ Two of the plant's trains were damaged, and need new gas turbines to power LNG refrigeration compressors. Delivery will take 2-4 years...
Fuel Surcharges Emerging Globally, More to Follow
Fuel surcharges are starting to roll in around the world. This one's for an Australian car service, but I'm betting your going to see a lot more of these everywhere very soon. https://t.co/4lWJw5vyNw
Polestar Switches to Batteries with 50% Recycled Cobalt
Polestar announced that the batteries in its Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 models now contain at least 50 percent recycled cobalt and will use refurbished modules for any replacements. The move is part of a broader circular‑economy strategy that aims to extend battery...
Critical Minerals, Critical Moment: Geopolitics, Vulnerabilities and Lessons Learned From a High-Risk Sector
The OECD Global Anti‑Corruption & Integrity Forum 2026 highlighted critical minerals as a flashpoint for corruption amid soaring demand for clean‑energy technologies. Experts warned that complex, multi‑jurisdictional supply chains expose the sector to bribery, human‑rights abuses and environmental damage. The...
Gulf Energy Maritime in for MR Tanker Series at HD Hyundai
Dubai‑based Gulf Energy Maritime (GEM) has placed a $300 million order for six 50,000‑dwt medium‑range product tankers, split evenly between HD Hyundai’s Korean and Vietnamese shipyards. The vessels are slated for delivery between 2027 and 2029, expanding GEM’s fleet beyond ten...
EU-Mercosur Trade Deal Launches May 1, Covering 25% of Global GDP
"EU says Mercosur free trade deal will start May 1, accounting for 25% of global GDP" https://t.co/357IyH3KRA https://t.co/tpysXMlyjm
Lytica and the Emergence of a Pricing Science Layer in Procurement
Lytica is launching a pricing‑science layer that turns anonymized buyer transaction data into real‑time market intelligence for procurement teams. By modeling prices as statistical distributions rather than static benchmarks, the platform lets companies gauge how competitive their spend is across...
Europe's Gas Reserves Deplete Amid War‑driven Supply Crisis
Europe faced with near-empty gas stores just as war hits supply https://t.co/AMi8Pr6NeH via @priazrocha https://t.co/iNtIl6DXzV
Vostok Oil – Part 1: Logistical, Administrative Hurdles
Rosneft’s Vostok Oil, envisioned as Russia’s flagship greenfield oil development, is now years behind its original timeline. The project faces significant logistical bottlenecks, from remote Siberian terrain to inadequate transport infrastructure, and tangled administrative approvals that stall progress. Despite these...
Nestlé Trials AI Technology to Tackle Factory Food Waste
Nestlé has piloted Zest’s AI platform across its factories, instantly linking fragmented production data to pinpoint and reduce food waste. The system uncovered four times more edible surplus than manual checks, redirecting 201.9 tonnes—equivalent to about 480,000 meals—to people in need...
Scaling Rail Monitoring Without Maintenance Mountains
Rail operators are confronting a looming “maintenance mountain” as the drive to install more point sensors for landslides, trespass and cable theft creates endless battery swaps, cleaning and access challenges. The article proposes Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) that repurposes existing...
Is the Oil Crisis About to Break Global Supply Chains?
In this episode, Ed Elson and Flexport CEO Ryan Peterson discuss the cascading effects of the Strait of Hormuz closure and Red Sea disruptions on global supply chains, highlighting soaring oil, diesel, and fertilizer prices and a 50% rise in...
Is the Iran Crisis a Game-Changer for Russian Gas?
The article examines how the escalating Iran crisis could reshape Russia’s gas exports to Europe, a market where Russia still accounts for roughly 40% of supply. It argues that the EU’s recent pivot toward liquefied natural gas (LNG) has swapped...
State Aid Approved for France - Italy Piggyback Service
The European Commission’s competition directorate approved state aid for the French and Italian governments to revive the cross‑border piggyback service between Aiton, near Chambéry, and Orbassano near Turin. Launched in 2003 on Modalohr swing‑tray wagons after the Mont Blanc tunnel...
Cutting-Edge Sensor Tech Targets Cargo Theft as Losses Hit $725M
Supply chain losses from cargo theft jumped to about $725 million in 2025, driven by organized crime targeting high‑value freight. Wiliot, an Israeli‑San Diego IoT firm, offers battery‑free, paper‑thin Bluetooth tags that give each product a digital identity and real‑time visibility...
FS Logistix and Logtainer Launch New Port-Inland Connections in Italy
FS Logistix and Logtainer have launched new rail‑freight services linking the Ligurian ports of Genoa and Vado Ligure with inland terminals in Verona and Milan. The partnership enables containers arriving by ship to be transferred directly onto Mercitalia trains for...
What Shippers Need From LCL Consolidators in the Era of Ever-Disruption
Tim Jurischka argues that LCL consolidators must shift from pure cost‑optimisation to building resilience amid persistent geopolitical and trade disruptions. He highlights that traditional, static consolidation networks struggle when routes are blocked or capacity tightens, leading to higher freight rates...
Intra-Asia Trade the Next Hunting Ground for M&A-Hungry Carriers
Intra‑Asia container trade emerged as the most profitable segment in 2025, with volumes nearing 50 million TEU. Taiwan’s Wan Hai Lines posted the highest operating margin at 18.9%, while Cosco’s $4.3 bn net profit was buoyed by strong intra‑Asia earnings. The region’s growth,...