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
Smith Calls for New Southbound Pipelines, Says U.S. Could Call 'First Dibs' On Canadian Oil Exports
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told CERAWeek attendees that Canada can fill the United States’ oil‑gap by adding roughly 2.5 million barrels per day of southbound pipeline capacity. She reiterated Alberta’s goal to double crude output to about eight million barrels per day by 2035 and highlighted a partnership between South Bow Corp. and Bridger Pipeline to reuse Keystone XL pipe for a new U.S. link. Smith argued the United States should claim “first dibs” on Canadian exports, while also flagging the need for a more direct natural‑gas corridor across the border.
Trump Pushes Iran Ceasefire to Keep Strait Open
So Trump admin is [rightly] panicking about the Strait of Hormuz so they’re going to try to get Iran to agree to a 1-month ceasefire to negotiate during which I’m sure Trump wants the Strait open Iran’s main leverage is the...
US LNG Export Project Developers Navigate Supply Chain Woes
US LNG export developers are confronting acute supply‑chain bottlenecks as they scale a rapidly expanding project pipeline. A shortage of high‑capacity turbines and a thin pool of skilled Gulf Coast labor are forcing firms to rethink construction schedules. Executives at...
Exotec Rolls Out Skyfleet Program to Scale Decathlon Warehouse Automation Across Europe
Exotec has launched the Skyfleet program, rolling out standardized robotic warehouse solutions to seven Decathlon logistics sites across five European countries. Each site features 150‑200 Skypod robots, up to 200,000 items processed daily, and full automation of inbound and outbound...
Trump Hints at Hormuz Delay Due to Rapid Interceptions
One of the charms of Trump is that he will sometimes tell you what is really happening if you read between the lines. For example, here he all but told us the real reason Hormuz isn't open yet. I would think interception...
Iran Is Testing a Selective Strait of Hormuz Strategy that Could Deliver Another Shock to Oil Markets
Iran is testing a selective passage strategy in the Strait of Hormuz, allowing only certain vessels to transit the waterway. Analysts describe the approach as a calibrated tactic that balances political leverage with economic self‑preservation. By targeting specific ships, Tehran...
Geekplus Launches RoboShuttle V5 to Enable Fully Autonomous Warehouse Picking
Geekplus unveiled the RoboShuttle V5 at LogiMAT 2026, upgrading its tote‑to‑person system with a native Robot Arm Picking Station for fully autonomous warehouse picking. The solution claims 99.99% accuracy, up to 700 units per hour, and a plug‑and‑play rollout in as...
Haad Thip Turns to Returnable Glass
Haad Thip Plc, the exclusive Coca‑Cola bottler for 14 southern Thai provinces, is targeting a rise in returnable glass bottle (RGB) revenue to 6‑7% of total sales this year, up from roughly 3% in FY2025. The move aims to offset...
Execs Warn of Oil Demand Destruction From Supply Crunch
Oil executives warn that the ongoing war in Iran is severely disrupting crude and refined product flows, creating a global supply crunch. The resulting shortages are driving price spikes that are eroding demand across industrial and consumer sectors. Analysts anticipate...
Iran's Strait Fees Prompt Calls for Counter-Embargo
We go to war and end up getting embargoed by Iran, which is now charging protection fees for oil tankers to go through the Strait of Hormuz. That's nuts. If Iran can embargo us with a couple of drones, we...
Aluminum Prices Surge 12‑40% Amid US‑Israel Conflict
As a result of the US-Israeli war in Iran, ALUMINUM prices are UP 12-40% THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. The world’s biggest carmakers are reportedly “panic buying.” CARMAKERS SHOULD SEND A BILL FOR DAMAGES TO TRUMP & NETANYAHU. https://t.co/yRInvBpEdm
Increasing Diesel Prices Are Driving up Livestock Transportation Costs
Diesel prices have climbed to $5.15 per gallon, up from $4.89 a week earlier and $1.57 above the month‑ago average, marking a $1.69 year‑over‑year increase. Ag economist Charley Martinez warns that the higher fuel cost is inflating livestock trucking expenses,...
FedEx Launches Two-Hour and End-of-Day Delivery Options
FedEx announced FedEx SameDay Local, a new parcel service that lets shoppers choose two‑hour or end‑of‑day delivery at checkout. The offering is built on a partnership with Florida‑based last‑mile platform OneRail and taps a national network of more than 1,000...
Lytx Fleet Risk Report Finds Collision Rates Rose Just 4% in 2025
A panel of automation leaders highlighted rapid advances in AI‑driven robotics, autonomous mobile robots, digital twins and predictive maintenance that are reshaping warehouses. They stressed that buyers now prioritize measurable ROI, speed‑to‑value and seamless integration over technology for its own...
Speed Is 2026’s Currency—Upgrade to Faster Ops
Speed is the 2026 currency. If ops aren't moving with $SOL velocity, you're losing. Upgrade to a system with $BTC-like certainty. Interested? Let's chat. Connect and let's talk how I can help you solve your problems. $SOL $BTC $ETH #ERP #SupplyChain #SAPBusinessOne...
Drone Strikes Threaten Russian Oil, Global Market Stability
With the Persian Gulf effectively offline, losing Russian oil would be devastating to the global markets. Drone warfare continues to evolve and reshape the way these conflicts unfold, especially when targeting energy infrastructure. #crude #russiaukrainewar #geopolitics https://t.co/L5OoXtN7DJ
U.S. Pushes for Strategic Mineral Reserve Amid Geopolitical Tensions
U.S. policymakers are urging the creation of a strategic reserve for critical minerals used in weapons, electric vehicles and electronics, but details of the plan were not disclosed. The move comes as Middle‑East conflict spikes oil prices and fuels concerns...
Bionano Genomics Posts Q1 Revenue Dip, Rolls Out Execution Plan to Boost Consumables Profitability
Bionano Genomics announced first‑quarter revenue of $8.0 million, a 3% decline year‑over‑year, while unveiling a suite of execution initiatives that include aggressive expense reductions, a shift toward higher‑margin consumables, and the retirement of its senior secured convertible debt by May 2026....
Toyota Pours $1 Billion Into Kentucky and Indiana Plants to Boost U.S. Output
Toyota announced a $1 billion investment—$800 million for its Georgetown, Kentucky plant and $200 million for its Princeton, Indiana plant—to increase Camry, RAV4 and Grand Highlander output. The spend is a first step in a broader $10 billion U.S. expansion, while the automaker warns...
US Should Leverage Abu Musa, Tunbs
FTR, I suggested the US look at Abu Musa and the Tunbs as avenues to securing the Straight of Hormuz back on March 5… https://t.co/UU4UsAph4d
Oil Shortage Anywhere Hits All Nations Equally
The trouble with looking at the current Hormuz crisis through the lens of which countries have historically imported the volumes is that all of these countries will now be rabidly bidding for all the other barrels. A barrel of oil lost...
Jeffrey Goldberg and Joe Weisenthal: Pandora's Box Has Been Opened
In this Bulwark Podcast episode, host Tim Miller chats with Atlantic editor‑in‑chief Joe Weisenthal and journalist Jeffrey Goldberg about the economic fallout of the Iran‑Israel conflict and the broader implications for U.S. defense policy. They dissect the controversial Signal‑chat scandal...
Exceptional Growth in Africa
Africa’s airfreight sector is projected to grow 6% in 2025, far outpacing global forecasts, as intra‑African trade expands under the AfCFTA and consumer demand rises. Companies are shifting from sea‑dominant logistics to integrated air solutions that promise speed and reliability....
AtomBite.AI Unveils Flexible Manipulation Robotics Designed to Solve the “Grasping Problem” In Commercial Kitchens
AtomBite.AI launched its first commercial robot, the M1 Takeout Packing Robot, to automate the chaotic "last meter" of food‑delivery fulfillment in restaurants. The system runs on a proprietary dual‑model AI brain that lets existing hardware manipulate unpredictable items like crushed...
Farming and Trucking: Low Pay, Chronic Shortages, Immigrant Dependence
Don’t mean to rage bait y’all but have you seen this article? “Like working on a farm, driving a truck is far from the most rewarding occupation, which is why both industries are chronically understaffed and need immigrants to fill their...
Sources Hint Kharg Island Transfer Explains Sudden Cooperation
What of they are giving us Kharg Island? Why would they suddenly be so cooperative? There aren’t many theories out there where this makes any sense… but my sources suggest it may be true.
Improving Fleet Management
Fleet management has shifted from basic maintenance to a data‑driven strategic function, leveraging real‑time GPS, AI routing, and predictive analytics to cut costs and boost utilization. Modern platforms integrate telematics, driver safety, and fuel monitoring, turning vehicles into measurable business...
Russia's Oil Profits Surge; Carmakers Forced to Source Russian Aluminum
Russia is earning the most from its oil exports since the 2022 Ukraine invasion. https://t.co/71t01Q9mI9 Meanwhile some carmakers are considering buying aluminum from Russia. “We don’t really want to take supplies from Russia but we have no choice” https://t.co/fzAXIO4N0x
Toll Group Agrees Sale and Leaseback of Singapore Logistics Facility
Toll Group has entered a sale‑and‑leaseback deal for its 25 Loyang Crescent logistics hub in Singapore, selling the property to CapitaLand Ascendas REIT. The agreement includes a 12‑year triple‑net lease with an optional six‑year extension for the wharf and jetty...
Master Flow Math: Key Laws for Leadership
📘 My favorite leadership read this week. What’s on your list? 💡 The math of flow, variability, WIP, and cycle time—must-know laws. Helpful resource: 🔗 https://t.co/2wgrSzLcqG #FactoryPhysics #OperationsScience #Flow #MachineShopTechTalk #Manufacturing #MachineShop https://t.co/X3kAibF2OI
Rubbish Pile-Ups Weeks Away as Waste Collectors Struggle for Diesel
Waste‑collection firms warn that dwindling diesel supplies could trigger bin service cut‑backs within days to weeks. They have been omitted from the government’s “priority fuel user” list, leaving trucks and processing equipment without fuel. With diesel projected at A$4 per...
Southern Sky Aviation Opens US Customs Facility in Mississippi
Southern Sky Aviation inaugurated a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility at Trent Lott International Airport in Pascagoula, Mississippi on March 19, turning the airport into an official point of entry for international flights. The 24/7 customs service, part of...
How Automation Is Driving Demand for Industrial Real Estate in California
Automation is reshaping California's industrial real estate, turning warehouses and factories into high‑throughput, technology‑driven facilities. Tenants now prioritize power capacity, data connectivity, clear heights and flexible layouts over simple square‑footage metrics. This shift is driving stronger demand for sites in...
Iran Conflict Could Shut Strait, Disrupt Global Supply Chains
Planning for two-three weeks more of Iran war. What does Iran do? Are we teaching a tipping point of how long the Strait will be closed or have few ships transiting? Then what? Maritime? Supply chains. Global economy?
Iran's Strait of Hormuz Leverage Ensures Persistent Economic Power
“Iran holds a lot of cards with the Strait Of Hormuz.” That’s the quote to remember. Geography can be economic power, and “that vulnerability remains pretty much forever.” https://t.co/OoCOYi8LMc
Cannondale Parts Ways with UK Distributor
Cannondale has terminated its UK distribution agreement with Saddleback, opting for a direct‑to‑dealer model under Pon.Bike UK. Starting 16 April, retailers will access Cannondale products through Pon.Bike’s B2B platform, with the Pon.Bike sales team handling backorders and future inventory. The partnership,...
Service Input Costs Hit May High; Manufacturers at Seven‑month Peak
"Input prices for services rose to the highest since May, while those for manufacturers jumped to a seven-month high." https://t.co/NMR6KvBOzE https://t.co/DhoJ1m76qO
Rising $5 Diesel Squeezes Truckers, Hits Economy
"$5 Diesel is Crushing Truckers. It Will Soon Be Felt Across the Economy." https://t.co/u6Z4qcVLci https://t.co/m3UrTU1L2r
The Marsden Point Refinery Probably Wouldn’t Be the Saviour Shane Jones Is Telling You It Is. Here’s Why
New Zealand’s Marsden Point refinery shut in 2022 was a private business decision, not a direct government order as some politicians claim. The plant had supplied up to 70% of the nation’s fuel before closing, but relied on imported Middle‑Eastern...
Speed and Security Don't Justify Government Equity Stakes
"Rare Earths, Vulcan, and Government Equity Stakes" https://t.co/O8xyNepv2V via @CatoInstitute @DeHavenTad "The case for speed is not a case for ownership—and the case for national security is not a case for normalizing a model in which politically favored firms receive...
$16 Million Awarded for Breakthrough Metal-Recovery Innovations
The NSF‑backed Tech Metal Transformation Challenge, run through Stride Ventures, awarded roughly $16 million to eight winning teams for metal‑recovery technologies. Each winner receives up to $2 million in the first 10‑month stage, with potential follow‑on funding of $2.5 million and $3 million for...
War in Iran Is Disrupting Air Travel, Hitting Middle East Hardest
War in Iran has sharply disrupted global air travel, with jet fuel prices roughly doubling after the Strait of Hormuz blockage. Airlines worldwide are raising fares and fuel surcharges, exemplified by Air France and KLM’s $58 increase on long‑haul tickets....
Class I Briefs: CN, CPKC De México
Canada National Railway (CN) was named Canada Post’s National Carrier – Multi Mode winner, citing its strong safety performance and a zero‑incident year. The accolade underscores CN’s reliability in mail transport across Canada. Meanwhile, CPKC de México President Oscar del Cueto was...
Freight Data Reveals Unprecedented Manufacturing Surge Since COVID
The freight data doesn't lie... It has been signaling incredibly strong manufacturing conditions for months. I am seeing some of the strongest freight volume charts tied to industrial activity I've seen since COVID. https://t.co/jJXPO8D1OQ
The Strait of Hormuz & Why It Matters
In a 3EDGE Week in Review video, Chief Investment Strategist Fritz Folts and CEO/CIO Steve Cucchiaro examine the geopolitical risks of a potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz. They outline the waterway’s strategic role in global oil transport and...
Iran's Transit Fee Hikes Oil, LNG, and Shipping Prices
Factoring in Iran’s “transit” fee. And what it does to the price of oil, LNG, and anything else moving thru the Strait.
Doss Raises $55M for AI Inventory Management that Plugs Into ERP
AI‑native ERP startup Doss announced a $55 million Series B round led by Madrona and Premji Invest to expand its AI‑driven inventory management layer. The solution plugs into existing accounting platforms, allowing mid‑market consumer brands to synchronize physical goods data with their...
Jeff Wilke Reveals Amazon’s Trillion‑dollar Scaling and Physical AI
Deployed Episode 1 is live. @jeffawilke scaled Amazon’s operations from a billion to a trillion dollars. We got into things he's rarely talked about publicly -- drones, lights-out factories, the future of Physical AI. Link below. https://t.co/BLWpc9TdvS
CN Index Climbs Further as Systemic Pressure Intensifies in Container Shipping
The Container News (CN) Index rose to 654 this week, confirming the market’s placement in the Very High Pressure range. Freight rates strengthened across major lanes such as Far East‑North Europe, Asia‑U.S. East Coast, and Asia‑U.S. West Coast, as well...
How Pharma Supply Chains Can Brace for FDA’s 12-Digit NDC Standard
The FDA issued a final rule on March 5, 2026 establishing a uniform 12‑digit National Drug Code (NDC) that will replace the current variable 10‑digit format, with an effective date of March 7, 2033 and a seven‑year preparation window followed by a three‑year transition...