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
Can We Track Fertiliser Ships Before They Hit the Dock?
A proof‑of‑concept platform now tracks bulk fertilizer shipments bound for Australian ports before they berth, using publicly available shipping data combined with commercial signals. Early trials have successfully identified vessel names, tonnages, arrival dates and end‑customers at ports such as Newcastle, Geelong and Esperance. The intelligence is compiled independently of fertilizer producers, giving farmers an unbiased view of supply. The team seeks industry or government funding to broaden coverage, improve accuracy, and deliver the service at scale to Australia’s 300,000‑plus rural subscribers.
7 Best Inventory Management Software in 2026
TechRepublic’s 2026 roundup identifies the top inventory management platforms for businesses of all sizes, from enterprise‑grade NetSuite to free‑tier Zoho and Odoo. The guide highlights pricing structures, core features such as demand planning, multi‑location tracking, and API/webhook support, and rates...
Like Putin, Trump Is a Megalomaniac. In Europe, We Can Shield Ourselves, Not Look for Rational Motives | Robert Habeck
German vice‑chancellor Robert Habeck compares Donald Trump’s Iran war to Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine invasion, labeling both leaders as megalomaniacal and unpredictable. He notes the US lacks a coherent military plan, whereas Russia’s operation was pre‑planned and tied to an energy...
Weak Refining Economics Heighten Strategic Pressure on US Smelters
US copper smelters face rising strategic pressure as weak refining economics reshape the copper supply chain. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/us-copper-smelters-face-strategic.html
Steel Companies Gear up for Further Hike in Prices
Indian steel producers are preparing for another price increase as U.S. attacks on Iran lift coking coal, ferro‑alloy and shipping costs. Domestic hot‑rolled coil prices have risen 23 percent to roughly $650‑$700 per tonne, up from about $566 a month earlier....
Saudi Red Sea Exports Avert Major Hormuz Oil Disruption
Saudi oil exports from its Western ports on the Red Sea represented the most immediate and largest mitigation of the Hormuz crisis. Logically, any oil transported via pipelines from east to west and loaded at the Red Sea ports must be...
The Crude Report: Crude on War
In this episode of the Argus Crude Report, Lina Bullock and Mediterranean reporter Eleni Krak discuss how the Middle‑East Gulf War is reshaping crude supplies for European refiners. They explain that Europe faces a loss of roughly 600,000 barrels per...
WTO Tracker Shows Heavy Oil/LNG Traffic Through Hormuz
Look at the number of oil and LNG vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz in the WTO's newly-launched tracker. It is based on "AIS-traceable vessels only" -- but I think that's a fair picture. Who in their right mind would think "dark...
US Navy's Proximity Stalls Commercial Traffic in Hormuz
And Trump just explained why there’s virtually no commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz right now. The Lincoln is ~600 miles off Iran’s coast. That gives it several minutes of warning time, plus an entire air wing, three destroyers, a...
Lamborghinis Stranded in Sri Lanka as War Disrupts Asia's Used-Car Trade
The U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have choked the Strait of Hormuz, causing severe port congestion that left more than 500 Japanese‑exported cars idle at sea before finally off‑loading in Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port ten days late. Japanese firm...
FBI Indicts Two China Pharma Firms for Supplying Fentanyl Precursors
The FBI announced indictments against Shandong Believe Chemical Company, Shandong Ranhang Biotechnology and six Chinese citizens for exporting fentanyl precursors to the Gulf Cartel. The charges, part of Operation Box Cutter, highlight a new level of cooperation between U.S. and Chinese...
China’s ISA Vessels Under Scrutiny as Tonga Signs US Deep‑Sea Mining Deal
Chinese state‑owned vessels have logged just 6% of their open‑water time in International Seabed Authority‑designated mining zones, prompting accusations of dual‑use activity, while Tonga’s new agreement with the United States to explore deep‑sea minerals has ignited local environmental concerns. Both...
HII's Eric Chewning Charts AI‑Driven Turnaround in Century‑Old Shipyards
Eric Chewning, executive vice president of maritime systems and corporate strategy at Huntington Ingalls Industries, says the shipbuilder’s AI pilots with C3 AI and Path Robotics are delivering schedule gains and cultural change, offering a playbook for consultants tackling legacy‑heavy...
Dollar Tree Posts 9% Revenue Rise, Highlights Supply‑Chain Wins in Q4 2025
Dollar Tree posted $5.5 bn in fourth‑quarter 2025 revenue, a 9% year‑over‑year increase, driven by a 5% rise in comparable store sales and a 6.3% lift in average ticket size. The retailer also highlighted stronger inventory management, $970 m of free cash...
Nintendo Slashes Switch 2 Production by One‑Third After Holiday Sales Miss
Nintendo announced it will cut Switch 2 manufacturing by roughly 33% following weaker-than‑expected holiday sales. The move comes amid lingering tariff costs, price hikes on accessories and a competitive market, putting pressure on the company’s 2026 console strategy.
Eurozone Private‑Sector Output Slides to 10‑Month Low, Input Costs Surge
Eurozone private‑sector activity slipped to a ten‑month low in March, with the flash composite output index dropping to 50.5, below expectations. At the same time, input‑cost inflation accelerated to its strongest level in over three years, underscoring weakening domestic demand...
Slovenia Enacts EU’s First Fuel Rationing Amid Hormuz Blockade
Slovenia became the first EU member to impose fuel purchase limits after the Strait of Hormuz blockage triggered long lines and shortages. Private motorists can buy up to 50 liters a day, while companies are capped at 200 liters, with the army...
CERAWeek CEOs Warn of Oil Market Volatility as Iran-Israel War Keeps Hormuz Closed
At CERAWeek in Houston, Chevron CEO Mike Wirth, TotalEnergies chief Patrick Pouyanne and NNPC GCEO Bashir Ojulari warned that the Iran‑Israel war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are creating unprecedented volatility for oil and gas markets. Their...
Blast Hits Texas Oil Refinery Amid Shifting Global Commodity Markets
A blast was reported at a Texas oil refinery, though details remain scarce. The incident comes as crude oil prices slipped on easing US‑Iran tensions, while India's coal consultancy CMPDI struggled to attract investors and turmeric prices fell sharply amid...
Valero Port Arthur Refinery Explosion Sparks Massive Fire and Production Halt
Valero Energy's Port Arthur, Texas refinery suffered a massive explosion that ignited a fire and forced an immediate shutdown of the plant. The incident sent a thick smoke plume over the Gulf Coast, prompting emergency response teams and sparking worries...
Pioneer Steps Into US Defence Supply Chain Spotlight with DIBC Entry
Pioneer Minerals has been accepted into the U.S. Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC), linking its Idaho North Pine tungsten project to defence supply‑chain initiatives. Membership gives Pioneer direct access to government agencies, contractors and potential non‑dilutive funding to boost domestic...
India's Private Sector PMI Slips to 3‑Year Low Amid Middle East War
HSBC's flash PMI shows India's private sector output index fell to 56.5 in March, the lowest level since October 2022. The slowdown is tied to the Middle East war, rising input costs and weaker domestic demand, raising concerns for investors...
Hair‑follicle Tests Could Curb Trucker Drug Abuse, Not Racism
Lots of public attention towards non-english speaking truck drivers, but the industry has far bigger safety issues. One of them is the proliferation of drug and alcohol issues among truck drivers, including cocaine and opioids. Currently, truck drivers are only...
GSEM, NRFC Highlight Manufacturing Investment Pathway in Melbourne’s South East
A joint event by Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) and the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) highlighted manufacturing investment pathways in Melbourne’s south‑east. The region accounts for about $89 billion Australian (≈$59 billion USD) in annual manufacturing output, hosts over 3,800 firms...
Tariffs Boost Prices Now, Promise Uncertain Future Benefits
Tariffs raise prices now and gamble on benefits later—if they come at all. Meanwhile, retaliation and supply chain shifts hurt U.S. businesses. That’s not a clear “benefit.” And corporations don’t price based on taxes alone—they price based on what they...
India's Economy Crippled by Gulf Dependence Amid Iran War
#IndiaWatch 🇮🇳: As the Iranian war drags on, India takes an economic hit. Eighty percent of Indian gas imports, forty percent of Indian oil imports, and forty percent of India’s remittances depend on the Gulf. MODI SHOULD SEND TRUMP AND NETANYAHU A...
LNG Exports Framed as Key to Regional Energy Stability in Singapore Pact
Australia and Singapore have signed a fuel‑security pact that positions Australian liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a cornerstone of regional energy stability. The agreement, endorsed by Australian Energy Producers, stresses the importance of uninterrupted LNG trade amid global uncertainty. Industry...
Asia Cuts LNG Imports to Free Gas for Europe
This is why there is so much focus on gas demand destruction 👇 Importers (particularly those in emerging Asia) will need to take less LNG to free-up more for Europe and other richer nations the longer Hormuz/Qatar is shut
Australia Faces Fuel Shortage as Hormuz Disruption Persists
Australia is RUNNING OUT OF FUEL. As the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted, hundreds of gas stations across the country are running dry. THE GAS STATIONS SHOULD SEND A BILL FOR DAMAGES TO TRUMP AND NETANYAHU. https://t.co/9LMx4BprMq
Manufacturing Jobs Increase as Packaging Complexity Expands Workforce Requirement
Manufacturing employment is rising as packaging becomes more intricate across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. The three‑tier packaging system now demands specialized design, material handling, and logistics expertise. Companies investing in advanced packaging see higher labor needs, from graphic designers...
US Brigade Plan Risks Escalation Into Iran's Oil Heart
US weighing deployment of a combat brigade to take Kharg, repair airfields Supply lines would follow That’s a blueprint for escalation into Iran’s oil heart MARKETS AREN’T READY FOR THAT OUTCOME #IranWar #Oil #Hormuz #Geopolitics #EnergyMarkets https://t.co/ekbkXerzjV
Domestic Intermodal Rail Jumps 8% YoY
Truckers aren't the only ones feeling the freight market surge. Domestic intermodal rail +8% YoY https://t.co/3KVVCFp8Q9
Tolomatic Doubles Force Capacity of RSX Linear Actuators With New RSX50
Tolomatic introduced the RSX50, a new electric linear actuator that delivers 50 tons of force while occupying nearly the same frame size as the 25‑ton RSX25. The RSX series offers a hydraulic‑free alternative, featuring planetary roller screws, up to 66,000 pounds‑force capacity,...
Europe Braces for Iran War Fuel Shortages
Europe will soon face the same kind of fuel supply disruptions as Asia due to the war in Iran, says Shell’s CEO 🇪🇺 ⚠️ “If you look through the slate, jet fuel is already being impacted. Diesel will be next...
Oil Shipping Costs Ease as Tankers Divert to Atlantic Basin
As the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, oil tankers are increasingly diverting to the Atlantic Basin, boosting vessel traffic there. The rerouting eases regional freight rates, offering lower shipping costs for crude moving to Europe and the Americas. Traders note...
K Line Ships First Train Cars for Cairo Metro Line 4
K Line has shipped the first eight train cars for Cairo Metro Line 4, loading them onto the car carrier Iguazu Highway at Kobe and sailing to Alexandria on 12 March 2026. The rolling stock is supplied by Mitsubishi Corporation and Kinki Sharyo for...
Was Your Labubu Made With Forced Labor?
Pop Mart’s Labubu plush, a viral collectible, has driven sales past $4 billion in 2025, but a China Labor Watch investigation uncovered forced‑labor indicators at Shunjia Toys, the sole factory producing the doll. Workers reported excessive overtime—up to 145 hours a month—extremely...
China Not Expected to See LNG Supply Shortage Despite Mideast War
China’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) market is projected to avoid a supply shortage through March despite the ongoing Middle East conflict, according to Shandong‑based consultancy SCI99. The firm cites robust existing contracts and a diversified import portfolio that includes Russia,...
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...
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...
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...
California's Energy Crisis Looms as Iran Blocks Oil Routes
California is careening toward an energy crisis because it depends on refined out imports, says Chevron 🇺🇸 ⚠️ Now shipments from China, South Korea, Singapore and elsewhere are at risk of slowing significantly as Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz https://t.co/KXe3T6k8Dw
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...
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
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...