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
APM Terminals Lazaro Cardenas Starts Phase III Expansion
APM Terminals Lazaro Cardenas has commissioned its $140 million Phase II expansion, boosting the terminal’s operational area to 65 hectares and capacity to roughly 2 million TEU. The company immediately began Phase III construction, part of a $350 million investment program, to add 450 metres of quay and extend total berthing frontage to 1,200 metres. The facility now features a fully automated container yard—the only one of its kind in Latin America—alongside electric cranes and shuttle carriers. Phase III aims to further increase capacity and reinforce Mexico’s role in global trade.
AAT Achieves IATA IEnvA Certification, Advancing Sustainable Cargo Operations
Asia Airfreight Terminal (AAT), a SATS Ltd subsidiary, secured the International Air Transport Association’s IEnvA certification, confirming its robust sustainability framework. The terminal reported a 33% reduction in emissions from a 2018 baseline, driven by energy‑efficient upgrades, fleet electrification, autonomous...
EcoCeres Secures Landmark SAF Supply Agreement in China
EcoCeres Inc. has launched a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) pilot program in China, dubbed “Project Spark,” partnering with CASRI, CNAF, China Southern Airlines, Air China Cargo, Sichuan Airlines and Huarong Chemical. The pilot used SAF produced at EcoCeres’ Zhangjiagang plant,...
Bridges Air Cargo Begins Regular E190F Operations
Bridges Air Cargo has launched regular operations with a converted Embraer E190F freighter, linking Rome Fiumicino, Malta International and Mitiga Airport in Libya. The aircraft, registered 9H‑BRD and leased from Regional One, completed its first commercial flight earlier this month. Bridges, a Malta‑based...
Voestalpine Secures EUR 500 Million in Orders in Germany and Switzerland
voestalpine Railway Systems secured €500 million (approximately $545 million) in orders from Deutsche Bahn and Swiss Federal Railways for rails, switches, signaling and monitoring solutions. The contracts cover the modernization of Frankfurt Central Station, the Hamburg‑Berlin high‑capacity corridor, and a 20‑year digitalisation framework...
World Rail Freight News Round-Up
The world rail freight sector saw several strategic moves in early 2026, including dynamic testing of the 1,554‑km Tren Maya line in Mexico and the launch of a 2,500‑km block train service by TX Logistik for Nurminen Logistics between Italy and Sweden....
Plug-and-Play Cooling: Carnotfleet’s Bid to Democratise the Cold Chain
Carnotfleet, a Singapore‑incorporated startup, offers plug‑and‑play modular refrigeration that retrofits existing dry trucks and containers in minutes, using solid‑state thermoelectric heat pumps and integrated IoT. The company claims up to 80% lower total cost of ownership and 82% fewer carbon...
A Compounding Oil Shock: Part III
The article proposes a "Supply Accord" – a coordinated fiscal‑monetary framework to tackle a persistent, geopolitically‑driven oil shock that has moved from price spikes to real supply constraints. It argues that the Fed’s rate tool can protect the inflation anchor...
Finnair Opts For New Embraer E2s and Used Airbus A320/A321ceos
Finnair announced a hybrid fleet renewal, signing a firm contract for 18 new Embraer E195‑E2 jets with options that could expand the order to 46 aircraft. The airline will also acquire 12 used Airbus A320 and A321 ceo models to...
Delays Come at a Cost: DB Paid EUR 156 Million in Compensation in 2025
Deutsche Bahn paid €156.1 million ($168 million) in passenger compensation in 2025, down from €197 million ($213 million) in 2024 but still nearly three times the 2019 level. The company processed about 6.2 million claims, triple 2019 filings, while long‑distance train punctuality remained poor, with...
Super Micro Indictment Highlights AI Infrastructure Supply Chain Risks
A federal indictment alleges Super Micro executives facilitated moving Nvidia AI chips to China, prompting co‑founder Yih‑Shyan Liaw's resignation. The case highlights the clash between soaring AI hardware demand, tightening export controls, and supply‑chain integrity. Analysts warn that reliance on...
Tech That’s Moving the Relocation Industry Forward in 2026
The relocation sector is rapidly integrating advanced technologies such as digital twins, IoT tracking, AI‑driven pricing engines, warehouse robotics, and augmented reality. Digital twins let movers simulate entire moves, identifying spatial constraints weeks before packing. IoT smart tags provide real‑time...
Disruptions Ahead for Rail to the Port of Southampton
Network Rail will close the Winchester‑St Denys line from 3‑6 April for four days of Easter engineering works, affecting a corridor that handles roughly 3,500 trains each week, many bound for the Port of Southampton. The works focus on switches, crossings, tamping...
Threats Abound to India’s Traditional Geopolitical Role
India’s multialignment strategy is under strain as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran triggered a domestic LPG shortage, exposing the country’s energy fragility. Simultaneously, New Delhi’s decision to reopen critical sectors to Chinese foreign direct investment deepens its reliance on a...
The Invisible Warriors: Seafarers in the Line of Fire
Seafarers navigating the Strait of Hormuz amid the Middle‑East conflict are largely invisible in media coverage, despite their critical role in global trade. Thousands remain trapped in a war zone, delivering goods that keep supply chains moving while public outrage...
Using Kamishibai Boards to Strengthen Leader Standard Work and Layered Audits
Kamishibai boards, a visual control tool from Toyota‑style Lean, are gaining traction as a core mechanism for reinforcing Leader Standard Work and Layered Process Audits. By displaying colored cards that represent routine checks—such as safety, 5S, and coaching—leaders can instantly...
Finding a Home for Excess 3PL Inventory
In this episode, Kevin Lawton talks with Abby Naraki, CEO and founder of Stock, about the growing problem of excess inventory in the 3PL and e‑commerce space and how Stock connects that surplus to a vast network of nonprofits. Abby...
JV Ejercito Pushes for Creation of Inter-Agency Task Force on Middle East Conflict
Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito urged the Philippine government on March 23 to create an inter‑agency task force that would monitor and mitigate the economic and energy fallout from the escalating Middle East conflict. He cited Senate Resolution No. 43, which...
Middle East Oil Shock Hits Home for Smaller Japanese Companies
Smaller Japanese companies across auto parts, plastics, and trucking are feeling the impact of the largest Middle East oil‑supply disruption in decades. Crude prices have jumped to multi‑year highs, driving up fuel and raw‑material costs for firms that typically operate...
Mind Robotics Raises $500 Million to Build AI-Powered Industrial Robots for Real-World Deployment
Mind Robotics announced a $500 million Series A round, co‑led by Accel and Andreessen Horowitz, to accelerate its AI‑powered industrial robot platform. The financing follows a $115 million seed round and adds Accel partner Sameer Gandhi to the board. Leveraging Rivian’s manufacturing data...
Latin America Ups Cotton Traceability Drive
Latin America, home to both major cotton species, is launching a coordinated effort to become the global benchmark for traceable, sustainable cotton fibre. The International Cotton Advisory Committee reports that the region cultivates 2.7 million hectares, supporting 28.67 million producers and influencing...
CPO Crunch: Unleash the Best in Your Team
Vertex Pharmaceuticals' Chief Procurement Officer Connie Walters argues that procurement teams should be treated as business leaders rather than mere support functions. She emphasizes cultivating deep business insight, strategic commercial acumen, execution focus, relational intelligence, and an AI‑first mindset. Walters...
True Protein Automates Manufacturing Processes with NetSuite
Sydney‑based wellness brand True Protein has upgraded its operations by implementing Oracle NetSuite’s AI‑powered cloud ERP. The new system replaces spreadsheets and siloed tools, automating finance, inventory, manufacturing, warehousing and sales functions. NetSuite’s deployment, managed by Fusion5, has cut the...
Hexxabotics to Unveil Honeycomb-Based AS/RS with Shuttle-Style AMRs at LogiMAT
Hexxabotics will debut a honeycomb‑based automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) at LogiMAT 2026, merging autonomous mobile robots (Hexxabots) with a modular hexagonal grid. The design eliminates fixed rails and in‑rack electrification, promising higher cubic storage density and lower energy use....
The Price of Uncertainty: How Trade Volatility Is Breaking Chemical Supply Chains
Trade policy volatility is reshaping chemical supply chains, with U.S. chemical imports spiking to over $20 billion in March 2025 before plunging in April, leaving firms with excess inventory. The February 28 Iran‑Israel conflict triggered a 62% jump in Brent crude...
Albanese Highlights Manufacturing in Speech on Food and Beverage Sector
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told food and beverage leaders in Melbourne that Australian manufacturing is vital for the sector’s quality and resilience. He warned that higher fuel costs and global supply‑chain disruptions are straining producers. The government will boost domestic...
Hexagon Boosts Shopfloor Productivity with Advanced TubeInspect and BendingStudio XT
Hexagon has upgraded its TubeInspect inspection cell and BendingStudio XT software, delivering near‑instant, non‑contact measurement of tubes and wires directly on the shopfloor. The new release adds simultaneous multi‑part inspection, integrated support for handheld 3D scanners such as ATLASCAN Pro and HYPERSCAN,...
Taiwan Metro Alliance Meets in Singapore for the First Time
The Taiwan Metro Alliance held its inaugural meeting in Singapore, hosted by SMRT Corp, bringing together six Taiwanese metro operators. Participants focused on joint procurement initiatives, asset life‑cycle management, and strategies to grow non‑fare revenue. SMRT joined the alliance as...
‘METROLOGY BREW’ News Bulletin – 23rd March
The latest Metrology Brew bulletin highlights a surge in smart manufacturing technologies that combine advanced 3‑D measurement, AI‑driven analytics, and high‑speed computed tomography. Companies such as Measur3D, ActionPlas, Lumafield, and Wagon Automotive are deploying new CMMs, inline metrology cells, and...
India Coca‑Cola Bottler SLMG Beverages May Hike Prices Amid Rising Packaging Costs From West Asia War
India’s largest Coca‑Cola bottler, SLMG Beverages, is weighing selective price hikes as the Middle‑East war drives up costs for plastic bottles, caps, labels and cartons. The company, which posted a 49% sales jump to ₹6,773 crore and a 76% profit surge...
HS2 Firm Says New Steel Tariffs Will ‘Exacerbate’ Cost Pressures for UK Construction Industry
The UK government will double import duties on foreign steel to 50% and slash import quotas by 60% from July, aiming to protect domestic steelmakers. HS2 contractor Mace warned the move will exacerbate already‑inflated construction costs, as the Iran‑war energy...
Fredriksen Back in Dry Bulk Newbuilds with up to Eight Newcastlemaxes
John Fredriksen’s Seatankers Management has placed a firm order for four 210,000‑dwt Newcastlemax vessels, with options for four more, at China’s Panjin Dajin Offshore. The ships are priced at roughly $73.5 million each, bringing the confirmed contract value to just under...
European Car Makers Facing Black Hole in Electrifying Family SUVs
European manufacturers are grappling with the electrification of the C‑segment SUV, a segment that now accounts for roughly one‑fifth of all vehicle sales across Europe. These family‑oriented SUVs require long‑range batteries, typically nickel‑manganese‑cobalt chemistries, which are far more expensive than...
Hong Kong to Raise Postage Rates From April 13 Amid Surging Oil Prices
Hong Kong’s postal operator will raise its rates on April 13, with the price of a standard local letter climbing 9 percent to HK$2.40. Airmail to mainland China and Taiwan will rise to HK$3.90, while surface‑mail and other airmail categories see...
Bruton Bolsters VLCC Pipeline with Four-Ship Order at CIMC Raffles
Tor Olav Trøim‑backed Bruton has placed an order for four new VLCCs at Yantai’s CIMC Raffles. The vessels, based on the MARIC 319,000 dwt design with open‑loop scrubbers, are slated for delivery between January and July 2028 at $124.75 million each, totaling just...
The Future of Warehousing and Distribution: Five Critical Shifts to Watch
This year’s warehouse playbook pivots on five shifts: humanoid robots move from pilot projects to limited‑production tasks, reverse‑logistics becomes a core function, route optimization must happen in hours rather than weeks, load factor rises as the primary sustainability KPI, and...
Purus Adds to Samsung Heavy LNG Series
Singapore‑based gas owner Purus has exercised an option for an additional LNG carrier with Samsung Heavy Industries, pricing the contract at KRW 377.9 bn (about $252 m) and targeting delivery in Q2 2029. The newbuild follows a prior $503 m order for two 174,000‑cu m vessels...
Fragmenting Supply Chains Threaten Defense Without China
Global supply chains are fragmenting right now. From a risk perspective this means that every major piece of defense equipment destroyed in the Gulf, may be almost irreplaceable without China’s support. How did team USA get here? Failures of risk...
Will It Be Onwards and Upwards for the Dry Bulk Market in 2026?
Dry bulk freight surged in Q1 2026, with the Baltic Dry Index hitting 1,906 points—more than double the same period in 2025. Strong Chinese iron‑ore imports, record‑high Pilbara throughput, and a seasonal bauxite peak lifted capesize demand, while limited new...
Daiso to Enhance Demand Forecasting and Store and DC Ordering with RELEX
Daiso Industries has chosen RELEX Solutions to overhaul demand forecasting and automate replenishment across its domestic network of 4,625 stores and more than 20 distribution centers. The AI‑native platform will replace the retailer’s rule‑based, judgment‑driven ordering with data‑driven predictions, aiming...
U.S. LNG Gains vs Gulf Instability’s Massive Blowback
Gulf insecurity can serve U.S. LNG and geopolitical interests, writes @anasalhajji This is an alternative view that should be taken seriously My take is that it goes too far in treating strategic benefit as proof of strategic design The blowback to the...
Thorium Key to India’s Energy Self-Reliance Amid LPG Concerns: Expert
Amid escalating West‑Asia tensions that threaten LPG supplies, India faces heightened energy security risks, prompting experts to spotlight thorium as a long‑term solution. The country possesses roughly 25‑30% of the world’s thorium reserves, offering a domestic, low‑cost fuel for power...
U.S. Shipbuilding Needs Systemic Overhaul, Not Just Money
If you want to bring shipbuilding to the U.S. at the scale of China or South Korea or even Japan its not only going to take massive capital investment, but you also have to fundamentally change the way these businesses...
ADNOC Cuts LNG Output as Hormuz Closure Tightens Gas Market
Adnoc is now reducing LNG production because Strait of Hormuz is shut, tightening the global gas market 🇦🇪 ⚠️ Adnoc has “made temporary operational adjustments to production of Liquefied Natural Gas” They’re working with customers to fulfill commitments “wherever possible” https://t.co/dLBNlgiLER
Taiwan Scrambles with Chip Deals to Win Trump
Fast Chips, Big Money, 3:30 a.m. Calls: Taiwan’s Urgent Quest to Win Over Trump https://t.co/XAPflnhoCQ
Nvidia Warns U.S. Robotics Will Depend on China
Nvidia’s Huang calls China ‘formidable’ in robotics as firm bets on physical AI Huang says US robotics industry will have to rely on China’s supply chain despite US pioneering market... Yup...3D chess vice one dimensional game within Beltway.... https://t.co/rrFQq5IlpQ
Impending LNG Shock Threatens Europe and Asia for Years
The LNG shock is about to get real The last Gulf cargoes loaded before the war are now arriving After that, Europe & Asia hit the wall This is a major structural shock that may last years https://t.co/Dw60mbEoxn #LNG #Hormuz #Qatar #Pakistan #Bangladesh #Taiwan #EnergyCrisis...
Kharg Island Seizure Won’t Halt Iran’s Oil Exports
[MUST READ] Iran’s Kharg Island - U.S. seizure would not necessarily end exports or re-open the Strait: https://t.co/yRYH1g1UAM