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
Veritiv and Packsize Expand Partnership to Advance Automated, Right-Sized Corrugated Packaging Solutions
Veritiv has broadened its strategic partnership with Packsize to accelerate automated, right‑sized corrugated packaging solutions. The collaboration blends Packsize’s on‑demand box‑making technology with Veritiv’s distribution network, promising faster turnaround for niche orders and reduced material waste. Customers will benefit from agile packaging operations, measurable efficiency gains, and lower carbon footprints. The expanded plan positions both firms to capture growth in sustainable, automated packaging markets.
Middle East War Will ‘Amplify’ Volatility in Global Supply Chains: Cosco
Cosco Shipping warned that the ongoing war in the Middle East will heighten volatility across global supply chains and speed up regionalization and nearshoring trends in 2026. The liner‑shipping and terminal operator highlighted weak macro‑economic momentum and a severe external...
FedEx Earnings Preview: What to Expect Today
I've had my head buried in work today and forgot to share that FedEx reports later today. I'll have a blog post on my thoughts either tomorrow or Saturday (heading back to SC tomorrow (😉) Here's a good article from Barron's...
Bezos Plans $100B Fund to Automate Manufacturing with AI
"Jeff Bezos is in early talks to raise $100 billion for a new fund that would buy up manufacturing companies and seek to use AI technology to accelerate their path to automation." https://t.co/UmA1I3g0xp
North Sea Ports Complete Digital Container Release Process
Germany’s North Sea ports have completed the final integration step of their digital container import release process, requiring transport firms and truck drivers to connect to the German Ports IT platform. The Secure Release Order procedure now mandates a digital...
Apple Shifts Production: 25% of iPhones Made in India
Apple Now Makes About 25% of iPhones in India After China Pivot. More on this in the Chartbook Top Links today. https://t.co/qnDkCJRBFG
OOCL SUNFLOWER Collapse Triggers Cargo Delays, Inspections
The vessel OOCL SUNFLOWER encountered heavy weather en-route to Long Beach and suffered a container stack collapse. Flexport has begun notifying all customers with cargo on the ship to expect delays and inspect any containers that arrive for damaged goods....
4 Ways to Streamline Supply-Chain Localization
Manufacturers are turning to supply‑chain localization to reduce disruption risk, focusing on standardized components, remanufacturing, top‑down sustainability, and AI‑driven scenario planning. Standardizing parts widens the supplier pool and shortens lead times, while AI‑enabled remanufacturing cuts raw‑material use and freight costs....
Virginia’s Deeper Harbor Could Allow Higher Usage on ULCVs
Virginia Port Authority completed a dredging project deepening Norfolk Harbor to 55 feet, making it the deepest East Coast port. The added five feet of depth and channel widening enable two‑way traffic and better accommodate ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs). Final...
EU and Australia Near Trade Deal Completion Next Week
The world moves on: "EU, Australia set to conclude trade talks early next week" https://t.co/0QuEvOaog1
Ernest King Lifted Oil Sanctions on Japan During War
Ernest King famously allowed the Japanese to keep trading oil and lifted sanctions on them in the middle of the war.
HORIZON MICROTECHNOLOGIES COMBINES MICRO-AM WITH ADVANCED COATINGS FOR FUNCTIONALISED 3D MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES
Horizon Microtechnologies unveiled a micro‑additive manufacturing (micro‑AM) workflow that prints monolithic 3D microfluidic structures directly from CAD and then applies proprietary functional coatings. The process eliminates traditional bonding, lithography and assembly steps, delivering leak‑free channels, integrated microneedle arrays, and embedded...
OmniTRAX Adds Arm & Hammer to Rail Network
OmniTRAX announced a long‑term rail switching agreement with Church & Dwight’s Arm & Hammer baking‑soda plant in Green River, Wyoming. The facility produces pharmaceutical‑grade sodium bicarbonate on site atop the region’s massive trona deposits, which supply about 90 % of global supply. This marks...
Toyota Suppliers Seek Relief From USMCA Review
Toyota is mobilizing its extensive U.S. supplier network ahead of the federal review of the United States‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement set to start July 1. The automaker warns that current tariff structures, including a potential 25% levy on auto parts, are straining more...
AirCairo Selects Aeroprime for India GSA Services
AirCairo has appointed Aeroprime Group to act as its General Sales Agent for cargo operations in India and the United Arab Emirates, extending a partnership that previously covered passenger sales. The deal gives Aeroprime responsibility for cargo sales, operational coordination...
ScotRail Confirms Class 222 Leasing Deal to Enable Withdrawal of HSTs
ScotRail announced a lease of up to 30 Class 222 diesel‑multiple‑units to replace its aging InterCity 125 High Speed Trains (HSTs) on long‑distance routes. The deal, signed with a European rolling‑stock lessor, will see the new fleet enter service from...
Inside Jobs Fuel Freight Fraud and Cargo Theft
A lot of freight fraud and cargo theft happens via inside jobs. Criminal gangs send low level foot soldiers into these jobs
Reefer Shippers Play Waiting Game with Boxes Stuck Outside Persian Gulf
Cold‑chain carriers are forced to pause reefer movements to the Middle East after the war erupted on Feb. 28, leaving containers stranded at ports outside the Persian Gulf. Ocean carriers have suspended acceptance of refrigerated, dangerous and special cargo in the...
How to Successfully Migrate a Control System
Erik Cornelsen, a seasoned automation engineer, outlines a systematic approach to migrating control system code, emphasizing verification of auto‑migrated blocks and rigorous testing of rewritten logic. He stresses thorough PID review, including scaling, scan times, and dynamic simulation, while recommending industry‑standard...
Nvidia Signals Comeback in China After Months of AI Chip Restrictions
Nvidia announced it has obtained several U.S. export licenses, allowing the company to restart production and shipments of AI chips to Chinese customers. CEO Jensen Huang said the supply chain is “getting fired up,” signaling a potential revival of a...
Extended Mideast Conflict Would Slow Trade and Growth, W.T.O. Warns
The World Trade Organization warned that the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran could further depress global trade in 2026. WTO forecasts goods trade growth at just 1.9%, a sharp decline from the 4.6% expected in 2025. Elevated crude oil and...
Velotic Launches Combining Former Proficy, Kepware, ThingWorx
Velotic has launched as an independent industrial software firm, merging GE Vernova’s Proficy, PTC’s Kepware and ThingWorx under the financial backing of private‑equity firm TPG. The company is led by former Rockwell Automation executive Brian Shepherd as CEO and PTC...
SpiderOak Wins New UAS Systems Contract
SpiderOak has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems PMO to conduct supply‑chain analysis and cybersecurity assessments for vendors in the Drone Dominance Program. The company will apply its Advanced Cyber Threat & Resilience Assessments (ACTRA)...
Amazon to Invest over 5 Billion Euros in Poland
Amazon announced a €5 billion investment in Poland between 2026 and 2028, adding to the €10 billion it has already spent since 2012. The funding will support a new 200,000‑square‑meter fulfillment center in Dobromierz equipped with 5,000 robots, expanding its logistics footprint...
EcoNavis Launches Tool to Gauge Savings From Propeller Boss Caps
EcoNavis has launched an online savings calculator that estimates fuel savings from retrofitting ships with its Eco Boss Cap. The tool requires only basic vessel data and projects annual savings across varying bunker price scenarios. With bunker costs up more than 150 %...
DHL Expands White-Glove Logistics for Construction of AI Data Centers
DHL announced a major expansion of its North American data‑center logistics network, adding ten dedicated warehouses that will total more than seven million square feet by 2026. The new sites are purpose‑built for hyperscale and colocation operators constructing AI‑focused data...
Lowe’s Expands Partnership with RELEX and Accenture
Lowe’s announced an expanded partnership with RELEX Solutions and Accenture to create a unified, AI‑driven inventory replenishment platform covering its entire product assortment, stores and distribution centers. The collaboration builds on RELEX’s existing seasonal‑business support and adds automated ordering, stock‑out...
Nigerian Firms Embrace Kit-Based EV Assembly for Cost Savings
Nigerian firms are increasingly using kit‑based assembly to produce electric vehicles, with Saglev Micromobility partnering with China’s Dongfeng to build 18‑seat electric vans. The approach sidesteps high import duties on fully built EVs, making electric vans, minibuses and three‑wheelers more...
Hapag-Lloyd to Invest $1 Billion Across Indian Maritime Verticals
German carrier Hapag‑Lloyd announced a $1 billion investment programme to expand its presence in India’s maritime sector. The plan includes re‑flagging four container ships to the Indian registry and taking a stake in the Vadhavan deep‑water harbour project north of Mumbai....
Vodafone Unlocks New Pan-European Logistics Hub
Vodafone Group’s procurement arm has opened a new logistics hub in Bettembourg, Luxembourg, to centralise storage and distribution of mobile, fibre and fixed‑network equipment. The facility leverages Luxembourg’s transport links, allowing Vodafone to reach all European markets within 24 hours...
The Iran War Tests Taiwan’s Energy Resilience
The US‑Israel war with Iran is disrupting Middle‑East oil and LNG shipments, exposing Taiwan’s heavy reliance on imported energy. Taiwan imports 95% of its energy, over 99% of oil and gas, and holds about 150 days of oil reserves but...
How to Capitalize Quickly to Address Hyperconnected Industrial Demand
The ARC Advisory Group’s 2026 Industry Leadership Forum highlighted a widening gap between legacy workflows and the hyper‑connected reality of modern manufacturing. Only about 12.9% of firms have successfully built industrial data fabrics that link market signals to real‑time production....
POLA and POLB Report Annual February Volume Gains
The Port of Los Angeles posted 824,323 TEU in February, a 3% year‑over‑year increase and the second‑highest February on record, with imports up 5% and exports up 7%. The Port of Long Beach recorded a modest 0.3% annual gain to...
Hormuz Shutdown Spikes Oil, Derails Bitcoin Rate‑cut Hopes
The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly 20% of the world's oil supply. Iran has now completely disrupted it and Brent crude surged to $115 this morning. The Fed can't cut its way through a supply shock. And Bitcoin's entire bull case for...
Scotland-France Ferry Link Moves Closer with £3 Million UK Government Commitment
The UK government has pledged £3 million from its Growth Mission Fund to upgrade Border Force and customs facilities at Rosyth port, paving the way for a direct ferry service to Dunkirk. The investment is contingent on a commercial agreement between...
Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas Extends ULD Management Contract with Jettainer
Spanish carrier Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas has renewed its ULD management agreement with Jettainer for several more years. The extension keeps Jettainer responsible for supplying and maintaining the airline’s unit load devices while introducing advanced IoT tracking technology across the...
Three Ways AI Can Help CSCOs Navigate Emerging Supply Chain Cost Pressures
AI is reshaping how chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) confront rising cost pressures by exposing hidden cost‑to‑serve drivers, enabling real‑time, SKU‑level optimization, and powering scenario modeling of geopolitical disruptions. By integrating siloed procurement, logistics and planning data, AI uncovers margin...
Tesla Builds 10 GWh LFP Plant in Nevada with Chinese Tech
The Electric: U.S. is Challenging China's Dominance of Iron Batteries But. Tesla plans to start making 10 GWh of LFP batteries in Nevada starting later this year, using equipment it bought from China’s battery behemoth, Contemporary Amperex Technology. https://t.co/hMdCh5S1di
Seven Critical Supply G
Seven key demands for products/supply impacted by the Iran war. What if inventories are insufficient or are depleted? Alternatives in small windows?
Descartes Expands AI Innovation on Global Logistics Network with AI Agents for Freight Visibility
Descartes Systems Group has added a suite of AI agents, OpsForce, to its Global Logistics Network to automate freight‑visibility workflows. The agents have linked an additional 435,000 drivers and generated over 720,000 AI‑driven outreach interactions. Customers report up to 100%...
European Freight Rates Set to Drop as Diesel Soars
[Editor's Pick] European Freight Rates Face Immediate Corrections on Soaring Diesel Prices - https://t.co/0yXOKgPT8A @TransporeonUS @TrimbleCorpNews #dieselprices #EU #trucking #transportation #logistics #supplychain
Iran Conflict Threatens Chip Makers' Middle East Fuel Supply
"Iran war could cause supply chain kinks: Taiwan and Korea, top chip producers, rely on the Middle East for nearly 70% of their crude oil imports, and 20-25% of LNG imports." - BofA on AI capex
Signalling Contract Awarded for Łódź High-Speed Tunnel
Polish construction firm Porr awarded Alstom a contract to design, deliver and integrate signalling systems for the Łódź high‑speed tunnel, a key component of the Port Polska “Y” railway line. The tunnel will stretch 4.6 km, feature a 14‑metre diameter, and support...
Iran Seeks Strait Tolls, Turning Conflict Into Revenue
Iran. Proposes tolls on maritime for transiting the Strait of Hormuz. If they can pull it off, Iran would gain a revenue benefit from the war.
China Voted Against the World on Fentanyl. Days Later, It Announced a Perfunctory Crackdown.
China was the sole nation to vote against a U.N. resolution aimed at tightening control over fentanyl precursor chemicals, prompting sharp criticism from Washington. Days later, Hubei Province announced a limited crackdown that resulted in 22 cases, seven arrests and...
DIMOS Advances Expansion of Cargo Site at Budapest Airport
DIMOS announced that Phase 2 of its cargo‑site expansion at Budapest Airport will launch in summer 2026, building on the successful Phase 1 rollout. The project adds truck dock systems, castor decks and mobile Pallet Mover conveyors to boost ULD capacity and streamline...
Schneider Electric and EcoVadis Announce Partnership to Decarbonize Global Healthcare Supply Chains
Schneider Electric and sustainability rating firm EcoVadis have launched a partnership called “Energize” to accelerate decarbonization of the global healthcare supply chain. The collaboration focuses on reducing Scope 3 emissions by combining Schneider’s energy procurement expertise with EcoVadis’s supplier assessment platform....
‘Rail Won’t Replace Ocean Freight’ Amid Middle East Chaos
The recent Israel‑U.S. strike on Iran has shut the Strait of Hormuz, halting hundreds of vessels and unsettling the Europe‑Asia supply chain. Experts say rail, particularly the China‑Europe “Middle Corridor,” can serve as a credible backup but lacks the scale...
LATAM Partners to Reduce Salmon Shipment Emissions
LATAM Cargo announced a partnership with forwarder Andes Integración Logística and salmon exporter AquaChile to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on a three‑tonne salmon shipment from Chile to the United States. The initiative allocated more than 350 litres of SAF, delivering...
Customs Audits Reveal Hidden Tariff Overpayments
You’re probably overpaying tariffs. A lot. Complexity, classification errors, outdated rates and fragmented data often hide the problem. Customs audits expose it – and recover the money. If you import at scale, this is worth a read: https://t.co/LSAQcgO4D5 #customsaudit https://t.co/5ImA8wSHUS