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
2026 FleetOwner 500: For-Hire Fleets with the Most Trailers
J.B. Hunt Transport has claimed the top spot on FleetOwner’s 2026 For‑Hire list, overtaking FedEx as the largest U.S. carrier by trailer count. The ranking reshuffles most of the top ten, with ContainerPort Group moving to fourth, R+L Carriers rising to seventh, and TFI International slipping to tenth. FleetOwner’s annual list highlights ongoing volatility in the for‑hire trucking sector, marking the second consecutive year of major shifts beyond the top five. The data underscores how trailer volume remains a key metric of fleet scale and market influence.
Supply Chain 101: What’s Really Happening Between Amazon and USPS?
Amazon announced it will keep its partnership with the U.S. Postal Service but is accelerating the shift of parcels to its own delivery network. ShipMatrix data shows Amazon now handles roughly the same volume as USPS, and the retailer could...
AI Is Making Supply Chain Decisions, But It’s Flying Blind
AI is proliferating across supply‑chain functions, but many firms misuse it by treating algorithms as autonomous decision‑makers rather than advisory tools. Executives often deploy AI on legacy, checkpoint‑based data that is stale and incomplete, leading to confident yet inaccurate recommendations....
Shipsy Launches AgentFleet, an AI Workforce for Logistics Operations
Shipsy has unveiled AgentFleet, an AI‑driven workforce that assigns virtual agents to core logistics roles such as customer experience, driver support, finance and dispute resolution. The agents monitor signals, make rule‑based decisions and execute tasks across TMS, ERP and third‑party...
Should the Gulf Arab States Join the War Against Iran?
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have sophisticated air forces capable of striking Iranian missile and drone sites, but they have so far limited their involvement to defensive measures. Their fleets include modern F-15s, Eurofighter Typhoons and advanced F-16...
GoVolta Launches First Low-Cost Train From Amsterdam to Berlin
GoVolta, a Dutch low‑cost rail startup, launched its first international service on 19 March, linking Amsterdam Centraal to Berlin Spandau with three weekly trips. Fares start at €10 one‑way and average €30, directly targeting budget airlines. The operator uses 13 refurbished...
ECJ Opens Door to Several Hundred Million Euro TAC Refunds in Germany
The European Court of Justice has struck down Germany’s cap on track access charges (TAC) for local passenger services, a rule that forced rail freight operators to pay inflated fees since 2016. The decision ends the discriminatory charge structure and...
Siemens Invests $165 M to Create 350 Jobs in North and South Carolina
Siemens announced a $165 million investment in North and South Carolina that will add 350 jobs across new and expanded facilities. The move expands U.S. manufacturing capacity for low‑ and medium‑voltage products that power AI data centers and supports rapid AI‑driven...
The Future 5 2025-2026 – Introducing Flowie
Flowie has been selected for Spend Matters’ Future 5 list, a recognition by The Hackett Group of emerging procurement innovators. The platform positions itself as an AI‑native finance and procurement orchestration layer that plugs into existing ERPs such as SAP, Sage...
Future 5 Procuretech Providers 2025-2026: Why We Chose Flowie
Spend Matters unveiled its 2025‑2026 “Future 5” procuretech list, naming Flowie among five startups poised to reshape the market. Flowie offers an AI‑driven, no‑code orchestration platform that links ERP, CRM, treasury and compliance systems in real time. The vendor meets the...
DeSL, TSG Partner to Enhance Digital Supply Chain for Textiles
DeSL has entered a strategic agreement with Textile Solutions Group (TSG) to broaden its AI‑driven product lifecycle management (PLM) platform across the global textile and apparel market. The partnership will integrate DeSL’s SaaS PLM suite with TSG’s manufacturing and execution...
Alstom Modernises ScotRail’s Class 222 Fleet
Alstom and ScotRail have sealed a ten‑year, £250 million Technical Support and Spares Supply Agreement covering 22 five‑car Class 222 trains. The deal includes an £80 million refurbishment programme that upgrades interiors, exteriors and onboard technology. Alstom will provide maintenance, spare‑parts logistics and...
Poland Approves PKP Cargo’s Restructuring Plan
Poland's Judge‑Commissioner has approved PKP Cargo's restructuring plan, clearing the way for the rail operator to settle with creditors and shed the "in restructuring" suffix. The plan, submitted in June 2025, focuses on boosting liquidity, reducing debt, and improving operational...
When to Outsource Fulfillment: The 3PL Decision Guide for E-Commerce
E‑commerce brands typically start fulfillment in‑house, but rapid sales growth, rising shipping costs, and multi‑channel complexity often trigger a shift to third‑party logistics (3PL). The guide highlights five key signals—order‑volume spikes, escalating carrier fees, tighter delivery expectations, operational distraction, and...
What Does the Iran Crisis Mean for the Global Economy?
The joint US‑Israeli strikes on Iran on 28 February escalated into a full‑scale conflict that has choked the Strait of Hormuz, sending Brent crude from under $70 to a volatile $90‑$100 range. Disruptions to oil, sulfur, ammonia and urea shipments are...
Wagon Automotive Implements Inline Metrology Cell for Complex Chassis Components
Wagon Automotive has installed an automated inline metrology cell that combines a KUKA robot, Leica Absolute Scanner AS1 with an AT960 laser tracker, a motorized turntable, and Eleven Dynamics’ EDAS software. The system replaces manual measurement and legacy CMMs, delivering high‑precision,...
High-Speed CMOS X-Ray Detection for AI Chip Inspection Launched
Rayence has launched the Flash Series, a high‑speed CMOS X‑ray detector tailored for semiconductor automated X‑ray inspection (AXI) and 3D CT systems. The platform delivers 49.5 µm pixel resolution at up to 70 frames per second, while withstanding X‑ray doses of 20,000 Gy....
BioCina Launches Manufacturing Program for Patrys’ Injectable Delirium Therapy
BioCina has launched a comprehensive Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) program for Patrys Ltd’s injectable formulation RLS-2201, a proprietary quetiapine product aimed at treating acute delirium in intensive‑care patients. The manufacturing effort is based in BioCina’s sterile facility in Perth...
From Ports to Prices: The Inflationary Effects of Global Supply Chain Disruptions
IMF economists published a paper quantifying how shipping delays translate into consumer price inflation. By constructing a port‑to‑port shipping time index from AIS maritime data and linking it to granular trade and price information, they find that a 100‑hour delay...
TRIMEDX-AIQ Adds Supply Chain Automation, Advanced Predictive Failure Intelligence
TRIMEDX unveiled an upgraded AI‑native platform, TRIMEDX‑AIQ, that adds automated parts ordering, purchase‑order automation, and predictive failure forecasting to its clinical supply chain suite. Leveraging a dataset of over 6.1 million device records spanning 25 years, the system anticipates equipment degradation and...
Inventory Accuracy in Manufacturing
Manufacturers relying on handwritten counts and spreadsheets face frequent stockouts and excess inventory, disrupting production schedules and cash flow. The article argues that manual inventory is a self‑inflicted liability that hampers scaling and compliance. Switching to an ERP‑driven, real‑time inventory...
Compliance Crackdown Shrinks Capacity, Tightening Freight Market
I am convinced there are just some folks in freight that just want truckers to suffer more. They will tell you that the compliance developments won’t be impactful. Then the market tightens. You ask them if it’s volume, they say...
Cosco Tankers Poised to Exit Gulf Amid Hormuz Speculation
Cosco tankers positioned to exit Middle East Gulf as speculation mounts over Hormuz crossing ▶️Cosco and China Merchants shares rallied on unverified reports that Chinese shipowners have been told to prepare for Hormuz transit ▶️Seven Cosco tankers are gathered in central Middle...
Fertiliser Shortages Could Hit Australia in Late May, June: Collins
Minister Julie Collins warned that fertiliser shortages could hit Australian growers by late May or June if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. While current stocks cover the early cropping season, 95% of Australia’s urea—65% shipped through the Persian Gulf...
Push for Black Sea‑style Safe Corridor in Hormuz
Call for a Black Sea-style safe shipping corridor for Hormuz ▶️States, industry groups looking for ways to resupply stranded ships and change crews ▶️IMO could ‘encourage’ a safe shipping corridor, but it would need countries to implement it ▶️Russia blasts lack of regard...
Post‑war Tanker Boom Ends, Crude Lifts Plunge Sharply
Concerns mount over rate hangover after wartime tanker boom ends ▶️Global seaborne crude liftings volume plunged last week; alternatives to MEG are replacing only half of lost VLCC tonne-mile demand, according to Vortexa ⏩️Oil at ses is down ⏩️Nobody will keep oil at...
How Finnish Supermarkets Are Central to the Country's Defence
Finnish supermarket chains S Group and Kesko are integral to the nation’s comprehensive security strategy, maintaining detailed contingency plans and strategic food reserves. They cooperate with the National Emergency Supply Organisation and participate in government‑led preparedness committees and training exercises. The...
Prefer Energy Supplies That Bypass Religious Conflict Zones
1. Buy your needed energy inputs from a region that needs to traverse a religious war zone 2. Buy your needed energy inputs from a region that does not need to traverse a religious war zone
Middle East LNG Disruption
Disruption of LNG supplies from Middle East showing what an excellent idea it has been from our wonderful political class to run down the North Sea.
3.1M SF Logistics Park Slated For Oakley In East Bay
Oakley’s city council approved the Bridgehead Industrial Project, a 3.2 million‑square‑foot logistics campus on 164 acres of eastern Contra Costa County. The development will consist of ten buildings, with construction slated to take six to ten years, and will become the largest...
Airlines Face Jet Fuel Shortage, Cancellations Loom
Airlines have been warned that they will face jet fuel shortages as soon as next month, risking flight cancellations
Brent Surge Won’t Reach $150‑$200 Amid Capacity Limits
Brent is up 70% in the past month. This prices Strait of Hormuz tanker traffic at half its capacity indefinitely. With the Saudis diverting lots of oil to the Red Sea and Iran continuing to export, we're already almost at...
Free Robotic Learning Event in Northern Nevada
OnRobot is hosting a free, in‑person “Build Your Automation Roadmap” event in Reno on April 9, 2026, showcasing FANUC robots and end‑of‑arm tooling for manufacturers. The session targets metal fabrication, CNC machining, electronics, aerospace, food & beverage, and industrial equipment firms...
Robotics Revolutionizes Supply Chain, Logistics, and Warehousing
#WhosNext? Mail sorters? Package sorters? Just look at the revolution in #SupplyChain, #Logistics and #Warehouse Operations that #Robotics makes possible. Amazing or what? (GiGadgets) https://t.co/dDvWhJ7TkA
Gas Prices Won’t Fall: Global Supply, Not Local Shortages
This won't lower gasoline prices. The issue is overall global supply and not acute domestic shortages caused by transportation shortfalls.
Turkmenistan Leader in Beijing; China-Iran War; Rural Land Contracts; US Intelligence Does Not See Invasion of Taiwan in 2027; "Open...
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Turkmenistan’s leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in Beijing, reaffirming the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations. Xi emphasized unwavering support for Turkmenistan’s sovereignty, neutrality, and independence, while urging deeper collaboration in the natural‑gas sector. The dialogue...
US Navy Holds Power to Shut Strategic Strait
Only if the United States lets them. The US Navy can close the strait at anytime to anyone paying the enemy.
Saudi Crude Loadings Persist Despite Red Sea Attack Rumors
Lots of chatter in the oil market about whether a Saudi refinery in the Red Sea was attacked or not. One thing, however, appears clear: crude loadings at Yanbu and Al Muajjiz continue as normal, with 4 tankers getting their...
Yale Lift Truck to Share Automation Experience at MODEX
Yale Lift Truck Technologies will showcase a suite of automated lift trucks and operator‑assist solutions at the MODEX supply‑chain exhibition in Atlanta. The booth features an interactive Automated Lift Truck Portal that lets visitors map routes without coding, the Reliant...
Freight Broker Roles: Notoriously Hard to Explain Outside Trucking
Trying to explain the role of a freight broker to anyone outside the trucking industry is…. Challenging.
Container Congestion Relaxes Post‑Iran Shock, Rates Stay High
Container port congestion eases after initial Iran shock Initial disruption to container supply chains from the Middle East crisis appears to have eased but rates remain elevated. https://t.co/fvMVOw29Pz
IMO Condemns Iran Shipping Attacks, 92 Nations Support
IMO states condemn Iran’s attacks on shipping ▶️92 countries back motion for declaration condemning Iran ▶️China said such a motion ‘not conducive to solving the issue’ ▶️Iran says it is acting in self-defence in response to US and Israeli attacks https://t.co/g2z8WA9O2b’s-attacks-on-shipping
ATA’s Endorsement Signals Crucial Congressional Influence
We are all critical of the ATA, but having the organization endorse this law is very important. The ATA is a very important lobbyist group that has an outsized influence on Congress. They are on the right side of history...
Dalilah’s Law Cuts CDL Grace Period, Boosts Truckload
Dalilah’s law is a massive pivot from the FMCSA rule. It would mandate that current non-domiciled CDLs are banned 1 year out from the enactment date. The FMCSA offered 5 years. If this passes, go long truckload.
US Navy Ready, Needs Private Shipyard Investment From Europe
It’s not even that the US Navy is unwilling to secure world trade, they are eager to do so. We have the people, resources, systems and weapons to do so. What we don’t have is shipyard investment. But guess what? Our...
Dalilah's Law Bans Non‑Domiciled CDL Drivers, Limits Foreign Brokers
Not only will Dalilah's law permanently eliminate non-domiciled CDLs, it will also restrict foreign dispatchers and freight brokers https://t.co/zQYNP3Ja4g
Rising Oil Prices Spur Medium‑Term Freight Demand
Citi: High oil prices will drive additional freight demand "North American production boosting freight demand over the medium-term." https://t.co/nzbc3PYiKa
DOT Reforms Spark Permanent Trucking Super‑cycle, Boosting Truckload Assets
This would make the efforts by the DOT permanent and set off a trucking super cycle Truckload carriers would be one of the most investible asset-classes
Spot Rates Outpace Fuel Costs by $0.28 per Mile
Trucking spot market over 6 months. Trucking spot rates are up $.50/mile, while fuel up $.22/mile during that period https://t.co/c9g69l8Rkr
New SONAR Index Reveals Truckers' Diesel Cost per Mile
New index inside of SONAR: The cost of diesel per mile for truckers. MPG.USA uses 7 miles per gallon to calculate the cost of fuel for truckers. https://t.co/N8r6Tx66IO