Today's Supply Chain Pulse
Strait of Hormuz closure stalls oil price surge despite 100‑day shutdown
The strategic waterway has been shut for 100 days, yet oil prices have not spiked. Prices fell after a U.S.–Iran deal was announced, and analysts warn that any relief to the oil market could take months to materialize.
Also developing:
By the numbers: GIA acquires 30% stake in De Beers' Tracr blockchain platform
Tehran Vows to Strike Gulf Oil, Gas Facilities
Iran pledged to strike oil and gas facilities across the Persian Gulf after a missile attack damaged its South Pars gas field, a joint Iran‑Qatar reserve. Tehran named Saudi, UAE and Qatari sites as legitimate targets, including the Samref refinery and Ras Laffan complex. The threat pushed Brent crude above $109 per barrel, highlighting the risk of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. The move marks a rare escalation from diplomatic protest to direct attacks on regional energy infrastructure.
No Viable Short‑term Plan to Open Strait without Troops
i’ve yet to hear a workable near term (next 4-6 weeks) plan for how to open the strait that doesn’t involve us boots on the ground.
Did Owner-Ops Bank More Money in '25? Cost, Income Trends Live Update March 24
The American Trucking Brokers Service (ATBS) will host its first 2026 Owner‑Operator Trends update on March 24, focusing on mileage, rates, fuel costs and net income. Recent data show owner‑operators achieving an average fuel economy of about 7.5 mpg, while spot...
Dematic Redefines Warehouse Intelligence with Launch of Command Center
Dematic announced Command Center, a vendor‑agnostic, cloud‑based intelligence platform that unifies real‑time monitoring, AI‑driven decision support, and analytics for warehouse operations. Unveiled at LogiMAT 2026 and showcased at MODEX 2026, it aggregates data from automation, software, and manual processes into a single...
REC Board to Review Fourth Interim Dividend for FY26 Amid Mixed Corporate Earnings
REC Ltd's board convenes today to deliberate a fourth interim dividend for FY26, a move that could signal confidence despite volatile earnings across the Indian corporate landscape. Analysts watch the outcome closely, noting contrasting profit trends at peers and fiscal...
MAXOLUTION® Introduces a Standardized Mobile Robotic Platform with Contactless Charging
MAXOLUTION, an SEW‑EURODRIVE company, launched the Mobile Robot Platform 1600 (MR P1600), a standardized, modular robot designed for pallet transport in factories and warehouses. The platform offers up to 1 600 kg payload, 1.6 m/s speed, and optional contactless inductive charging via MOVITRANS solutions....
Road Projects at Risk as Bitumen Supplies Tighten
Australia’s bitumen stocks are dwindling as Middle‑East conflicts disrupt supplies from Asian refineries, prompting the Australian Flexible Pavement Association (AFPA) to warn of possible depletion within weeks. Exporters have invoked force‑majeure clauses, cancelling contracts and driving price forecasts above a...
7 Best Employee Training Platforms for Manufacturing Teams in 2026
Manufacturers face a talent shortage, with 49,000 UK factory jobs vacant in April 2025, prompting a need for rapid upskilling. A new ranking of seven employee training platforms evaluates them on compliance automation, mobile/offline access, multilingual capability, IoT integration, and...
UNFI Will Close Racine, Wis., Plant, Laying Off 443 Workers
United Natural Foods (UNFI) announced the closure of its 425,000‑square‑foot Racine, Wisconsin distribution center, eliminating 443 positions. Operations will shift to a newer facility in Joliet, Illinois, where the company is installing modern technology to boost capacity. The move coincides...
Trump Admin Waives Jones Act for 60 Days
The White House has temporarily waived the Jones Act for 60 days, easing U.S. vessel restrictions amid heightened geopolitical tension. Simultaneously, the war in Iran and a Greek tanker attack in the Black Sea have driven up container rates and...
New at Mouser: Digi Connect Sensor XRT-M for IoT, Industrial, Sensor, and Gateway Applications
Mouser Electronics has begun shipping Digi International’s new Digi Connect Sensor XRT‑M, a rugged LTE‑M cellular gateway designed for zero‑infrastructure IoT monitoring. The battery‑or‑solar powered device offers edge processing, cloud connectivity via Digi Axess, and IP68 protection for harsh environments. It...
OOCL Sunflower Reaches Long Beach After Losing Containers in Pacific Storm
The ultra‑large container ship OOCL Sunflower arrived at the Port of Long Beach after a North Pacific storm caused it to lose 32 containers overboard and damage 57 more on deck. The incident, which occurred on March 3 south of the...
UNFI Ramps up AI, Digital Push Across Supply Chain
United Natural Foods (UNFI) is accelerating its AI and digital transformation by expanding the RELEX supply‑chain planning platform across its distribution network, with a dozen centers slated to go live next week and a full rollout expected by the end...
Baltic Towers to Supply Baltica 2 Towers
Baltic Towers has signed a supply agreement with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy to provide the largest batch of offshore wind turbine towers for the Baltica 2 project. The 2027‑commissioned farm, co‑developed by Grupa PGE and Ørsted, will deliver power to roughly 2.5 million customers...
Lufthansa Cargo Integrates Add-On Services Into Booking Process
German carrier Lufthansa Cargo has embedded optional add‑on services directly into its online booking flow, allowing shippers to select and price extras with a few clicks. The initial rollout offers Sustainable Choice, Personal Supervision and smartULD, with toDoor delivery and...
Trump Likely to Block Russia's Oil Shipments to Cuba
russia sending two shipments of oil. and gas to…cuba. will president trump order interdiction? i’d say pretty good chance he will.
AMD Keeping Samsung Close Amid Memory Shortage
AMD has entered a strategic agreement with Samsung to secure next‑generation HBM4 memory amid a broader industry shortage. The partnership aims to lock in supply for AMD's upcoming AI‑focused GPUs, addressing concerns raised after the company warned of potential shortages...
War Over Ships and Tariffs, Not Hormuz Opening
Let's unpack this.. What if the White House has no intention of reopening the Strait of Hormuz? What if this war is really about ships & tariffs? I had a long discussion with senior DOE official yesterday on background. I can’t share...
Maritime Dominance Claim Clashes with Hormuz Reopening Failure
We chased commercial tankers half way across the world and called it maritime dominance but can’t reopen the Strait of Hormuz?
ENCY Partners with Factory of the Future to Expand Connected Manufacturing
ENCY Software has become a partner in the Dutch Factory of the Future initiative, joining 21 other technology firms to showcase a connected manufacturing ecosystem. The collaboration emphasizes linking engineering data, CAM post‑processing, and CNC automation into a continuous digital...
Old Photo Misleads: Viaduct Now Connected, Track Laying
They keep showing this years old picture. That viaduct is connected and they are now laying track
Jones Act Waivers Push U.S. Shipping Costs Higher
Argus: Early Jones Act waiver fixtures are coming in well above recent domestic benchmarks, signaling a sharp rise in U.S. coastwise shipping costs as foreign-flag tonnage now enters the market. https://t.co/kXsOyRdoaw
MANUFACTURING & AUTOMATION eXCHANGE (MAX) DEBUTS NEXT WEEK IN NASHVILLE, SPOTLIGHTING THE FUTURE OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING IN THE SOUTHEAST
The Manufacturing & Automation eXchange (MAX) launches March 24‑26 in Nashville, bringing together the full manufacturing ecosystem to spotlight AI, robotics, and digital transformation in the fast‑growing Southeast. Produced by BNP Media, the event features six pre‑conference workshops, a two‑day...
Seamless Products Depend on Robust Supply Chain Coordination
Every product has a journey—raw materials ➝ factory ➝ customer. It looks simple, but behind it are constant adjustments, coordination, and problem-solving. When it works, it feels seamless. That’s the power of a strong supply chain. 🚚 https://t.co/CVEBanvR6l
Warehouse Inefficiencies Drain Margins Hidden From Procurement Focus
Most supply chain leaders obsess over procurement savings and demand planning accuracy. Meanwhile, their warehouse quietly bleeds margin — through poor layout, undertrained staff, outdated tech, and safety shortcuts nobody wants to talk about. This edition changes that. https://t.co/abRK9zzCJN via @LinkedIn
FedEx to Shutter 9 New York Parcel Centers
FedEx announced the closure of nine parcel centers in New York and one in Pennsylvania as the final phase of its Network 2.0 integration. The program consolidates legacy express and ground operations into a single surface network, aiming to cut excess...
Three Weeks of Strait Closure Sparks Ongoing Chaos
Approaching 3 weeks of Strait closure and no end in sight. Crazy things are happening out there.
Iran Attacks Abandoned Malta‑flagged Container Ship Safeen Prestige
Looks like Iran struck the abandoned Safeen Prestige, a 23k ton, Malta-flagged container ship, previously hit on March 4th and abandoned. https://t.co/gs0BwcrHY2
HarborLab, Danaos Collaborate on Fully Integrated Port Cost Management Solution
HarborLab has partnered with Danaos Management Consultants to launch the first fully automated port cost management solution, linking HarborLab’s platform directly with Danaos’ Port Expenses, Voyage Estimation and Protocol modules. The integration replaces manual XML file exchanges with real‑time bi‑directional...
Madagascar‑Flagged LPG Tanker Passes Iranian Checkpoint
The Madagascar?-flagged 74k m3 LPG tankers just entered the Persian Gulf, swinging through the Iranian Checkpoint. https://t.co/flNbjNxP6L
Prepare for Tariff Shock: Actionable Strategies for Leaders
Lisa Anderson will be a panelist on a Tacto Technology webinar: Tariff Shock: What Procurement and Supply Chain Leaders Must Do Now — Wed 3/25/26 at 1pm ET (10am PT). Register today: https://t.co/LRxNSF4jW5 #Tariffs #Procurement #SupplyChain #Manufacturing https://t.co/tYXsBEPIez
Threat Actors Target the Entire Retail Supply Chain
Black Kite’s 2026 report warns that threat actors now view wholesalers and retailers as a single, highly interconnected organization, exposing the entire retail supply chain to systemic cyber risk. Over 70% of major retailers, nearly 60% of wholesalers, and more...
US Indifference Threatens Europe’s Strait Reopening
What if the United States doesn’t care about reopening the strait for Europe? My latest gCaptain Op-Ed 👇
Fertilizer Supply Chain Fragile, Hinged on Hormuz Gas
The fertilizer supply chain is what Nassim Taleb calls "fragile." Optimized for low cost natural gas, the fragility source is the Straight of Hormuz. https://t.co/Ly2rsT6s4P
Can Jewelry Ever Be Truly Conflict-Free?
The episode explores whether jewelry can ever be truly conflict‑free, focusing on the opaque supply chains of gold and gemstones and the human rights abuses they can entail. It highlights the work of London‑based jeweller Pippa Small, who partners with...
Malaysia Ends US Trade Deal After Illegal Tariffs
Malaysia says it no longer has a trade agreement with the US with the tariffs being declared illegal. Will other countries do it? Will the US have an ongoing global trade war as it moves to Section 301 tariffs?
Congo Export Curbs to Keep Cobalt Scarce Till 2030
The Democratic Republic of Congo, responsible for over 70% of global cobalt, imposed an export ban in February 2025 and later introduced strict quotas, slashing refined output by roughly 20%. The curbs created an 82,000‑ton deficit in 2025 and drove...
Foreign‑flag Tankers Raise Domestic Fuel Costs, Study Finds
"A careful look at the current state of international market freight rates shows that, in fact, substituting a foreign flag tanker on a domestic route currently served by a Jones Act tanker would more than likely result in an increase...
Trump Tariffs Spike Diesel, Fertilizer Costs, Threaten Farm Voters
Trump’s tariffs and the US-Israeli war on Iran are sending fertilizer and diesel costs through the roof. Diesel is up ~$1/gallon in a week. Urea fertilizer has jumped from $470/ton to up to $585. This jump in cost spells trouble for Trump and...
Mars Canada Invests $180M in Ontario Manufacturing
Mars Canada completed a $180 million multi‑year investment across its Ontario manufacturing network, spanning 2022‑2026. The funding upgrades packaging lines and expands capacity at four sites—Bolton, Newmarket, Guelph—boosting production for snacking, pet nutrition and food brands. Sustainability measures cut water, electricity...
CCT to Debut MedAssure Platform at LogiPharma 2026 Amid Growing Global Logistics Challenges
Cold Chain Technologies (CCT) will unveil MedAssure, a cold‑chain orchestration platform, at LogiPharma 2026. Targeted at life‑science manufacturers, the solution promises data‑driven intelligence to anticipate risks, lower total logistics costs, and shrink environmental footprints. The launch comes as the pharmaceutical cold‑chain...
Minister Contradicts Himself on Diesel Carbon Tax Exemption
The FP talks here (11:20) about exemptions for diesel from the industrial carbon tax, and yet he published a piece in the Toronto Sun and elsewhere this week on trucking cost implications that assumed the industrial carbon tax applies to...
IMO Secretary-General Urges De-Escalation, Seafarer Protection
IMO Secretary‑General Arsenio Domínguez condemned recent attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which have killed at least seven seafarers and injured many more. He warned that roughly 20,000 crew members remain stranded in the Persian Gulf, facing...
Court Ruling Threatens Jones Act, Haters Celebrate
And there it is folks. The moment Jones Act haters have been waiting for… https://t.co/BZQNHrjdj5
China Refuses to Tap Reserves for Global Supply
Well, China isn't going to dip into its strategic reserves to help supply the rest of the world ... 1/2
Why Warehouse Consultations Matter for Efficient Operations
Warehouse consultations are emerging as a strategic tool for companies seeking to future‑proof their distribution centers. By conducting thorough facility walkthroughs, workflow analyses, and data‑driven assessments, consultants pinpoint inefficiencies and recommend scalable storage and automation solutions. The process not only...
Lloyd's Register, OneOcean Report Warns Shipping Must Master Data to Remain Competitive
Lloyd’s Register and OneOcean released a report warning that the maritime sector’s surge in operational data is hampered by fragmentation and low standardisation, jeopardising compliance and commercial advantage. Their Digital Maturity Index shows data standardisation at 2.45 / 4 while overall digital...
J.B. Hunt Says Fuel Spike Not yet Driving Intermodal Conversion
J.B. Hunt’s intermodal division reported strong margin improvement despite a 30% surge in diesel prices since the Iran conflict, yet shippers have not begun shifting freight from truckload to rail. Intermodal still delivers roughly 22.8% cost savings versus truckload, well...
Digital Twins Double up and Down
Control’s latest resource hub aggregates a broad set of digital‑twin assets—from Covestro’s polymer‑process model and ABB’s ten industry case studies to Sandia’s 42‑page nuclear‑plant evaluation and MathWorks’ gas‑turbine diagnostics video. The collection also includes beginner guides, Siemens AI‑enhanced whitepapers, Nvidia’s...
Why Delivery Reliability Now Matters More Than Speed
Retailers have spent a decade chasing Amazon‑style speed, but a Locus survey shows only 9% of shoppers believe promises are consistently met. Missed windows and silent delays erode trust, with 92% of customers abandoning a brand after just a few...