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
Piraeus Declines 6% for Second Year, Cosco Ports Results Show
Cosco‑controlled Piraeus port reported a 6% drop in 2025 throughput, handling 3.97 million TEU, marking the second consecutive year of decline. Analysts attribute the loss to Red Sea disruptions that rerouted cargo to Spain and northern Europe rather than pure demand weakness. Across its portfolio, Cosco Ports posted $1.7 bn revenue and $312 m net profit, with global throughput rising 3.4% to 43.85 million TEU, driven by strong growth in non‑Chinese assets. The group is accelerating integration with Cosco Shipping Lines and expanding hub‑and‑spoke services, highlighted by the new Chancay terminal in Peru.
Trump's 60‑day Jones Act Waiver Deemed Ineffective by Shippers
Trump just waived the Jones Act for 60 days. Shipping interests say it won’t help
Hormuz Reopening Dependent on Ceasefire and Neutralizing Iran
"Hormuz Reopening Looks Unlikely Without a Ceasefire" https://t.co/XMIRCwxYZf "Until we’ve neutralized Iran’s layered, asymmetric capabilities- mines, fast attack craft, submarines and drones- we won’t want to put commercial or even escort ships through" - @Bob_McNally https://t.co/ytg2suC6Mi
Interpack 26: COPA-DATA Presents Automation Software for Transformation
COPA‑DATA will showcase its zenon automation platform at interpack 26 in Düsseldorf from May 7‑13, 2026, highlighting smart manufacturing solutions for the packaging sector. The no‑code/low‑code system supports standards such as MTP, PackML and OMAC, enabling flexible, data‑driven production. Live...
Supply Chain Scenarios to Consider Due to War in Iran
The war in Iran has triggered a cascade of interlocking supply‑chain shocks, from maritime rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope to soaring war‑risk insurance premiums and heightened cyber‑attack risk. BSI Consulting outlines two recovery paths: a swift cease‑fire that...
Strait of Hormuz Turns Into Iranian Shipping Checkpoint
Has the Strait of Hormuz Chokepoint Become a Checkpoint for Iranian Shipping? 1️⃣Maritime Chokepoints Last 5 Years 2️⃣Strait of Hormuz Update 3️⃣Iranian Checkpoint? 4️⃣Was the Strait a US priority? 5️⃣Does Iran controls 35% of global trade? Video: https://t.co/Y6wyU7NtIy https://t.co/yWBvF0lsuB
Shipping Lines Offer Nearest‑Port Drop‑Off Amid Iran Conflict
Container lines have told customers they can leave containers at nearest port. Iran war and the Wild West.
Prozo Expands Hyderabad Footprint with New Fulfilment Centre Amid South India Growth Push
Prozo has opened a 1,04,524 sq ft multi‑client fulfilment centre in Medchal, Hyderabad, expanding its local footprint to nine warehouses covering roughly 6.5 lakh sq ft. The new site, positioned on NH‑44 with direct Outer Ring Road access, taps a logistics hub that accounted for...
Goodfood Taps Najib Maalouf as President and COO as CFO Ross Aouameur Exits
Goodfood Market Corp. announced the immediate appointment of Najib Maalouf as President and Chief Operating Officer, tasking him with resetting operations, product development and the customer journey. At the same time, CFO Ross Aouameur will leave in April, with Vice...
AI Could Handle 60% of Supply Chain Disruptions by 2031
Gartner predicts that by 2031, AI will autonomously resolve 60% of supply‑chain disruptions, reducing the need for human intervention. The forecast responds to mounting trade, geopolitical, and climate‑driven interruptions that strain traditional response methods. Companies are urged to begin with...
Future-Proof Your AP with Precoro | E-Invoicing Made Effortless
Governments worldwide are mandating e‑invoicing, forcing companies to replace PDF‑based invoice workflows. Precoro responded by embedding native e‑invoicing into its AP platform, automatically ingesting XML, UBL, CFDI and other formats. The system extracts data with near‑perfect accuracy, matches invoices to...
How RFID Data Is Transforming Logistics Back-Office Accuracy
RFID adoption in logistics is moving beyond warehouse floor visibility to reshape back‑office operations. By capturing timestamped, location‑specific events, RFID creates an event‑based data layer that replaces manual scans and carrier estimates. This data foundation automates freight audit, inventory reconciliation...
Tariffs Intended to Save Factories Are Actually Crushing Them
"Allen’s experience embodies a growing body of evidence that the tariffs that Trump said would help American factories are, in fact, squashing many of them" https://t.co/IknBPtkn62 https://t.co/mRRcMfRLIv
From the Lakes, on the Lakes & for the Lakes: Captain Paul C. LaMarre III
Captain Paul C. LaMarre III, a third‑generation Great Lakes mariner, has turned the dormant Port of Monroe into a regional economic engine, now delivering roughly $85 million in impact and 520 direct jobs. He leads the American Great Lakes Ports Association...
Israel Hits Iran's South Pars, World's Largest Gas Field
Israel just struck Iranian infrastructure at South Pars, the world's biggest natural gas field. This natgas episode is definitely worth a listen ⬇️⬇️
When Peptide Suppliers Stop Accepting Credit Cards
You know your peptide supplier is in trouble when they stop accepting credit card payments.
From Garage to Global: Chieh Huang on Building Boxed and Launching Pelgo
In this episode, Chieh Huang, founder of Boxed and now CEO of Pelgo, shares his journey from a garage‑based wholesale startup to a public company and his latest venture helping workers transition to AI‑augmented roles. He highlights the stark difference...
Mitsubishi and Renfe Transform Villaverde Maintenance Facility
Renfe Ingeniería y Mantenimiento and Mitsubishi Electric Europe have signed a two‑year strategic collaboration to turn the Villaverde maintenance depot in Madrid into a European reference centre for train traction‑motor maintenance. The partnership will offer repair, overhaul and training services...
Salicru Strengthens Indonesia’s Railway Infrastructure
Salicru has expanded its footprint in Indonesia’s railway sector by deploying uninterruptible power‑supply (UPS) solutions for PT Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI) across key hubs in Java and Sumatra. Working with local partner PT BINA SERVICES, the company installed new...
45 Turnout Transport Wagons in Operation
voestalpine Railway Systems now operates 45 turnout transport wagons, the largest dedicated fleet in Europe. The wagons enable delivery of fully pre‑assembled turnouts directly to construction sites, cutting installation time and track‑closure periods. By combining manufacturing expertise with integrated logistics,...
TCE Reports Ongoing Demand for TCM Services From Leisure Airlines
Air cargo supervisor TCE reports that leisure airlines continue to demand Total Cargo Management (TCM) services, a trend that accelerated during the Covid pandemic. Previously, cargo was a peripheral revenue stream, but airlines now view it as a core profit...
No ‘Last Hurrah’ Expected for US De Minimis as Legal Challenge Advances
The U.S. administration’s suspension of the de minimis exemption is now being challenged in the Court of International Trade after a lawsuit by auto‑parts retailer Detroit Axle alleges the move exceeds legal authority. The challenge follows a Supreme Court ruling that limited...
The Wrong Question: Why the TMS Debate Is Distracting Forwarders From What Comes Next
Freight forwarders are fixated on the "which TMS?" debate, especially around CargoWise pricing, but industry veteran Brian Glick argues the real issue is integration and what comes after traditional TMS. He positions Chain.io as a neutral integration layer that separates...
Future Oil Supply Shifting From Hormuz to Canada
The path away from Hormuz doesn’t run through Texas It runs through Canada. Not a quick fix, but a slow shift in expectations about where future supply comes from. LINK👇 https://t.co/2f6ouGWWtL #Oil #Energy #Geopolitics #SupplyChains https://t.co/s7N92RBiUl
Bull of the Day: Sanmina (SANM)
Sanmina (SANM) was spotlighted as the Bull of the Day, earning a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) after analysts upgraded earnings estimates for 2023 and 2024. The consensus forecast rose from $9.64 to $10.06 for the current year and from...
Rail Outlook up on Firmer Economic Factors: AAR
The Association of American Railroads reported February freight volumes rising, with carloads up 6.5% year‑over‑year and intermodal shipments reaching a record weekly average. Coal remained the largest non‑intermodal commodity, accounting for 26.6% of volume, while grain, chemicals and petroleum also...
‘DAC Installation Might Cost Less than 4 Euros per Day’
The European rail industry is exploring a hire‑purchase model for Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) that would cost €3.49 per wagon per day over a 20‑year term, according to EUROFIMA CEO Christoph Pasternak. The scheme relies on a non‑profit rental company...
DA Seeks Fertilizer Supply Deals with China, Russia Amid Mideast Tensions
The Philippine Department of Agriculture is negotiating fertilizer supply agreements with China, Russia, India and Belarus as Middle‑East tensions threaten the flow of nitrogen‑based inputs. While the agency has already secured more than 80% of its annual fertilizer requirement, rising...
Lithium-Ion Battery Incidents in Air Cargo on the Rise
A UL Standards & Engagement report shows lithium‑ion battery incidents in air cargo have surged 40% since 2021, climbing from 10 to 15 reported thermal‑runaway events by 2025. The rise mirrors booming e‑commerce demand for low‑cost, battery‑powered products and highlights...
Broad Commodity Shock Threatens Entire Industrial System
This isn’t just an oil shock—it’s a full-spectrum commodity shock, writes @glcarlstrom It’s fertilizer, aluminum, helium, plastics, fuel. Block it—and the entire industrial system starts to seize. #Energy #SupplyChains #Commodities #Inflation #Geopolitics
Poland Throws Flagship €1.2bn Rail Baltica Tender Back Into Play After Budimex-PORR Award Struck Down
Poland’s National Appeal Chamber has annulled the award of the €1.2 billion Białystok‑Ełk Rail Baltica contract to the Budimex‑PORR consortium. The decision forces PKP PLK to restart the tender evaluation for the 96‑km stretch, marking the second reversal after a prior award to...
Hormuz Shock Reveals Fragile Energy‑Food System
Hormuz is a SYSTEMS SHOCK, writes @ctindale Energy → fertilizer → food → unrest → state control. This isn’t a disruption. It’s the exposure of a fragile system built on false efficiency. #Energy #Overshoot #Geopolitics #SupplyChains #Inflation
Hormuz Remains Uncontrollable System Favoring Disruptors
U.S. power can strike targets—but it can’t control Hormuz, writes @citrinowicz Hormuz isn’t a target—it’s a system, and it favors the disruptor. #Hormuz #Geopolitics #Oil #Energy
SJ Continues Operating Regional Services in Western Sweden
Swedish state rail operator SJ, via its subsidiary SJ Götalandståg, has secured the “Tåg 2027” contract to operate the Västtågen regional network in western Sweden for an additional 11 years, extending service through December 2037. The agreement maintains Alstom as the rolling‑stock maintenance partner,...
Why Asia Hopes for a Short Mideast War
A potential war in Iran is sending shockwaves through the Asia‑Pacific as the region’s heavy reliance on Middle Eastern oil, LNG and petrochemicals makes the closure of the Strait of Hormuz a catalyst for inflation, supply‑chain strain and strategic uncertainty....
Siemens Commits $165 M to Carolinas, Adds 350 Jobs to Fuel AI‑driven Supply Chains
Siemens announced a $165 million expansion across North and South Carolina that will create 350 new positions by 2028. The rollout adds a 131,000‑sq‑ft plant in Raleigh, a 101,000‑sq‑ft site in Wendell and upgrades in Spartanburg and Roebuck, boosting U.S. capacity...
New York City’s Next Transportation Revolution Might Be on the Water
DutchX, a NYC‑based zero‑emission shipper, has cut delivery time from Brooklyn to Midtown West by two‑thirds by moving packages via ferry and cargo bikes instead of vans. The pilot uses Pier 70 as a water hub, eliminating bridge tolls, congestion pricing...
AI, Supply Chains, and the Future of Economic Power
In this episode, Jacob Helberg, Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs, discusses how AI, hardware, and secure supply chains have become central to U.S. economic and national security. He outlines the administration’s three‑front strategy to win the AI race: superior...
Bob Brackett Returns: War in Iran Reshapes Global Gas Flows
NEW ODD LOTS: It’s the return of the legend Bob Brackett @tracyalloway and I talk to Bernstein’s top commodities researcher about war in Iran and how natural gas flows are being reshaped all around the world. https://t.co/DlSfweVsgl
AfA Issues Warning over DHS Security Shutdown
The Department of Homeland Security shutdown has entered its fifth week, leaving the Transportation Security Administration shorthanded after more than 300 officers resigned. While passenger checkpoints feel the immediate impact, the staffing shortfall threatens the broader aviation security framework, including...
Increase in DIY and Hardware Retailers Offering Same Day Delivery
New Gophr research shows UK hardware and DIY retailers increased same‑day delivery adoption from 22 % to 32 % year‑on‑year. Yet speed remains uneven: only 26 % can fulfil orders within an hour and 46 % impose conditions such as cut‑off times or location...
Open Modal Launches New Domestic ‘Combi’ Route
Open Modal has launched a new domestic combined‑rail route linking Lille and Miramas via Bonneuil, effective March 10. The service begins with three weekly round‑trips, slated to increase to five, and joins its existing Mediterranean corridor routes. Trains are 750 metres long,...
Supplier Management as a Continuous Signal
The article argues that traditional supplier management—treating suppliers as static records after onboarding—fails in modern procure-to-pay (P2P) environments with thousands of suppliers and dynamic risk profiles. It advocates a continuous‑signal approach where supplier data is constantly enriched by transactional evidence...
Europe Swapped Russian Gas for LNG, Still Vulnerable
Europe's LNG imports have gone from 3% of gas supply in 1990 to nearly 50% today. We replaced Russian pipeline gas with LNG at record speed. But we replaced one dependency with another. That's why Europe is so exposed. Answer is transforming demand...
Can Diesel Go Further? GB Railfreight Launches Large-Scale Fuel Additive Trial
GB Railfreight has launched a two‑week fuel additive trial in partnership with Fuelcare and Treyarnon Consulting to test chemical enhancements for diesel locomotives. The program, one of the largest UK freight fuel trials, will evaluate engine efficiency, reliability, and emissions...
EU Approves Support Measure: Combined Transport on Frejus Line Can Make a Comeback
The European Commission approved a €5 million support measure, split equally between France and Italy, to revive combined‑transport operations on the 175‑kilometre Fréjus railway linking Aiton and Orbassano. The line, closed since a landslide in August 2023, is expected to restart...
Dalian Shipping Launched with Local Government Backing and Hengli Support
Dalian Shipping Co was launched this week as a government‑backed shipping venture supported by Hengli, the world’s fastest‑growing shipbuilder. The partnership blends municipal and provincial financing with Hengli’s massive order book, allowing newly built vessels to be quickly absorbed into...
The Buyer's Journey for Warehouse Automation
The episode explores the warehouse automation buying journey from three angles: iAutomate’s CEO Christoph Buchmann explains how the process truly begins with identifying a problem and validating automation as the right solution; Staples Canada’s Mert Selchuk describes a data‑driven, internal...
The Price of Vassalage
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and QatarEnergy’s force‑majeure on LNG have removed roughly 20% of global supply, sending European gas prices soaring to double their previous levels. In reaction, EU policymakers are softening carbon‑pricing mechanisms and methane measurement...
VTG & Breedon Renew 15yr Cement Wagon Deal
VTG Rail UK has renewed a 15‑year lease with Breedon Group for 72 JPA cement wagons, extending a long‑standing bulk‑cement logistics partnership. The wagons, each capable of carrying 81 tonnes, move more than 1.5 million tonnes of cement annually from Hope Cement...