🎯Today's Supply Chain Pulse
Updated 2h agoWhat's happening: HK and Shanghai launch blockchain platform for cross‑border cargo trade
Hong Kong’s Monetary Authority, Shanghai’s Data Bureau and the National Technology Innovation Center for Blockchain have signed an MoU to develop a blockchain‑based platform for trade data, electronic bills of lading and financing. The initiative will build on HKMA’s Commercial Data Interchange and Project CargoX under the 2024 Project Ensemble programme.
Also developing:
By the numbers: VOC Port raises ₹15,000 cr for outer harbour project
News•Mar 1, 2026
System Report: VLMs Unlock Efficiencies for All World Machinery
All World Machinery Supply, a Roscoe, Illinois distributor of 15,000 machine‑part SKUs, tackled a storage crunch and labor bottlenecks by installing four Kardex vertical lift modules (VLMs) and an in‑house conveyor system. The VLMs cut the warehouse footprint by 75% and now hold roughly 12,000 SKUs, while boosting labor picking efficiency by 400% and delivering 99.8% order accuracy. Integrated with the company’s Prophet 21 ERP, the system enables a single picker to match the output of four workers and supports same‑day shipments for its automotive and manufacturing customers. A fourth VLM added in late 2023 freed space for the conveyor, further streamlining receiving, batching and packing operations.
By Modern Materials Handling
News•Mar 1, 2026
Special Report: 2026 Productivity Achievement Awards
Modern's 2026 Productivity Achievement Awards recognized top performers in warehousing/distribution, innovation, and e‑fulfillment. Performance Health won Warehousing/Distribution for a streamlined distribution center, reduced packaging waste, and improved KPI tracking. Staples earned the Innovation award for its integrated robotics platform, autonomous...
By Modern Materials Handling
News•Mar 1, 2026
Productivity Solution: Andrews Streamlines Beverage Delivery
Andrews Distributing partnered with Big Joe Forklifts to deploy the LPT40 DSD, a pallet truck that integrates a scale for delivery‑by‑weight verification. The system replaces manual case counting, cutting stop times by up to 43% and easing navigation in tight store...
By Modern Materials Handling
Blog•Mar 1, 2026
RCL Shifts RCP2 Slot Allocation to CNC’s China–Philippines Service
Regional Container Lines (RCL) has moved its slot allocation from CNC Line’s Japan‑Philippines (JP8) service to the carrier’s China‑Philippines (CP2) rotation, continuing to market the lane as RCP2. The shift narrows RCL’s focus to the Shenzhen‑Philippines segment, replacing Batangas with...
By Container News
News•Mar 1, 2026
Borderlands Mexico: Canada, Mexico Draw Record Foreign Investment in 2025
Canada and Mexico posted record foreign direct investment in 2025, underscoring North America’s growing role as a manufacturing hub. Canada received $96.8 billion, the strongest inflow in 18 years, while Mexico attracted a historic $40.87 billion, a 10.8% year‑over‑year rise. U.S. investors...
By FreightWaves
Blog•Mar 1, 2026
Port of Bilbao Advances Connectivity and Energy Transition in 2025
The Port of Bilbao closed 2025 as a strategic year, delivering over 32 million tonnes of throughput despite a 6.8% traffic dip caused by the temporary Petronor refinery shutdown. Second‑half volumes rose 1.5% year‑on‑year, driven by expanding trade with the United...
By Container News
Blog•Mar 1, 2026
Hellmann and Exotec Sign Global Warehouse Automation Agreement
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics and French robotics firm Exotec have signed a global framework agreement to automate Hellmann’s contract‑logistics warehouses. The partnership will roll out Exotec’s modular goods‑to‑person robotic systems, starting with a pilot at a German healthcare customer. The solution...
By Container News
Blog•Mar 1, 2026
DP World Secures Warehouse Contract with Suzano
DP World has secured a five‑year contract with Suzano to operate a 5,000‑square‑metre warehouse and production‑line supply hub in Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Brazil. The agreement covers inbound receiving, inventory control, line replenishment and outbound distribution of tissue products, handling up...
By Container News
News•Mar 1, 2026
Redefining Healthcare Supply Chain Performance, From Spend Control to Strategic Value
Healthcare supply chains are evolving from back‑office cost centers to strategic assets that influence operating rooms, pharmacies, and executive decision‑making. Hospitals now align supply metrics with labor and revenue data, exposing cross‑functional savings that were previously siloed. Objective analytics and...
By SupplyChainBrain Logistics
News•Mar 1, 2026
Why Is the Midwest the Most Volatile Region in the U.S.?
The Midwest has become the most volatile U.S. trucking region over the past six months, with tender rejection rates consistently 4‑5 percentage points higher than any other area. A disproportionate share of refrigerated shipments—30% to 35% of all outbound reefer—tightens...
By FreightWaves
News•Feb 28, 2026
Agentic AI for Modern Manufacturing and Supply Chain Success
MuleSoft is promoting agentic AI combined with APIs to modernize legacy manufacturing and supply‑chain systems. The approach leverages MuleSoft Agent Fabric to connect on‑prem and cloud applications, eliminating both API and agent sprawl. Analyst IDC highlights that this AI‑API synergy...
By ERP Today
Blog•Feb 28, 2026
Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association and BIMCO Adopt SALEFORM 2025
The Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association (NSA) and BIMCO have adopted SALEFORM 2025, the latest version of the standard ship sale and purchase memorandum. The revision updates the 2012 form to reflect new banking, KYC/AML, anti‑bribery, sanctions, and EU emissions regulations. It...
By Container News
News•Feb 28, 2026
European Defence Ministers Plot Further Russian Oil Disruption
European defence ministers convened in Krakow to discuss escalating measures against Russian seaborne oil exports. France seized the 115,600‑dwt aframax tanker Grinch, carrying 730,000 barrels of crude, and released it after the shipowner paid a €3 million fine. Ministers aim to...
By TradeWinds
News•Feb 28, 2026
Israel Receives Dozens of Military Vehicles in New Supply Delivery
Israel’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that a cargo ship unloaded dozens of Humvees, trucks and other military gear at Haifa Port, bolstering IDF operations under Operation Roaring Lion. The delivery is part of a broader logistics campaign that has moved more than...
By Defence Blog
Blog•Feb 28, 2026
Explainer: Washington Declares Maritime War on Beijing
The White House unveiled a Maritime Action Plan aimed at confronting Beijing’s dominance in global shipbuilding. The strategy calls for a massive increase in U.S. shipyard capacity, leveraging $30 billion in federal funding and new partnerships with allies such as Japan...
By Container News
News•Feb 28, 2026
Hormuz Traffic Slows After Strike On Iran
Oil tankers are increasingly bypassing the Strait of Hormuz following the US and Israel airstrikes on Iran, prompting major shipping lines to issue cautionary directives. While the waterway remains officially open, Bloomberg tracking shows a buildup of idle vessels both...
By gCaptain
Blog•Feb 28, 2026
DHL Group and JD.com Sign MoU
DHL Group and JD.com have signed a memorandum of understanding to help German brands expand into China and Europe. The partnership merges DHL’s global logistics network with JD.com’s Joybuy platform, creating an integrated e‑commerce solution. It enables German manufacturers to...
By Container News
Blog•Feb 28, 2026
Why Warehouse Maturity Blooms in Uneven Seasons
The article frames warehouse technology adoption as a series of seasonal maturity levels, ranging from manual operations to fully dynamic, software‑driven facilities. It warns that forcing a single platform across all sites creates fragmentation, higher costs, and stunted growth. Instead,...
By Mobile Robot Guide
News•Feb 28, 2026
DRC’s Cobalt Quotas Reshape the Global Critical Metals Market
The Democratic Republic of the Congo announced strict cobalt export quotas—18,125 tonnes for Q4 2025 and 96,600 tonnes for 2026—while reserving 10% of production as a strategic stockpile. The policy, aimed at curbing smuggling, stabilising prices and capturing more domestic value,...
By Copperbelt Katanga Mining
News•Feb 28, 2026
Critical Minerals Need Reliable Financing Frameworks
The article argues that the rapid expansion of critical mineral supply chains is being hampered by inconsistent financing structures. It highlights China’s strategic advantage, where processing capacity is tightly coupled with manufacturing demand and backed by patient, large‑scale capital. The...
By RealClearDefense
News•Feb 28, 2026
Japanese Company Proterial Plans to Make Magnets & More in India
Proterial, a Japanese advanced‑materials maker, is evaluating India as a production base for its rare‑earth‑free electric‑vehicle magnets and other high‑end components such as superalloys and power‑electronics parts. CEO Sean M. Stack highlighted strong economic momentum, government incentives, and the need...
By ET EnergyWorld (The Economic Times)
Blog•Feb 28, 2026
PortSide Stories: Yokohama
The Port of Yokohama remains Japan’s busiest container gateway, handling millions of TEUs each year and accommodating the world’s largest vessels. Its deep‑water berths link Japan’s export‑heavy industries—automobiles, electronics, food—to markets across Asia, North America and Europe. Beyond logistics, the...
By Container News
News•Feb 28, 2026
Houthis Vow to Resume Attacks Following Iranian Strikes
Following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced they will resume attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, ending a four‑month lull. BIMCO warns that ships linked to US or Israeli interests face heightened risk, though...
By Splash 247
Blog•Feb 28, 2026
ONE Enhances North-South Connectivity with New AEX and Revamped LEX Services
Ocean Network Express (ONE) announced a strategic overhaul of its European network, launching the Aegean Express (AEX) and revamping the Levant Express (LEX) effective March 2026. The AEX will run weekly, linking major North European hubs such as Felixstowe, Hamburg...
By Container News
News•Feb 28, 2026
Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi Drives Over 100 Million USD in Savings
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) partnered with Ivalua to overhaul its procurement function, delivering over 400 million AED (more than 100 million USD) in savings across 2024‑2025. Streamlined contract‑lifecycle management and a centralized repository cut procurement cycle times by 23 %...
By Breaking Travel News
News•Feb 28, 2026
How Micro Fulfillment Hubs Make Same-Day Delivery for Small Retailers Possible
Micro‑fulfillment centers (MFCs) are compact, technology‑driven hubs placed within 5‑10 miles of consumers, enabling same‑day or even two‑hour deliveries for small retailers. By decentralizing inventory, they cut last‑mile distances and reduce shipping costs, directly addressing the 21% cart‑abandonment rate tied...
By BRASI Blog
News•Feb 28, 2026
How Shiprocket Is Building The Backbone Of Bharat’s Ecommerce Growth
Shiprocket, originally launched as KartRocket in 2012, has transformed into a full‑stack ecommerce enablement platform that now powers more than 4 lakh merchants, many from Tier II and III cities. The platform bundles shipping, checkout, returns, analytics and working‑capital services, leveraging AI...
By Inc42
News•Feb 28, 2026
Stations: Praha Smichov Rebuild Blends Legacy with Modernity
The Czech railway authority has launched a comprehensive rebuild of Praha Smíchov station, targeting facilities, track and electrification upgrades. Deputy Director General Mojmír Nejezchleb outlined a new station alignment that tackles technical, safety and urban‑planning complexities. The project aims to modernise a...
By Railway Gazette International
Blog•Feb 28, 2026
Interlocking Three Inputs for Pump Logic: PLC Tia Portal
The article details a PLC program built in Siemens TIA Portal that uses latching and interlock logic to control a single pump via three RUN buttons. Pressing START sets a SYSTEM_ON memory bit, enabling the RUN inputs while STOP clears...
By Instrumentation Tools
Blog•Feb 28, 2026
Port of Auckland Posts Strong First Half Results for FY26
Port of Auckland reported a strong first‑half FY26 performance, posting NZD 204.3 million in revenue, a 4.5% increase year‑on‑year. Underlying net profit after tax rose 28.1% to NZD 53.8 million, prompting an interim NZD 26 million dividend to Auckland Council. Volume growth drove results, with...
By Container News
News•Feb 28, 2026
Commercial Space Logistics Market Analysis 2026
The 2026 commercial space logistics market now comprises three segments—ISS cargo resupply, lunar payload delivery, and orbital transfer services—each with distinct business models and risk profiles. As the International Space Station approaches deorbit around 2030, providers are scrambling for post‑ISS...
By New Space Economy
Blog•Feb 28, 2026
What Is Backlog Inventory? Causes and How to Manage It (2026)
The article defines backlog inventory as sold but unshipped stock and explains how it differs from back orders and overall order backlogs. It outlines four primary causes—demand spikes, supply delays, operational issues, and routing errors—and quantifies the financial risk of...
By eCommerce Fastlane
News•Feb 27, 2026
FMCSA Spotlights Trucking’s Multi-Million Dollar Insurance Gap
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s 2026 report warns that the trucking industry faces a massive insurance gap. While the number of active interstate carriers fell to 456,227, the median "nuclear" verdict for crashes jumped to $51 million, far exceeding the...
By FreightWaves
News•Feb 27, 2026
Ocean of Capital Chasing Trains
The rail industry is experiencing a wave of liquidity as infrastructure funds, insurance companies, and private‑equity firms pour billions into railcar and locomotive financing. Traditional tax‑leveraged leases are being replaced by long‑horizon passive capital and CDO‑structured debt, reshaping the capital...
By Railway Age
News•Feb 27, 2026
Federal Court Dismisses ILA Complaint over Virginia Rail Cranes
A federal court dismissed the International Longshoremen’s Association’s lawsuit claiming the Virginia Ports Authority violated national labor law by installing automated yard cranes without union notification. The VPA, which filed a motion to dismiss in October 2025, argued the union...
By Journal of Commerce (JOC)
Blog•Feb 27, 2026
Sophus Technology to Showcase Quantum Solver Delivering Faster Optimization
Sophus Technology will unveil its Quantum Solver in a March 10 webinar, promising optimization speeds 50‑to‑100 times faster than current solvers. The quantum‑inspired platform enables full‑fidelity supply‑chain models, eliminating the need for simplifications that compromise accuracy. By handling daily production planning and...
By Quantum Zeitgeist
Blog•Feb 27, 2026
Cybersecurity and AI in the Era of Home-Based Care Logistics
Kenco’s vice‑president of life sciences, Tim McClatchy, detailed how the firm is hardening cybersecurity across its manufacturer‑to‑home delivery network while deploying AI to streamline labor planning and route optimization. He explained the specific encryption and verification steps used at each...
By Pharmaceutical Commerce (independent trade)
Blog•Feb 27, 2026
Katana Cloud Inventory Review 2026: The Honest Guide for Shopify Brands That Make What They Sell
Katana positions itself as the only Shopify‑native cloud inventory and manufacturing platform, unifying real‑time inventory, production planning, and shop‑floor execution. It targets Shopify brands that make their own products, charging a $299 per‑month Core plan plus optional add‑ons and a $2,000...
By eCommerce Fastlane
News•Feb 27, 2026
US rPET Demand Under Sustained Pressure: PRC
US recycled PET (rPET) demand remains weak, prompting concerns at the Plastics Recycling Conference. The recent shutdown of Evergreen Recycling’s Ohio and New York plants cuts domestic processing capacity by roughly 16%, tightening an already strained market. Low‑priced imports and abundant...
By Argus Media – News & analysis
News•Feb 27, 2026
Apple to Purchase 100M Chips From Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM) Arizona Facility
Apple announced it will purchase more than 100 million advanced chips from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) at the company’s Arizona fab, marking a sizable increase over its 2025 orders. The iPhone maker also disclosed sourcing over 20 billion U.S.-made chips from...
By Yahoo Finance – Top Financial News
News•Feb 27, 2026
Maersk Ground Freight to Open Up to 7 More Facilities in 2026
Maersk Ground Freight announced plans to open five to seven additional U.S. facilities in 2026, following the January launch of its 165,000‑square‑foot Fontana, California hub. The Fontana terminal, featuring 22 docks, is expected to cut turnaround times by up to...
By Transport Topics – Technology
News•Feb 27, 2026
Home Depot Launches Real-Time Delivery Tracking for Large Items
Home Depot has introduced real‑time delivery tracking for all large‑item orders, expanding a feature previously limited to small parcels. The rollout leverages handheld devices used by drivers to log checkpoints, giving customers live visibility into the status of bulky shipments...
By Supply Chain Dive
News•Feb 27, 2026
New Legislation Addresses Various Supply Chain Issues Impacting U.S. Freight and Highways
Senator Todd Young introduced the Securing American Freight, Enforcement, and Reliability (SAFER) Transport Act to tackle freight fraud, theft, and safety on U.S. highways. The bill mandates a freight fraud advisory committee, eliminates MC numbers in favor of a single...
By Logistics Management
News•Feb 27, 2026
From Bottleneck to Breakthrough: Why Procurement Is the Utility Industry’s Critical Capacity Builder
Utilities face a 25% rise in electricity demand by 2030 and 78% by 2050, straining aging grids and climate‑driven disruptions. Capital spending is soaring, with $178 billion allocated in 2024 and projected to hit $220.7 billion by 2026, yet tariffs, shortages, and...
By POWER Magazine
News•Feb 27, 2026
Matson Q4 Ocean Profit Stable
Matson reported marginally weaker fourth‑quarter results as container volumes slipped 2.3% year‑over‑year, driven by a 7.2% drop in China shipments amid ongoing trade‑war pressures. Ocean operating income dipped to $136 million on revenue of $704.2 million, but the company was partially offset...
By FreightWaves
News•Feb 27, 2026
Best Manufacturing and Packaging Automation Companies in 2026
Factory floors in 2026 are shifting from basic automation to intelligent, software‑defined systems. The article ranks the top five automation vendors—Hefestus, Rockwell Automation, Siemens Digital Industries, ABB Robotics, and Fanuc—highlighting each firm’s niche strengths such as high‑precision packaging, edge computing,...
By Robotics & Automation News
News•Feb 27, 2026
Third Purus Daughter Craft Undergoes Final Outfitting, Sea Trials to Come
Daughter Craft No. 3, commissioned by Purus, is in final outfitting ahead of sea trials, with Volvo Penta IPS drives now installed. The vessel features IMO Tier 3 exhaust after‑treatment to curb emissions and has undergone extensive CFD and tank testing for optimal...
By MarineLink
News•Feb 27, 2026
During Lula’s Visit, South Korea and Brazil Agree to Revive Mercosur Trade Talks
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited Seoul, upgrading the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership and signing ten MOUs across AI, biotech, agriculture, health and security. The summit’s headline outcome was the decision to revive stalled Mercosur free‑trade...
By The Diplomat – Asia-Pacific
Blog•Feb 27, 2026
Indian Register of Shipping Launches First Defence Export Project
Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) has launched its first defence export project, delivering a floating dry dock to the Sri Lanka Navy. The dock, constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited, was inaugurated on February 19, 2026, with Rear Admiral MDK Wijewardana...
By Container News
News•Feb 27, 2026
First Brands to Sell Units That Produce Parts for Ford
First Brands Group, currently in a multi‑billion‑dollar bankruptcy, has identified four prospective buyers for its auto‑parts factories, three of which supply components to Ford Motor Co. Ford is prepaying for parts and administrative expenses, a move described by its counsel...
By Transport Topics – Technology