Today's Supply Chain Pulse
Oman transit corridor revives India’s West Asia trade
India’s May 2026 exports to West Asia rebounded to $5.30 billion after a sharp March dip, thanks to a new transit corridor through Oman’s Sohar, Salalah and Duqm ports that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. The recovery was led by the UAE, where shipments rose 3.18% year‑on‑year, and Saudi Arabia, which also saw notable gains.
Also developing:
By the numbers: GIA acquires 30% stake in De Beers' Tracr blockchain platform
AI Has Created ‘Almost Infinite Demand’ for Memory Components, Dell Execs Say
Dell Technologies executives warned that artificial intelligence has generated an "almost infinite" demand for computer memory, creating a critical supply‑chain bottleneck in the United States. The shortage of DRAM and other memory chips is driving prices higher and limiting the rollout of AI‑intensive workloads. Dell’s chief technology officer, John Roese, urged regulators to avoid adding new obstacles and highlighted architecture redesign as a way to mitigate the gap. CEO Michael Dell echoed the concern, noting broader constraints in silicon, advanced nodes, and power infrastructure.
Medline Expands Distribution with New Texas Center
Medline announced a new 1.2‑million‑square‑foot distribution center in Midlothian, Texas, slated to become operational in the second quarter of 2027. The facility adds to the company’s network of 45 centers and marks its second hub in the Dallas‑Fort Worth market. Equipped...
Future of Rail: C‑Suite Leaders Shape Next Decade
Trains is hosting its first in-person B2B event about the Future of Rail: The next decade in Chattanooga on July 28, 2026. We are working on an unbelievable lineup of C-suite speakers and senior leaders to discuss the future of...
Micro-Hubs & Spokes, Hand Carts, & U Boats: Human Logistics | At the Junction
The article examines Manhattan’s emerging micro‑hub and spoke delivery system, where trucks park at neighborhood focal points and workers complete last‑mile drops on foot using hand carts. This model sidesteps the need for costly local warehousing or autonomous robots by...
Electrified Materials Adds Processing Capacity
American Resources Corp.'s subsidiary Electrified Materials Corp. (EMCO) has added a new preprocessing line at its Indiana plant, expanding capacity to aggregate and condition magnet, copper, aluminum, ferrous metals and rare‑earth/critical‑mineral feedstocks. The conditioned materials are shipped to sister company...
NIDEC MACHINE TOOL AMERICA Expands Advanced Manufacturing Portfolio, Rebrands Division to Reflect Broader Capabilities
NIDEC MACHINE TOOL AMERICA rebranded its Additive Manufacturing division as Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, consolidating the LAMDA metal additive system, ABLASER laser micromachining, and BOND MEISTER wafer bonding under one brand. LAMDA’s AI‑driven DED printers feature a local shield nozzle for reactive...
Volatile Shipping Market Drags Down OOCL’s 2025 Financial Results
OOCL’s 2025 results were hit by a volatile shipping market, heightened trade tensions and new US tariffs. Revenue slipped 9.3% year‑over‑year to $9.7 billion, while EBIT and net profit plunged 42% and 41% respectively, each landing at $1.5 billion. Despite the earnings...
The Rise of AI in Supply Chain: Our Interview with Supply Chain Leader Corey Weekes
The interview with supply‑chain leader Corey Weekes highlights how artificial intelligence is reshaping governance across the sector in 2026. Weekes notes that AI‑driven automation is accelerating procurement decisions while demanding new oversight frameworks. He also discusses the tightening talent market,...
H&M and EY Call for Decarbonisation Financing Boost
H&M Group and EY have published a white paper urging a surge in financing for supply‑chain decarbonisation across the fashion and textile sector. The report outlines a structured framework that directs capital toward Scope 3 emissions reductions while protecting long‑term margins...
Oil Price Spike Won’t Slash Consumer Goods Volume
We've been looking at scenarios on the total volume of goods pumped through the economy, based on current geopolitical developments: Our general view is that the impact of high oil prices isn't as dramatic as one would initially fear in...
Addressing Planning and Forecasting Challenges in Business Central
A webinar on March 25, 2026 will tackle planning and forecasting hurdles in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, highlighting the platform’s native demand‑forecasting limits and complex vendor‑driven purchasing workflows. Attendees will see how to interpret supply‑demand data, adjust forecasting parameters, and leverage popular...
How the Shutdown Endangers America’s ‘Arsenal of Freedom’ Behind the Scenes
The ongoing partial government shutdown has sharply reduced demand for small defense sustainment suppliers, with one Texas OEM reporting a 76% drop in orders and a 44% workforce cut. Over 115 funded delivery orders worth millions sit idle, creating a...
Jones Act Waiver Sparks Shipping Policy Clash Amid Global Tensions
Stand by for the brawl between the pro-Jones Act supporters @AMPmaritime and those who favor repeal @CatoInstitute over this proposed Jones Act waiver. Whenever there is a shipping crisis, you can count on this issue to be raised and @SecretaryWright should...
From Strategy to Speed, Modex 2026 Keynotes Set the Pace
Modex 2026, the premier manufacturing and supply‑chain conference, featured a high‑profile keynote lineup that blended corporate strategy with cutting‑edge technology. Home Depot CFO Richard McPhail discussed nearshoring and digitization as critical levers for supply‑chain resilience. Exponential strategist Salim Ismail illustrated...
Globalist Mole Inside Administration Sabotaged Strait of Hormuz
Not gonna sugar coat this and do not care if it costs me my new Pentagon press credentials and access to this administration. The left smeared my name in a major WAPO hit piece and the right can do the...
Early Input Pricing Shields Farmers Amid Iran War
Friend of mine that runs a large agricultural operation just texted: "We locked in pricing for farm inputs late last year & early this year before the Iran War started, which is good because now our suppliers will not even provide...
Middle East Conflict Might Create Supply Constraints, Raise in Aluminium Premiums in Mexico
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, choking the primary aluminium supply chain that relies on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) smelters. Force‑majeure notices from Qatalum and Aluminium of Bahrain have driven premiums higher, with...
USITC Probes USMCA Auto Rules’ Impact on Industry Competitiveness
The U.S. International Trade Commission has opened a fact‑finding investigation into how the United States‑Mexico‑Canada Agreement’s automotive rules of origin affect U.S. competitiveness, especially for advanced and electric vehicles. The probe follows two earlier biennial reports that highlighted mismatches between...
How to Optimize Warehouse Storage Design for Maximum Efficiency
Optimizing warehouse storage design hinges on maximizing vertical space, selecting the right layout, and integrating advanced material‑handling technologies. Extending rack heights, adding mezzanines, and complying with NFPA 13 clearance rules can double usable floor area. Choosing a U‑shaped or I‑shaped floor...
From Punjab Fields to Global Urea Crisis
I have never heard the word Urea since I left our agricultural fields in Punjab, India, in early 1990s. Iran-US has brought the Urea fertilizer supply chain disruption to major news outlets. Yes, I have done the job of spreading...
Reverse Logistics - the Key To Parcel And E-Commerce Deliveries
Reverse logistics has become as vital as forward delivery amid the surge in e‑commerce shipments. Handling returns now demands specialized processes to manage cost, legal exposure, and brand reputation. Retailers and logistics providers must strengthen compliance with data‑privacy, intellectual‑property, and...
Daimler Truck Vs. Traton: The Trough Reveals It All
Daimler Truck and Traton SE are grappling with a steep contraction in global heavy‑truck demand, especially across Europe. Despite the downturn, Traton posted a 32% surge in orders, driven by aging fleets and high utilization, while Daimler Truck is concentrating...
LPG Shortage: Wadi Surgicals’ Operations Shut in Vizag
Wadi Surgicals’ Visakhapatnam plant has been idle for four days after Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited failed to deliver its daily 4,500 kg LPG requirement. The shortage halted production of nitrile examination gloves, a vital PPE item for hospitals and labs. Management...
Blue Yonder Expands Agentic AI and Mobile Experiences for Industry-Specific Supply Chain Execution
Blue Yonder unveiled an expanded suite of agentic AI tools and role‑specific mobile applications for its end‑to‑end planning and execution platform. The release adds AI agents for retail, manufacturing, transportation, warehouse and customer service functions, plus mobile allocation, operator and...
Hormuz Disruption Threatens Global Fertilizer and Food Security
The Strait of Hormuz isn’t just about oil and gas. It’s about fertilizer. It’s about the supply chains that feed the world. Disrupt them, and the consequences show up months later—smaller harvests, tighter grain supplies, and higher food prices.
Stadler to Supply 7 More Battery Trains to ÖBB to Phase Out Diesel in Regional Austrian Rail
ÖBB has placed an order for seven additional FLIRT Akku battery‑electric trains from Stadler, slated for delivery in 2028. The units will replace diesel‑powered services on the Kamptalbahn and Erlauftalbahn lines in Lower Austria starting in 2029. Each train combines...
Avianca Cargo Introduces A330F Link Between Bogota and Caracas
Avianca Cargo launched a weekly Airbus A330F freighter between Bogotá and Caracas on March 7, providing up to 60 tonnes of maindeck capacity. The service adds 7 tonnes of belly cargo on passenger flights, creating a combined 67‑tonne weekly offering. The airline also...
Saudia Cargo Moves to Extend Sea – Air Options
Saudia Cargo has broadened its partnership with the Saudi Ports Authority and ZATCA to launch sea‑to‑air logistics corridors from the western‑coast ports, starting with Jeddah Islamic Port. The initiative enables containers to move under a single customs declaration, dramatically cutting...
Hormuz Disruption Could Persist for Up to One Month
If Hormuz flows do not resume for a month, that's the worst-case disruption duration my colleagues at @RapidanEnergy and I modeled last June when we mapped out a US-Iran conflict on global oil and LNG markets and prices. We modeled disruption...
How Mars, Meta, Patagonia and L’Oréal Are Tackling Scope 3 Emissions: GreenBiz26
At GreenBiz26, sustainability leaders from Mars, Meta, Patagonia and L’Oréal detailed how they are measuring and cutting scope 3 emissions, which account for up to 90% of corporate carbon footprints. Mars reported a 16.4% supply‑chain emissions reduction since 2015 and launched...
Renewables Become Only Viable Exit Amid Global Energy Crisis
Renewables are the only exit strategy: Day 12 (updated) impact of the Israel and US attack, tracking Force Majeure, surcharges, and the explosive inflation behind the headlines FORCE MAJEURE IMPLICATIONS >Shell: FM on all LNG cargoes from Qatar >QatarEnergy: Pretty much totally down,...
FedEx Introduces Reusable Shipping Boxes for B2B Shipments
FedEx has launched a reusable shipping box system for B2B shipments, created with Returnity. The collapsible containers hold up to 50 lb, survive roughly 50 reuse cycles, and fit existing FedEx sorting equipment. FedEx says the solution can slash packaging costs...
5 Top Generative AI Use Cases in Procurement
Generative AI is reshaping procurement by automating document‑heavy tasks such as drafting RFPs, reviewing contracts, analyzing spend, assessing supplier risk, and supporting unusual purchase requisitions. The technology can produce first‑draft texts, flag non‑standard clauses, surface tail‑spend anomalies, and continuously monitor...
Renfe Displays Spanish Trains in Real-Time Map and Unifies Geolocation Systems
Renfe has unveiled a real‑time online platform that maps every high‑speed, long‑distance and medium‑distance train across Spain, displaying punctuality and service details. The system lets users filter by train type, view remaining stops, and see colour‑coded delay indicators. QR codes...
The Evolution of Transportation Management: Increased Efficiency by Smart Automation
Transportation management systems have evolved from simple routing tools into dynamic, real‑time execution platforms that integrate telematics, weather, customs, and carbon data. Descartes’ network now connects over 200,000 firms and adds 2,000 carriers each month, enabling rapid onboarding and reducing...
EcoVadis, Watershed Partner to Provide Scope 3 Data Solutions
EcoVadis and climate‑tech firm Watershed announced a strategic partnership to deliver precise Scope 3 emissions data across supply chains. The collaboration embeds EcoVadis’ supplier‑level carbon metrics into Watershed’s AI‑powered accounting platform, moving firms away from generic averages toward verified supplier data....
Higher Fuel Costs Crush Carrier Margins, Boost Brokers
I agree with this analysis. The gross spot rate that brokers are paying is stable, but the calculated net minus fuel (i.e. carrier margins) is getting crushed due to the surge of fuel prices. Paradoxically, higher fuel costs are...
IATA Launches DG Digital
IATA unveiled DG Digital at its World Cargo Symposium in Lima, a fully electronic Dangerous Goods Declaration tool that integrates with the DG AutoCheck platform. The solution digitises creation and approval for more than 3,800 hazardous items, eliminating the 95%...
Hapag Lloyd Ship Hit in Hormuz, Crew Safe
The Hapag Lloyd container ship Source Blessing was hit by projectile fragments in the straight of Hormuz earlier today. Hapag reports that it was not a direct hit, all crew are safe, and they have extinguished the fire on...
How Tariff Early Movers Can Continue to Cement Their Advantage
When the Trump administration imposed tariffs, firms that quickly diversified suppliers and shifted production to near‑shore locations gained a lasting competitive edge. These early movers reduced geopolitical risk, shortened lead times, and improved working‑capital turnover, while companies that delayed faced...
Iran Conflict Threatens Global Economy Across All Sectors
The Iran War could trigger a global economic crisis and you won’t find a better summary of why than this one sentence from Rachel Ziemba below. Yes, this is about gas prices. But it’s also about: - the cost of food...
90% of Remaining Hormuz Traffic Still Flowing
The Straights of Hormuz are closed? Know~Bull Logistics, Leaders, Innovators, Tech 90% of the 20% that was the volume through the straight is still moving. https://t.co/E7omInSzX4 https://t.co/X0ENIOnzx7
Tom Hanson Shows AI‑Powered Rapid Retooling and Scalable Innovation
Contributor Spotlight: Tom Hanson (p. 16) - retooling at speed, AI-driven resilience and innovating at scale. #Manufacturing #AI #Resilience https://t.co/K6t5frl13c
Saudi Pays Record Tanker Rates to Ship Red Sea Crude
Saudi Arabia is booking more and more super oil tankers at sky high rates (>$450,000 a day vs pre-war levels of $100,000 a day) to shift crude from the Red Sea into global markets.
Chios Lion Images Show July 2024 Attack, Not Recent
🚨CHIOS LION 🚨 Anyone seeing images of the Houthis attacking the tanker Chios Lion in the Red Sea, this is a PAST attack. This took place off Yemen on July 14, 2024. I have a story from @gCaptain linked below:...
Supply Chain Power Concentrated; Small Players Will Struggle
Ahead of GTC, since $NVDA is a name on this list, publishing this report on the power a few wield in the supply chain that those without that scale will struggle in securing supply for their demand. Masters of the...
Trump Tells Oil, Shipping to Prep For
The Trump administration has told U.S. oil companies and shipping groups to prepare for a potential waiver of the Jones Act https://t.co/X46i7aSDwu
Taiwan's AI Supply Chain Covers End‑to‑End Hardware
2/ Taiwan’s AI supply chain includes companies specializing in: *AI servers *cooling systems *testing equipment *chip packaging *compute racks & trays *fab construction *contract manufacturing
Pentagon's Neglect Angers US Merchant Marine
The easiest ways to infuriate the US Merchant Marine: Not give them advance warning on military action. Not provide naval protection for 🇺🇸 ships (5 are stuck in the Gulf) Refuse to thank them after multiple ships are attacked. Waive the Jones Act. The...
Iran Opens Hormuz to Indian Tankers, Shifts Trade Route
"Indian Source Says Iran to Allow India-Flagged Tankers Through Hormuz as First Tanker Arrives" Looks like the Strait of Hormuz will be the new Bab el-Mandeb 🍻 https://t.co/370QXTDJC2