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
Facing Heavy Losses, Honda Cancels Its Three US-Made Electric Vehicles
Honda announced the cancellation of its three U.S.-made electric vehicles—the Honda 0 SUV, Honda 0 sedan, and Acura RSX EV—after projecting losses of $5.1 billion to $7 billion for the fiscal year. The decision stems from a mix of trade‑war tariffs, the end of the U.S. clean‑vehicle tax credit, and weak domestic EV demand. Honda also cited intense competition in China, where software‑centric EVs dominate. Instead, the automaker will double down on hybrids while postponing further EV rollouts until profitability improves.
Freight Economy Sees Familiar Uncertainty as New Pressures Emerge
The freight economy faces renewed uncertainty driven by three new pressures: a Supreme Court ruling that struck down the White House’s IEEPA tariffs and introduced a 10‑15% Section 122 duty, the United States and Israel’s joint military operation against Iran,...
IATA Announces New AI Initiatives to Support Air Cargo Operations
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) unveiled three AI‑focused initiatives aimed at modernising air cargo operations. The first is AI Subject Matter Expert (AI SME), a mobile and web app that lets users query IATA cargo and safety manuals in...
Power Extension for High-Efficiency Drives - IE5+ Synchronous Motors in a New Size
NORD DRIVESYSTEMS has launched an IE5+ permanent‑magnet synchronous motor line that now reaches 11 kW, extending its compact high‑efficiency portfolio. The motors deliver up to 95% efficiency across a wide torque range, cutting energy consumption and CO₂ emissions in industrial applications....
DRM to Showcase Integrated Automation Systems at MAX 2026
DRM, LLC will exhibit at the MAX Manufacturing and Automation Exchange in Nashville from March 24‑26, showcasing its end‑to‑end automation solutions at Booth #515. The company will run a live robotic demonstration cell that highlights precision motion control for dispensing, material...
SAVE THE DATE: Stockholm Customs Day, Wednesday 25 March 2026 at 9:00am
Baker McKenzie will host a Stockholm Customs Day on 25 March 2026 at 9 am, targeting customs, trade compliance professionals and legal counsel. The half‑day, in‑person event features speakers from the firm’s Stockholm office and other global locations. The agenda covers the latest...
On-Demand: How a 3PL Automated to Meet New Productivity Needs for a Global CPG Leader
Howard Tenens Group partnered with Ocado Intelligent Automation to automate a global consumer‑packaged‑goods (CPG) client’s operations within a shared 3PL warehouse. The selective automation deployment was rolled out while other tenants continued unchanged, leveraging software‑driven insights to boost productivity and...
Flatbed Rates Surge Nationwide After Regional Spike
Flatbed rates continue to firm across the US. A few weeks ago, we saw the rate pops concentrated to the rust belt and Texas. Now we are seeing sharp flatbed rate increases take over most of the country. Map: shows...
Dnata on Track with New Handling Facility at Zurich
Air services provider dnata announced that construction of its new Cargo Centre at Zurich Airport is well advanced and remains on track for an early‑2027 opening. The facility will raise dnata’s freight handling capacity in Zurich by 50%, from 60,000...
West Asia Conflict Hits Bhilwara Textile Exports; US $86 Million–US $100 Million in Shipments Affected
The Gulf conflict is disrupting trade routes, causing Indian textile exporters to face delays and higher costs. Bhilwara, a major textile hub, now has shipments worth Rs 800‑1,000 crore (US $86‑$108 million) on hold, affecting key markets in the Gulf and Europe. Exporters cite...
Box Ship Hit in Gulf as Fuel and Surcharges Spike Costs
The containership Source Blessing was hit by shrapnel 35 nautical miles north of Jebel Ali, igniting a small fire but leaving the crew unharmed. The incident marks a widening of attacks beyond the Strait of Hormuz, prompting carriers to suspend...
Archer Files Counterclaim Against Joby “for Use of Chinese Technology in the S4 eVTOL”
Archer Aviation has lodged a counter‑claim against Joby Aviation, alleging that Joby concealed Chinese‑origin components in its S4 eVTOL and mislabeled them as consumer goods to sidestep U.S. tariffs. The filing, made on March 9 in the Northern District of California,...
The Growing Cyber Risk to Supply Chains
Corporate leaders are shifting view of cybersecurity from an internal IT issue to an operational capability essential for supply‑chain continuity. AI and automation have expanded the digital footprint of vendors, increasing exposure to cyber threats. Simultaneously, the intensifying Middle East...
Middle East Conflict Ripples Through Karnataka’s Garment and Silk Industries
The escalating Middle‑East conflict is disrupting Karnataka’s textile supply chain, slashing new garment orders by 25‑30% for March 2026 and pushing overall garment exports down 15‑20%. Export shipments worth roughly $2 billion are stranded, while silk demand has slipped 8% and cocoon...
Supply Chain Layoffs Spread Across Warehouses, Factories and Rail Terminals
A wave of supply‑chain layoffs has swept across the United States, affecting roughly 4,000 workers in recent weeks. The biggest cuts came from SK Battery America, which shed 958 jobs (about 37% of its staff) and First Brands Group, which...
Four Companies Form UK Defence Supply Chain Alliance
Amentum, GXO Logistics, Accenture and A.P. Moller‑Maersk have launched Torus Defence Supply Chain, a new alliance aimed at strengthening UK defence supply‑chain resilience. The partnership will deliver integrated logistics, digital transformation and global freight services to support evolving defence requirements....
EXMAR Deploys Inmarsat's NexusWave Connectivity Service Across Fleet
Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat company, is deploying its NexusWave connectivity service across EXMAR’s global gas carrier fleet. The managed solution bonds GX Ka‑band, LEO, LTE and L‑band underlays to ensure uninterrupted ship‑to‑shore communications and crew internet. EXMAR reports faster collaboration,...
Listen to the RF Podcast #8: ‘Battery/Electric Locos Are the Way to Go’
At RailTech Europe 2026, Nexrail’s Chief Business Development Officer Mark Remie discussed a hybrid battery‑electric locomotive strategy on RF Podcast #8. The approach combines on‑board batteries with grid electricity to capture regenerative braking energy and reduce fuel consumption by up...
Oil Prices Go Up 6% as Hormuz Shipping Crisis Deepens
Oil prices surged on Thursday as Iran intensified attacks on oil and transport infrastructure, reigniting fears of prolonged disruption through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent futures jumped 6.47% to $97.93 a barrel, briefly touching $100, while U.S. WTI rose 6%...
Is A New Global Apparel Industry Emerging?
Robert Antoshak argues that a new global apparel ecosystem is forming as manufacturers scramble to bypass volatile tariff regimes. Companies are reshoring, leveraging digital cut‑and‑sew platforms, and adopting sustainable fibers to meet shifting consumer expectations. Trade policy volatility is prompting...
Exotec and Komar Launch ‘Next-Generation’ Automated Fulfilment Centre in Savannah
Exotec is deploying its Skypod robotic system at Komar Distribution Services' 760,000‑square‑foot Savannah fulfillment centre. The modular solution promises up to 50% higher throughput and 30% greater storage density while handling both case and single‑item picking. Full automation is slated...
The Panama Canal Power Struggle
Panama's Supreme Court declared CK Hutchison's concessions for the Balboa and Cristóbal ports unconstitutional, prompting the government to cancel the contracts and seize control. The move disrupts a previously announced $23 billion deal that would have transferred the terminals to BlackRock...
Middle East VLCC Indexes Hold, Atlantic Rates Plunge
Middle East VLCC indexes are still near peak but Atlantic rates are sinking ▶️Baltic Exchange’s Middle East Gulf indexes are down only 5%-7% vs wartime peak, while Atlantic basin indexes are down 35%-39% ▶️VLCC owner stocks reached multi-decade or all-time highs on...
Himalaya Shipping Lands Premium Index-Linked Charter
Himalaya Shipping has secured a 12‑ to 14‑month charter for its 210,000 dwt newcastlemax bulk carrier Mount Matterhorn, tied to the Baltic Exchange Capesize 5TC Index and offering a premium over the benchmark. The vessel will begin the new contract in...
Serve Robotics and White Castle Launch Autonomous Delivery via Uber Eats
Serve Robotics and White Castle have teamed up to ship the chain’s sliders and other menu items using autonomous sidewalk robots through Uber Eats. The rollout adds Serve’s third‑generation delivery bots to the existing Uber Eats network, which already operates in major...
Middle East War Threatens African Agriculture
The Middle East war and Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have driven oil prices to $87‑$120 a barrel and disrupted Gulf fertilizer exports. Fertilizer futures jumped over 10% on the first trading day, with analysts expecting a 17%...
SBB Cargo Continues to Bleed
Swiss rail freight arm SBB Cargo posted a 122 million CHF loss for 2025, a 60 % increase from the prior year, driven largely by asset depreciation. Both domestic and international tonnage continued to fall, with Swiss‑only volumes slipping below five billion net tonne‑kilometres...
Russia Pushes Icebreakers to 270 Days at Sea as Sanctions Slow Arctic Fleet Renewal
Russia will push its nuclear‑powered icebreakers to sea for up to 270 days a year, up from the previous 240‑day target. The move reflects pressure from an aging fleet, sanctions‑induced maintenance delays, and unpredictable ice conditions on the Northern Sea...
PTC Lands ISRO Titanium Ingot Order, Expands VAR/PAM Capability
PTC secures an aerospace-grade titanium ingot order for ISRO and scales VAR and PAM capability. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/aerospace-grade-titanium-ingot-order.html
From Crowded MATS Line to Modern Trucking Evolution
The line to get into MATS in 2000 The US trucking scene has evolved a lot in the past 25 years https://t.co/cIoMImK7Xe
Invoice Processing Maturity: From Automation Rates to Exception Economics
Invoice processing maturity is moving beyond simple automation rates toward managing exceptions. While early AP automation focused on touchless processing of standard invoices, organizations now face a plateau as complex, high‑risk invoices dominate. Modern platforms use probabilistic confidence scoring and...
Port Firefighters Quell Two Tanker Blazes at Once
Look at that, having proper firefighting capability in a port can actually extinguish not one, but two ship fires simultaneously.
Iranian Threats Freeze Hormuz Shipping, Spiking Insurance Rates
Last week, shipping ground to a halt due to the threat of attacks based on Iranian past actions. This caused insurance to reset and increase its levels. This week, it is the actual attacks and threats that are holding the ships...
Dürr Unveils Robotic System that Prints Custom Designs on Vehicle Bodies
Dürr introduced EcoNextJet, a robotic drop‑on‑demand printing system that applies custom graphics directly onto vehicle bodies during the paint process. The system uses a 2,000‑nozzle printhead capable of two‑color, 720 dpi resolution and five‑micron paint thickness, replacing traditional film decals. Developed...
Strait of Hormuz Blockade Halts Global Shipping
Good point. There s no viable workaround for the Strait of Hormuz. Ships and supply chains are at a standstill.
Flatbed Rates Surge While Reefer Cools, Van Stays Steady
Spot rate momentum is currently mode-specific: Reefer (slight cooling) - seasonality factors Van- stable Flatbed - very strong https://t.co/1SCZy23TF9
Respect the Guts that Power Global Trade
President Trump urged commercial vessels to have the “guts” to cross the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a rebuttal from Captain Akee Sharma of Sailor’s Cart. Sharma emphasizes that seafarers already endure months away from families, hazardous conditions, and constant operational...
True Supply Chain Strategy Unites Sourcing, Logistics, Technology
Think you have a supply chain strategy? Many firms really have disconnected decisions across sourcing, logistics and technology. That’s not strategy. Here’s how to fix it: https://t.co/fUqesUBg4h #SupplyChainStrategy #Logistics https://t.co/AAJT7UeiiX
PR Boosts Procurement Brand, Backed by Capability and Results
“Effective PR is a key part of raising Procurement’s brand profile in today’s organizational landscape. > It must be backed up by solid functional capability and delivering the right results.” 🔎 https://t.co/voeARTOsF0 #procurement #purchasing #supplychain
Magazine Breadth — Not Just Depth — Is Key to Munitions Industrial Base Resilience
The United States faces renewed munitions shortfalls after intensive use in Iran, Ukraine and other theaters, prompting officials to stress that stockpile depth alone will not ensure resilience. Recent Pentagon initiatives, including the 2025 Munitions Acceleration Council and $25 billion FY‑2026...
China Extends Ban, Halts BHP Iron Ore Purchases
China is expanding its ban on steel mills buying BHP iron ore again, adding another product to the blacklist. They've been negotiating for BHP for ~6 months now and there's no end in sight. This is the second ban in...
US Initiates Trade Probe Targeting EU, China, India
US launches probe into trading partners including the EU, China and India https://t.co/JsVy4bXFEc Announcement: https://t.co/UgsOQ97Tzp
UK and Australia Explore Steel Cooperation for AUKUS
The United Kingdom and Australia are assessing how their steel sectors can jointly support the AUKUS submarine programme, following the first UK‑Australia Defence Industry Dialogue since 2018. Defence Minister Luke Pollard highlighted that British firms, notably Sheffield Forgemasters, are already...
IEA Warns War Could Cause Unprecedented Oil Disruption
The IEA says the war in turning into the biggest oil disruption in world history https://t.co/UJZqGyrhUP
Salt Trade Seasoned with Strong Egyptian Flows
Global seaborne salt shipments jumped 19% year‑on‑year to 13.5 million tonnes in January‑February 2026, driven by Egyptian exports that more than doubled to 2.9 million tonnes. The United States recorded a record 4.2 million tonnes discharged, reflecting heightened de‑icing demand after severe winter...
TRIM Invites Private Firms to Bid to Operate Three Rail Sidings for Ten Years
South Africa's Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) has issued requests for proposals to privately operate and invest in three rail sidings—Klaserie, Krugersdorp and Ngagane—for ten‑year terms. The RFPs require bidders to fund refurbishments, loading facilities, security and access upgrades while...
Aerowash Selected by IAG to Supply Aircraft Washing Robots to British Airways at Heathrow
Aerowash has been awarded a multi‑year leasing contract by International Airlines Group to provide aircraft‑washing robots for British Airways at London Heathrow. The deal follows a competitive tender and will see several automated washers deployed across BA’s Heathrow operations. CEO...
UK Government Removes Offshore Wind Energy Tariffs to Help Manufacturers Save Millions
The UK government will waive import duties on 33 wind‑farm components from 1 April, using an “authorised use” customs measure that eliminates tariffs on items such as cables, blades and rotors. Officials say the relief will save manufacturers millions of pounds...
D’Amico Grows Orderbook to 10 Ships with Latest MR2 Order
Italian product tanker owner d’Amico International Shipping has expanded its new‑building programme in China by exercising options for two additional 50,000‑dwt MR2 tankers at Jiangsu New Yangzi Shipbuilding. The vessels, priced at $45.4 million each, are slated for delivery in August...
MOL Acquiring 25% Stake in V.Ships France
Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has acquired a 25 % equity stake in V.Ships France through its subsidiary MOL Euro Energie SAS, while deepening a long‑standing partnership on LNG vessels. Under the deal V.Ships France will assume full technical management of two new‑build LNG carriers slated...