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
How Moving Mission-Critical Tech Requires a Different Approach to Freight Logistics
Freight carriers are now moving mission‑critical AI and semiconductor hardware, not just consumer electronics, turning each trailer into a multi‑million‑dollar asset. The dense, delicate nature of this cargo demands real‑time, sensor‑driven visibility that goes beyond standard GPS location data. Werner’s One‑Way division engineers each shipment with air‑ride suspension, white‑glove teams, and pre‑planned safe havens to protect against tilt, shock, and humidity. Shippers are shifting from lowest‑cost selection to partnerships that guarantee claim‑free velocity and uninterrupted supply‑chain performance.
Sigmatex Signs Distribution Agreement with Link Composites at JEC World 2026
Sigmatex, a 40‑year‑old global carbon‑fibre textile maker, has signed a distribution agreement with India’s Link Composites at JEC World 2026. The deal makes Link Composites the official distributor of Sigmatex’s certified fabrics across India, covering aerospace, renewable energy, automotive, infrastructure...
UNFI Moving in the Right Direction Despite a Down Q2
United Natural Foods (UNFI) is accelerating its RELEX AI‑powered supply‑chain platform, with 12 distribution centers slated to go live next week and full rollout expected by year‑end. Operational metrics improved, showing over 6% productivity gains, an 11% reduction in shrink,...
Seeking Clarity on US Tanker Escort in Strait
I have so many questions: 1⃣ Was it into or out of the Strait? 2⃣ What tanker and nationality was it? 3⃣ How was the escort accomplished, warship, aircraft or a combination of both? 4⃣ What about the five US...
MIT CTL and Mecalux Develop an AI-Based Simulator to Optimize Inventory Across Warehouses
MIT’s Center for Transportation & Logistics and warehouse‑technology firm Mecalux have launched GENESIS, an AI‑driven simulator that uses a genetic algorithm to evaluate thousands of inventory‑distribution scenarios across a multi‑warehouse network in minutes. The platform ingests demand forecasts, transport costs...
Royal Navy Sends Missile Destroyer HMS Dragon to Eastern Mediterranean
The Royal Navy dispatched the Type‑45 destroyer HMS Dragon from Portsmouth to the Eastern Mediterranean, reinforcing the United Kingdom’s defensive posture amid rising Iranian‑linked attacks on Western interests. The ship’s Sea Viper air‑defence system will protect UK assets and allies, while...
Authorities Probe Spike in Portuguese Exports to Russia-Tied Countries
Portugal’s finance ministry has opened an investigation after statistics revealed a sharp rise in exports to countries closely aligned with Russia. Direct sales to Russia dropped from over €26 million in 2021 to near zero, while exports to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan,...
China, India Warn Carriers on Higher Pricing Tied to Middle East Conflict
Chinese and Indian transport ministries have publicly warned major container carriers, including Maersk and MSC, against imposing excessive surcharges linked to the Middle East war. The regulators highlighted concerns over service suspensions to the region and fee hikes running into...
Hawke’s Bay Firm Takes on New Zealand Prison Manufacturing, with a Plan to Cut Out Aussies
Patton Engineering has launched Patton Custodial in Whakatū, taking over prison‑related manufacturing from Sharp Edge Engineering and targeting contracts traditionally held by Australian firms. The new unit is one of only two New Zealand companies licensed to produce custodial products and...
Opinion: Waiving the Jones Act Won’t Lower Gas Prices—Tanker Markets Prove It
The op‑ed argues that waiving the Jones Act would not reduce U.S. gasoline prices because foreign‑flagged tankers are more expensive to charter than domestic Jones Act vessels. Using Worldscale data, the author shows a Houston‑to‑New York freight rate of WS410 equals...
Boeing Says Wiring Issue Will Delay Some 737 Max Deliveries
Boeing announced that a wiring problem discovered on several 737 Max jets will delay deliveries in the first quarter of 2026. The issue, traced to small scratches caused by a machining error, can be repaired within days and does not affect...
Cut Freight Planning From 30 Hours to 1
30 hours. Every week. Gone. A national electrical supplier was spending 30 hours a week manually planning their freight: dedicated drivers across 8 facilities, local carriers, third-party loads. After implementing EVOS Smarttools powered by BlueGrace Logistics, that same work takes one hour. In...
IATA Presses the Case for Three Priorities for Airfreight
At the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Lima, global cargo head Brendan Sullivan outlined three strategic priorities for the air‑freight sector: accelerating digitalisation, strengthening global standards, and enhancing safety and security. He highlighted the industry’s fragmented data landscape and promoted...
Europe Remains Top Destination for U.S. LNG Cargoes Despite Asian Supply Squeeze Amid Middle East War
Europe continues to dominate U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments, absorbing the majority of cargoes despite a tightening Asian market. The recent Middle East conflict has slashed regional energy exports, reducing the incentive for U.S. producers to divert LNG to...
MRPeasy in Financial Times List of Fastest-Growing Companies in Europe
MRPeasy has been listed for the third straight year in the Financial Times 1000: Europe’s Fastest‑Growing Companies, ranking 148th in the IT & Software category. The cloud‑based manufacturing ERP now supports over 2,200 small manufacturers in 70 countries, with the United...
Roboticom Announces New Distribution and Innovation Partnership with Forged Path Automation
Roboticom announced a distribution and innovation partnership with Forged Path Automation to broaden U.S. market reach and develop turnkey process‑automation solutions. The deal leverages Roboticom’s ARPP® software, which reduces robot training from weeks to days, and its SandRob™ finishing robot...
DATA REVEALS U.S. MANUFACTURING FACES A 2 MILLION WORKER SHORTAGE
The Labor Shortages Report from MIE Solutions warns that 26% of the U.S. manufacturing workforce will retire by 2030, creating a gap of 1.5‑2 million unfilled roles. A new Job Posting Intensity score shows the national benchmark at 0.50, with 24...
Snowflake Intelligence for Manufacturing: Actionable Data Insights
Manufacturers are turning petabytes of connected‑product data into strategic assets, but fragmented systems hinder insight. Snowflake Intelligence offers a unified, AI‑ready data foundation that democratizes information across functions, enabling natural‑language agents to surface actionable recommendations. Toyota Motor Europe adopted the...
From Forest to Flatpack, IKEA Faces Timber Traceability Test Under EUDR
The EU’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), set to take effect at the end of 2026, requires companies like IKEA to provide geolocation data proving their timber was not sourced from land deforested after December 2020. Although IKEA already sources nearly 100 % of...
Caine's Escort Plans Reveal Lack of Pre‑existing Strategy
General Caine was asked about escorting and his comment was, "on the potential, if tasked to escort, we'll look at the range of options." 1⃣Has @CENTCOM @US5thFleet not have these options already planned out and war gamed? 2⃣So, there is...
De Minimis: Case Aiming to Revive Exemption Can Proceed, Court Rules
The U.S. Court of International Trade has lifted the stay on Axle of Dearborn Inc. v. Department of Commerce, allowing the company to pursue a revival of the de minimis exemption that permits duty‑free imports under $800. Detroit Axle argues the August...
Intelligent Pharma Supply Chains: Powered by AI, Guided by Decisions
The article outlines how decision intelligence—an AI‑driven, automated decision‑making platform—can unify the fragmented supply‑chain systems that support both small‑molecule (SM) drugs and cell‑and‑gene therapies (CGT). By aggregating data from ERP, CRM, quality, and contract‑manufacturer sources, the technology delivers real‑time visibility...
Grim Reaper of Tech
Control Global highlights that not all process analyzers pose equal business risk, emphasizing that regulatory instruments like NOx CEMS face acute obsolescence challenges. As manufacturers discontinue critical spare parts, plants risk non‑compliance, fines, and operational shutdowns if legacy units fail....
LA Terminals to Extend Gates to Mitigate Disruption During Bridge Closure
Port and marine terminal leaders in Los Angeles announced a mitigation plan as Caltrans prepares to close the 63‑year‑old Vincent Thomas Bridge for a two‑year redecking project. The bridge, which carries roughly 53,000 vehicles daily—including 3,400 heavy‑duty trucks—will be closed...
Could China’s Rare Earth Supplies Dictate How Long US Strikes on Iran Go On?
The United States imports roughly 71% of its rare earth elements from China, a dependency that underpins many of its military platforms. As Washington conducts airstrikes against Iran, Beijing’s control over these critical materials gives it strategic leverage over the...
From Menu Cuts to Electric Grills: How Indian Restaurants Are Tiding over the LPG Crisis
The West Asia conflict has choked LPG shipments to India, driving up commercial cylinder prices by up to 25% and creating acute shortages for restaurants. Operators across Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and other cities are trimming menus, shifting to electric grills,...
24,000 Tons Adrift, Urgent Need for Alternative Ports
As a member of the UAE’s Financial Advisory Council (2008–2014), I made many friends. Here’s some intel one just texted me: "We have some 24,000 tons of material floating on water and need to find alternative ports on the Arabian Sea...
Container Diversions Jump 360% After Hormuz Closure
Container Shipping Diversions Surge 360% Amid Hormuz Closure. And the inland logistics to move all the loaded and empty containers? Including customs https://t.co/xjirN7c7am
When $5 Million Feels Like a Drop in the Ocean...
Freight savings of $5 million often appear modest, yet they mask larger hidden costs when market conditions shift. Traditional procurement relies on annual tenders, leaving contracts misaligned with volatile ocean rates, capacity constraints, and reliability drops. Predictive freight intelligence and market‑aligned...
West Coast Jet Fuel Shortage Hits Air Cargo, Passengers
Jet Fuel Shock Looms on U.S. West Coast as Asian Exports Dry Up. Air cargo and passengers to be affected. https://t.co/QUO2O9u8dm
Shipping Solves Issues While Riding a Smoldering Powder Keg
“We, in the shipping industry, are in the business of solving problems. But we are fixing problems while sitting on a smoldering powder keg,” Bud Darr, President of the Cruise Line Association https://t.co/i4e1kemoUq
Circana and Sally Beauty Holdings Announce Strategic Partnership to Optimize Supply Chain Operations
Circana and Sally Beauty Holdings have signed a multiyear agreement to deploy a collaborative supply‑chain platform powered by Circana’s Liquid Data AI technology. The solution delivers daily operational insights, enabling better business planning, inventory control, and on‑shelf availability for Sally...
Iran Mining Strait Could Fully Close Vital Shipping Lane
Uh. This would be REALLY bad. Up until now, traffic through the Strait has been functionally halted but it isn’t exactly *closed*, ships can are some are taking the risk. If Iran successfully mines the Strait, it’s *closed* closed.
US Navy Escort Uncertainty Threatens Global Trade via Hormuz
Hormuz Disruptions, US Navy Escort Plans (or lack of) and Impact on Global Trade 1⃣Strait of Hormuz Update: March 10, 2026 2⃣Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Caine Statement on Escorts 3⃣UNCTAD Report on Hormuz Shipping Disruptions Video: https://t.co/vS32XQeQDb https://t.co/ZfQwkBUMGW
Own Supply Chains Outpace China’s Speed Advantage
Those companies that build their own supply chains will be able to move at the speed or faster than China. If you’re waiting for someone else’s supply chain, you’ve already lost. That's how @1x_tech under @BerntBornich is staying ahead of the...
Data to Decisions: The Competitive Edge with SIOP
Data is everywhere. Turning it into decisions is the differentiator. Read Lisa’s article, contact LMA to learn more about how to strengthen data-to-decision with SIOP. https://t.co/MMXjHddjOg #Data #SIOP #SupplyChain
Shipping Risks Draw Full House at CMA Conference
Full house at the CMA Shipowner conference for @loriannlarocco panel on shipping risks. Go visit @gCaptain for her latest articles 1/2 https://t.co/7frbqs68r7
Unverified Mine Rumors Force Shipowners to Demand Escorts
Shipowners at CMA tell me there’s evidence of MINES in the Strait of Hormuz. They admitted the rumor is unconfirmed. Problem is, from their perspective, it doesn’t matter. Perception is reality and the risk is too high. They won’t sail without...
Navy Escorts First Tanker; Soybeans Hold as Corn, Wheat Fall
U.S. Navy escorts its first tanker through the Strait of Hormuz. #corn & #wheat prices follow crude oil lower, but #soybeans hang onto modest gains on hopes we'll get final RVOs from EPA any day, with possible exports to China....
Secretary Wright Retracts False Navy Escort Claim
Secretary Chris Wright seems to have deleted his tweeted claiming the U.S. Navy escorted a tanker through the Strait of Hormuz
Maritime Industry Battling Unprecedented Black Swan Disruptions
“Over the past few years, we have experienced disruptions few people imagined… it sometimes feels like the entire maritime industry is under attack by a flock of black swans,” Steve Carmel, US maritime Administrator and Commandant of the US Merchant...
Kirkuk Pipeline Offers Iraq's Sole Hormuz Bypass
Oil production around Kirkuk, in Iraqi Kurdistan, is connected to global markets via a pipeline to the Turkish port of Ceyhan This is Iraq’s only crude supply that can bypass the currently-closed Strait of Hormuz Shut-ins in the Basra area by the...
Procurement Must Align With Enterprise Strategic Priorities
“Procurement’s focus must always be aligned to enterprise priorities and strategic objectives.” ➤ https://t.co/s48vDbFr5l #procurement #purchasing #supplychain https://t.co/sz4Kj2U6xI
Hormuz Closure Reverses WCS‑WTI Spread Amid Sour Crude Flow
Most of the crude that ships out of the Strait of Hormuz is medium-to-heavy sour Western Canadian Select at Houston vs WTI, which reflects a clean light-heavy quality differential, had weakened (widened) on Venezuela reentering the USGC market—Hormuz closure entirely reversed...
Chinese‑crewed Marshall Islands Bulker Repeats Red Sea Pattern
The Marshal Islands-bulker KSL Laiyang is running the Strait. She is broadcasting on AIS "China Owners & Crew". This is EXACTLY what we saw happen in the Red Sea against the Houthis. Expect to see more of this. https://t.co/LSCESnEDKI
Japan Sets NdPr Price Floor, Investors Remain Unmoved
Japan becomes the second country to lock in a NdPr price floor. Countries seem to recognise the issue with rare earths but equity investors seem not to... https://t.co/5GI3bRV7K3
DHL CEO Cautions Against AI as Universal Fix
A good DHL quote about AI from its Q4 earnings transcript: "I think for us, what's important we don't have the approach to think that putting a AI sauce source over everything creates great benefit." Tobias Meyer, CEO
India Redirects LPG to Homes Amid Gas Shortage
INDIA GAS SHORTAGE 🇮🇳 ⚠️ India invoked emergency powers to redirect LPG away from industrial users to households LNG supplies to petrochemical and power plants are being curbed The crisis in the Middle East is throttling India’s LPG and LNG supply https://t.co/ujn00XTSnf
China's Jan‑Feb Soy Imports Hit 7‑year Low
🇨🇳China imported 12.55 million metric tons of soybeans in Jan-Feb, the smallest volume for the period in 7 years. The Brazilian harvest was slower, U.S. cargoes were still en route and customs clearing times were extended. Expectations for March are...
Market Easing on Trump Prolongs Strait of Hormuz Crisis
This isn’t over and the current market reaction, by reducing pressure on Trump, is only elongating the duration of the crisis and the physical disruption through the Strait of Hormuz. https://t.co/bMeee4CJjz