Today's Supply Chain Pulse
Logistics volatility declared permanent in 2026 State of Logistics Report
The report finds supply‑chain volatility now a permanent condition, with U.S. logistics costs falling to $2.4 trillion, or 7.8% of GDP, down from $2.6 trillion in 2025. Five structural forces—uneven global growth, tighter financial conditions, geoeconomic realignment, labor constraints, and energy price swings—drive the new normal, while AI and automation reshape operations.
Also developing:
By the numbers: US IDFC partners with Chubb on $20B maritime reinsurance plan
China Warns of Global Chip Shortages as Nexperia Dispute Escalates Again
China's commerce ministry warned that escalating tensions between Dutch chipmaker Nexperia and its Chinese subsidiary could spark a new global semiconductor shortage. The dispute intensified after the Dutch headquarters disabled office accounts in China and suspended wafer supplies to the Guangdong plant, following earlier export controls that disrupted automotive chip supplies. Beijing holds the Netherlands responsible for any renewed supply‑chain crisis, while mediation efforts by the EU, the Netherlands and China have so far failed. The conflict underscores fragile interdependence in the worldwide chip ecosystem.
Iran's Missile Strikes Fall, Drones Persist via China
We've seen a confirmed drop in Iran's missile attacks, but drones remain the larger LT threat. The complication that I'll be following closely is China's role. With Chinese shipments of drone components still entering Iran, the US will have to...
Pakistan Seeks Saudi Red Sea Route for Oil After Iran Closes Hormuz
Pakistan is turning to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea corridor to import crude after Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz following recent U.S.–Israeli strikes. The disruption threatens Pakistan’s already tight fuel supply, prompting the government to adopt aggressive conservation policies,...
U.S. Sub Sinks Iranian Warship to Protect Shipping
This is the question every admiral in the Pentagon was asking early this week that the media hasn’t covered. There is outrage in anti-Trump circles after a U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship because it looked like an unfair fight. While weak...
ONE Expands AX4 Service to Key South America and Asia Ports
Ocean Network Express (ONE) is expanding its AX4 West Coast South America service to add Qingdao and Ensenada on the eastbound leg and Callao and Ecuador on the westbound leg, effective April 2026. The revised rotation links Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao,...
Viewpoint: Why ‘Always-On’ Environments Break Most Robotics Deployments – and How to Fix Them
Sorting Robotics’ founders warn that most robot failures arise from “always‑on” production environments rather than hardware defects. Lab‑validated robots encounter particulate buildup, temperature and humidity shifts, and calibration drift when operating 24/7, especially in regulated sectors such as cannabis. The...
Automation Expo in Thailand Concludes with Strong Attendance
The 2026 Automation Expo in Thailand drew a record 11,723 visitors, a 50% year‑on‑year increase, and featured 150 exhibitors across 7,500 sqm. The show highlighted IIoT, advanced robotics, and smart‑factory solutions in dedicated IIoT Ecosystem and Future‑X zones. Organisers Messe Frankfurt...
Iran Hits Tanker with Drone for Violating Strait of Hormuz Passage Ban, IRGC Claims
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said a drone struck a tanker that breached Tehran's newly imposed Strait of Hormuz passage ban. The IRGC claimed the attack was a defensive response to the vessel's unauthorized navigation. The incident comes as Iran's...
Techman Robot and Tesollo Unveil Adaptive Robotic Gripper Solution for High-Mix Manufacturing
Techman Robot Korea and Tesollo unveiled an adaptive robotic gripper solution for high‑mix, low‑volume manufacturing at the 2026 Smart Factory & Automation Industry Exhibition. The system pairs the TM5S collaborative robot with Tesollo’s DG‑3F‑M three‑finger articulated gripper, offering 2.5 kg pinching...
China: ‘Eight by Eight’ Network Nears Completion with Latest Wave of Openings
China’s high‑speed rail “Eight‑by‑Eight” network is nearing completion as a fresh wave of line openings pushes operational mileage beyond 50,000 km in 2025. The latest segments belong to the current five‑year plan, which aims to add another 10,000 km of high‑speed routes...
Glencore Commits 2,400 T/Yr E‑waste Supply to Metallium Texas
Glencore signs a binding deal to supply 2,400 t/yr of e-waste to Metallium’s Texas plant. https://www.metalnomist.com/2026/03/glencore-metallium-e-waste-recycling.html
War‑Driven Insurance Chaos Grounds Persian Gulf Shipping
Why are ships suddenly stuck in the Persian Gulf? Ship insurance is already a maze. Add war and it becomes a labyrinth. In 15 minutes I’m going to attempt the impossible: explain ship insurance 101, what’s happening, why ships won’t sail, and...
The Iran War and Global Trade: Will the Cape Route Become the New Normal?
Armed attacks on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in early 2026 forced shipping lines to reroute around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. The Cape route, once a contingency, saw usage surge, echoing past disruptions of the...
Red Sea Tactics Resurface Against Iranian‑backed Houthis
Deja vu to the Red Sea of two years ago. We saw this same exact tactic against the Houthi. Which makes sense as the Iranians backed the Houthis.
UK Claims No US Aid, yet Relies on US Navy
Starmer repeatedly says Britain isn’t helping the US Navy Meanwhile his defense minister argues the UK doesn’t need to defend it’s territory because US Navy destroyers are doing it for them Why are 🇺🇸 ships protecting UK territory instead of focusing on...
What Happened to ECM Transport?
Werner Enterprises announced a restructuring of its One‑Way network, dissolving ECM Transport, which it acquired in 2021. The move reflects a strategic shift toward higher‑margin segments such as expedited, dedicated and cross‑border Mexico freight. Werner’s One‑Way truck count fell 10%...
Greek VLCC Charters Surge to $5.4M Weekly Record
So, when will ships transit through the Strait? When Greek shipping firms are getting paid $5.4M a week for a Very Large Crude Carrier when the charters a few week ago was for $50k/day.
Port of Oakland Records Slight Growth
The Port of Oakland handled 195,897 TEUs in January 2026, marking a 1.4% year‑over‑year increase and a 9.1% rise from December 2025. Loaded imports grew 4.9% YoY and 15.4% month‑on‑month, while loaded exports were essentially flat, slipping 0.3% YoY. The...
Inside Trump’s Long-Term Economic Strategy, with EXIM Bank’s John Jovanovic
John Jovanovic, chairman of the U.S. Export‑Import Bank, outlined a long‑term economic agenda that aligns with former President Trump’s focus on export resilience and strategic stockpiles. He detailed Project Vault, a demand‑driven critical‑mineral reserve designed to curb just‑in‑time vulnerabilities. Jovanovic also...
India’s Hidden Air Cargo Corridors Present Major Opportunity for Global Carriers
India’s air cargo exports are increasingly coming from Tier 2 and Tier 3 manufacturing centres, now accounting for about 35% of total shipments. Yet most international capacity remains concentrated at Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai, handling roughly 65% of cargo, leaving a...
Beyond Mining: Oklahoma Bets on Refining to Anchor US Critical Minerals Supply Chain
U.S. critical‑minerals strategy is shifting from mining to processing, and Oklahoma is positioning itself as a domestic hub for refining, smelting and magnet manufacturing. The state is courting major projects, including a $4 billion aluminum smelter by Emirates Global Aluminium at...
Sinocism Weekly - March 6, 2026
China’s annual Two Sessions opened with Premier Li presenting a modest Government Work Report that trims the GDP growth target to 4.5‑5% and signals limited fiscal stimulus. The report re‑affirms the push for technological self‑reliance and new quality productive forces,...
Brazilian Steel Slab Exports Double in February
Brazilian steel slab exports more than doubled in February, reaching 835,327 metric tonnes, up 117% year‑over‑year. The United States and the European Union drove the surge, with U.S. shipments rising 54% despite 50% tariffs and EU imports jumping from 50...
AI’s Impact on Warfighting Starts With Logistics
Defense Logistics Agency CIO Adarryl Roberts outlined a "connected enterprise" framework that embeds AI across supply‑chain functions, from procurement to finance. The agency is constructing a data‑mesh backbone to feed "control tower" dashboards, giving senior leaders real‑time logistics visibility. Deterministic...
CMA CGM Preps for Challenging Year After 2025 Revenue, Profit Decline
Container shipping giant CMA CGM warned that its 2025 revenue and profit will fall, signalling a tougher outlook for the sector. The company projects only moderate growth in 2026, with freight rates likely to be influenced by escalating tensions in the...
CMA CGM Expects Moderate Growth After 2025 Revenue, Profit Decline
CMA CGM reported a 6% revenue decline to $34.3 billion and a 30% EBITDA drop to $7.9 billion for 2025. Despite the profit slump, the carrier forecasts moderate growth in 2026, relying on diversified services, flexible networks, and strong balance sheets. It highlighted...
2026 Canadian Trade & Customs Outlook: Forced Labour
Canada’s forced‑labour import prohibition remains largely unenforced, with the CBSA having detained only one shipment confirmed as forced‑labour since 2021. A private‑member Bill C-251 is advancing, proposing a rebuttable presumption that goods from certain entities are tainted unless proven otherwise....
2026 Canadian Trade & Customs Outlook: Trade Remedies
Baker McKenzie highlights a sweeping overhaul of Canada’s trade‑remedies regime, with the CBSA making annual administrative reviews the default for updating normal values, export prices and subsidy amounts. The agency recorded a near‑record number of anti‑dumping and countervailing duty investigations...
Gemini Suspends, Revamps Middle East Services Amid Growing Conflict
Gemini Cooperation announced the suspension of several Middle East services, including routes to Europe and Asia, as well as regional shuttle operations, citing the escalating war in the Gulf. The alliance, which includes Maersk and Hapag‑Lloyd, is launching a new...
Beyond Robots: AI Needs Infrastructure, Supply Chains Evolve
Robots were the unofficial mascot of MWC this year. Meanwhile, the real conversations happening in the halls were about something much bigger: the pressure points shaping the next phase of the industry. AI that needs real infrastructure. Supply chains that are...
February Logistics Manager’s Index Heads up to 61.5 as Lean Inventories Tighten Transportation Capacity and Push up Freight Rates
The Logistics Manager’s Index rose to 61.5 in February, the strongest reading since February 2025 and above the long‑term average of 61.3. Inventory levels slipped to 53.8 while inventory cost pressure eased, yet warehousing utilization accelerated and transportation prices jumped...
Amazon Partner Inks 1M SF Warehouse Lease In Chicago Suburbs
Crane Worldwide Logistics has signed a 992,000 sq ft lease in McCook, Illinois, to store Amazon Web Services data‑center equipment. The warehouse, developed by Bridge Industrial, sits within thirty minutes of O’Hare Airport, offering strategic logistics advantages. The deal follows a wave...
Logic Robotics Develops a Logistics Operating System for the Space Economy
Logic Robotics unveiled a logistics operating system designed to automate the movement of palletized cargo from terrestrial factories to spaceports and beyond. The platform, called LINK, integrates an AI‑driven digital twin that models facilities, vehicles, and missions in real time,...
Brazilian BEK Buyers Brace for Price Hikes Amid Early Impacts of Middle East Crisis
Brazilian bleached eucalyptus kraft (BEK) pulp prices rose 8% year‑on‑year in dollar terms, though a stronger real softened the net effect. February contracts ranged $700‑1,130 per tonne, while the March local‑currency price is set around 4,030 Reais, down 5.1% YoY but...
Aldi Expands Long-Term Supply Deals with British Growers
Aldi UK is expanding long‑term supply agreements with British growers, aiming to secure at least 50 % of its domestic produce by the end of 2027. The contracts, lasting two years or more, will be open to both large and small...
Foxboro Control System Updated Information
Schneider Electric introduced Foxboro SDA, a software‑defined distributed control system that decouples control software from hardware. The open architecture offers vendor independence, scalability, and seamless integration with legacy plants. Built on IEC 62443‑3‑3 standards, it delivers cyber‑secure, AI‑ready operations while lowering...
Explainer: How Commercial Shipping Built Its Own Strategic Cage
The explainer outlines how five interlinked forces—rerouting, chronic overcapacity, dual‑use shipyards, terminal operator leverage, and nearshoring—have collectively confined commercial shipping within a self‑imposed strategic cage. Overcapacity pushes carriers into razor‑thin margins, while geopolitical rerouting adds complexity and cost. Dual‑use shipyards...
Wavelength Podcast: Episode 100. War Risk, Rates and Bad Planning?
Episode 100 of TradeWinds' Wavelength podcast examines the shipping fallout from the US‑Israel attacks on Iran and the broader Operation Epic Fury. It details how the conflict has driven VLCC day rates toward record levels and sparked debate over war‑risk insurance coverage in...
US‑built Patrol Boat P484 Arrives Survivors at Galle Harbour
Based on this video, the survivors were landed in Galle Harbour on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. The patrol boat used in the video, P484, is a Trinity class built in the US. Not sure of the...
Hormuz Strait Moves 35% of Global Oil Trade
Hormuz carries about one-fifth of global oil supply But roughly one-third of seaborne oil trade normally pass thru the Strait The real shock is 35% of globally traded oil. Peak oil is today’s reality. #oil #energy #Hormuz #geopolitics #EnergyMarkets https://t.co/ENXgbxfCcf
Deugro Appoints New Corporate Vice President – Global Energy Solutions
deugro announced the appointment of Saida Sawyer as Corporate Vice President for Global Energy Solutions, effective March 1, 2026. Based in Houston, Sawyer will lead commercial growth and deepen client engagement across the energy and industrial logistics sectors. She brings...
Europe's Shipowners Undercut Trump, World Misjudged TDS
The world underestimated TDS and the willingness of European shipowners to deny people fuel and fertilizer to score a brief “win” over Trump.
Electrifying Sydney‑Melbourne Freight Pays Back in Under Four Years
Electrifying all road freight between Sydney and Melbourne is a no brainer: The payback is less than 4 years #energysky -- via Renew Economy: https://t.co/c9lBrAwKGN https://t.co/bLDZIjZQQ5
Premier Alliance FY2026 PN1 Service Update
Ocean Network Express, Yang Ming, and HMM announced a FY2026 update to the Premier Alliance Pacific North 1 (PN1) service, eliminating the Xiamen call. The final Xiamen‑Tacoma sailing, YM PLUM 194E, will arrive in Xiamen on April 23, 2026. Alternative...
China Funds 168 Ports, Reshaping Global Trade
China providing money to 168 ports in 90 countries. Add the very large Chinese Cosco shipping firm. China and control of global trade and international logistics. The silent trade war.
UK Machine Shop Slashes Cycle Times 21% in One Week
In this podcast episode, we covered how one UK machine shop used optimization tech to cut cycle times by 21% in just one week, and won back a contract from overseas, increasing profits and quality. Stream now: 🔗 https://t.co/qcr2ent2we 📽️ https://t.co/80kIXr8Tg3 https://t.co/yODH1EBpTL
Customs Can Refund Automatically, Yet Reluctantly Delay
"'Customs does have automated systems to process refunds,' said David Cohen, a partner at Sandler, Travis and Rosenberg. 'Yes, the magnitude is unprecedented, but the tariff refund process takes place routinely.'" They just don't want to do it.
CBP Easily Collects Illegal Taxes, Struggles to Refund Them
It was easy for CBP to collect the illegal taxes, but it's apparently impossible for them to return the illegal taxes (with interest). Sure, Jan. https://t.co/t3ZvGLtijs
Global Supply Chains Face Operational and Financial Risks
What would this mean to global supply chains and logistics? The risk—both operational and financial.
US Oil Price Ripple Effects on Transport Dist
What would such a US oil price mean to the prices of distillates used by the various transport modes—and to supply chains?