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
Adif Tenders Contract to Implement Standard Gauge to the Port of Alicante
Spain’s infrastructure manager Adif has tendered a €130 million contract to build a 75‑kilometre standard‑gauge rail line between Alicante and La Encina. The new “third track” will accommodate freight trains up to 750 metres, creating a mixed‑gauge connection that joins the port of Alicante to the high‑speed network. This makes Alicante the third Spanish port, after Barcelona and Valencia, with a 1,435 mm gauge link to the TEN‑T Mediterranean Corridor. The investment aims to boost rail freight capacity and encourage a modal shift from road transport.
Shippers Pull Freight From Load Boards, Favor Direct Carriers
We have spoken with large brokers and hearing a trend - some shippers are demanding that their freight is not posted on load boards for fear of theft or compliance shutdowns. This is an emerging policy. The winners in this are asset...
Awery Appointed Software Provider for Group Concorde
Awery Aviation Software has been selected as the exclusive software provider for Group Concorde, India’s leading General Sales and Service Agent, delivering a total cargo management solution via its integrated Enterprise Resource Planning platform. The ERP system will centralize data...
Emirates SkyCargo Deploys Two Additional Freighters to India
Emirates SkyCargo is adding two weekly freighters to its India network, with a Mumbai service launching on 4 March and a dedicated Dubai‑Ahmedabad flight starting later that month. The expansion lifts the airline’s weekly uplift to roughly 3,000 tonnes and brings its...
Nvidia's Obligations Surge, Raising Structural Risk
Short Thought: Nvidia Ratchets Up the Risk Michael BurryFeb 26 Welcome to one short thought. Just going through the Nvidia numbers. I would like to highlight for you one specific aspect of their financials that I find troubling. The 2026 Form 10K...
The Cyber Resilience Act: Implications for the Global Rail Industry
The EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) is set to overhaul security requirements for the global rail supply chain, targeting connected products and software. Nomad Digital hosted a webinar with experts from Alstom, Durham University and its own security team to...
ECS Group Named International GSSA of the Year at STAT Trade Times Awards
ECS Group has been named International General Sales and Service Agent (GSSA) of the Year at the 2026 STAT Trade Times International Award for Excellence in Air Cargo. The accolade was presented by Eric Wilson, senior vice‑president of cargo sales...
Aerion Recognised for Innovation at STAT Trade Times Air Cargo Awards
Aerion was awarded the Innovative Logistics Solutions in Air Cargo of the Year at the 2026 STAT Trade Times International Award for Excellence in Air Cargo. The accolade, presented by Dallas Fort Worth International Airport CEO Chris McLaughlin, acknowledges Aerion’s technology‑driven,...
Delivering Loyalty: How YETI and DHL Build Trust Through Supply Chain Excellence
In this episode of All Business No Boundaries, Yeti’s SVP of Supply Chain, Marty Duff, discusses how the brand’s rapid growth and product complexity are supported by a strategic partnership with DHL Supply Chain. Both companies emphasize a customer‑centric approach,...
An Interview with… Steve Ramsay, EH Smith Civils Solutions
EH Smith Civils Solutions, a division of the historic EH Smith Builders Merchants, was named the 2025 Builders Merchants Awards “Civils Merchant of the Year.” The business has posted nearly a 50% sales increase over the past two years, driven...
Kale Launches Cross-Border E-Commerce Platform
Kale Logistics Solutions introduced AvSys, a cross‑border e‑commerce platform that provides piece‑level tracking and end‑to‑end visibility for air cargo parcels. The system bridges the first, middle, and last mile, delivering real‑time data sharing and full regulatory compliance for airlines, e‑tailers,...
The First TGV INOUI Trainset Set to Have Its Service Life Extended
French rail operator SNCF Voyageurs has launched the O2D programme, modernising the first TGV INOUI trainset and targeting 104 high‑speed trainsets for life‑extension. The €600 million investment aims to stretch operating life from 34 to up to 50 years, adding roughly 15 % more...
Czechia’s SŽ Launches Savings Drive with Layoffs and Major Restructuring
The Czech Railway Administration (SŽ) will begin a sweeping organisational overhaul in April, eliminating more than 120 positions—mostly administrative—and centralising dispatch functions under two control centres in Prague and Přerov. The restructuring, driven by new Director General Tomáš Tóth, targets...
Zimbabwe's Lithium Ban Likely Short‑Lived, Minimal GDP Impact
The Zimbabwe export ban seems to be due to transfer pricing, ie producers understating grade/value of exports. Similar to what we saw from the Chinese company that operated Bald Hill in Australia a few years ago. On my calcs, average Zimbabwe...
Market Talks: Market Moves Since the Fertilizer Latino Americano Conference
In this episode, Argus Brazil editor Renata Cardarelli and fertilizer specialist Gisele Augusto review how Brazil and the Southern Cone fertilizer markets have evolved a month after the Fertilizer Latino-Americano (FLA) conference. They note a sharp slowdown in RIA deals,...
Port of Tilbury Receives Approval for Tilbury3 (T3) Expansion
The Port of Tilbury has secured outline planning consent from Thurrock Council for the Tilbury3 (T3) expansion, allocating 143 acres for port operations and ecological mitigation. The project will create a high‑capacity, rail‑connected multi‑modal hub with direct road links and...
Brazilian and Malaysian Ports Ink MoUs
Brazil’s Suape Industrial Port Complex signed two MoUs with Malaysia’s Westports and Northport at Port Klang, establishing a permanent communication channel between the two port groups. The agreements aim to launch new long‑distance maritime routes and expand logistics links, potentially...
UPS Overtakes FedEx to Become World’s Largest Express Air Cargo Hub
UPS’s Worldport hub at Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport has overtaken FedEx’s Memphis super‑hub to become the world’s largest express air‑cargo hub by daily flights and tonnage capacity, according to the Chaddick Institute’s Global Cargo Hub Review. The Louisville hub...
Bull of the Day: Fabrinet (FN)
Fabrinet reported record fourth‑quarter revenue of $753.3 million, a 15% year‑over‑year increase, and posted a new high EPS of $2.41. The board approved an additional $139.5 million share‑repurchase program, underscoring confidence in cash flow. Analysts upgraded the company to a Zacks Rank...
Global Supply Chain Volatility Pushes Sports Brand On to Open Robot-Centric South Korean Factory
Swiss performance brand On has inaugurated its second automated footwear factory near Busan, South Korea, featuring 32 robots. The new plant, together with the Zurich site, is projected to boost global production capacity by 30 times in 2026, shifting the...
Where to Buy Process Automation Services for Manufacturing
Manufacturers are accelerating digital transformation, but internal expertise often lags, driving demand for third‑party process automation services. The article highlights five leading providers—Malisko, Emerson, ABB Group, ATS Automation, and Yokogawa—each offering distinct strengths from IoT integration to turnkey solutions. These...
Fire Horse Freight Frenzy: VLCC Markets Smash Records in Supertanker Anniversary Year
The 2026 Year of the Fire Horse marks the 60th anniversary of the world’s first VLCC, Idemitsu Maru, and has sparked a surge in supertanker charter rates, with spot prices topping $200,000 per day and rumors of a one‑year deal...
Newag Hybrid Multiple Unit for PKP Intercity
Polish manufacturer Newag unveiled its first hybrid multiple‑unit for PKP Intercity, a train that combines electric and diesel power to operate on both electrified and non‑electrified lines. The units can reach 160 km/h on electrified tracks and 120 km/h on non‑electrified routes, with...
Boeing Defects and Rework Fell Due to Better Supplier Relations: Exec
Boeing reported a 40% drop in quality rework hours over the past year, attributing the improvement to stronger collaboration with its 1,200‑plus suppliers. Senior Vice President Ihssane Mounir highlighted expanded engineering support and a heightened focus on defect prevention as...
Wio Bank and Kibsons Partner to Bolster UAE Food Supply Chains and Reward Grocery Shoppers
Wio Bank PJSC has teamed up with UAE fresh‑food retailer Kibsons to embed digital banking services into the grocery ecosystem. The deal provides supply‑chain finance that improves liquidity and cash‑flow visibility across Kibsons’ import, distribution and e‑commerce operations. From now...
You CAN Afford to Wait for AI. But You Can’t Afford to Wait To
Enterprises must first secure master data, integrate applications via open APIs, and modernize processes before chasing generative‑AI projects. Proven technologies such as adaptive robotic process automation, predictive analytics, and point‑based neural networks deliver reliable, low‑risk outcomes. Talent acquisition and continuous...
Predictive Maintenance Robotics: How AI and Automation Are Redefining Industrial Asset Reliability
Predictive maintenance robotics leverages AI and machine‑learning to shift industrial upkeep from fixed‑schedule preventive care to condition‑based, data‑driven actions. Continuous sensor streams—vibration, acoustic, thermal, electrical—are analyzed in real time to spot anomalies and forecast component failures. The approach integrates with...
Software Development AI Robotics: Engineering Intelligent Machines for the Real World
Software development is now the backbone of AI robotics, enabling machines to perceive, decide, and act in real‑world environments. Frameworks such as the Robot Operating System (ROS) and edge‑AI hardware like Nvidia Jetson streamline sensor fusion, simulation, and real‑time control....
Nvidia’s Comments on Supplies for Gaming Chips: Tight for a Couple of Quarters
Nvidia CFO Colette Kress told analysts that the current shortage of graphics chips and cards for gaming rigs will persist for the next few quarters. The tight supply stems from Nvidia’s aggressive allocation of fab capacity to higher‑margin AI accelerators....
GB Railfreight Confirms Diesel Auction
GB Railfreight has announced a March auction of its older diesel fleet, featuring ten Class 60 heavy‑haul locomotives, three Class 47s and several Class 08 shunters. The disposal is part of a broader renewal programme that will replace legacy diesel with bimodal Class 99...
Trade Doesn't Flow on Roads − It Flows on Data
Africa’s trade potential hinges on overhauling its digital infrastructure, not just fixing ports or roads. Current IoT systems rely on permanent roaming SIMs and single‑core networks that crumble at borders, inflating costs and risk. Surveys show operators are shifting to...
Co-Op Appoints Andy Wilmot as Group Supply Chain and Logistics Director
Co‑op announced the appointment of Andy Wilmot as group supply chain and logistics director, effective April 2026. Wilmot, a veteran of A.F. Blakemore and DHL, replaces Derek Furnival, who is retiring after three decades. The hire is positioned to accelerate Co‑op’s operational...
Standardising Deep Hole Drilling Through Adaptive Process Control
DMG MORI has launched Adaptive Drilling Control (ADC), a sensor‑driven cycle that standardises deep‑hole and gun drilling on universal machining centres. By monitoring pressure, flow and spindle load in real time, ADC continuously adjusts coolant delivery and feed rates, turning a...
CMB.TECH Seals Five-Year Capesize Charters
Belgian shipowner CMB.TECH has secured five five‑year charters for its capesize bulkers, adding $304 million in revenue and lifting its contract backlog to roughly $3.05 billion. The deals, which start in the coming months, include vessels built between 2014 and 2018 and...
NSW Backs Startup Manufacturing and Innovation with $1M MVP Ventures Boost
The New South Wales government has allocated more than $1 million to 22 early‑stage companies through the first round of the 2025‑26 MVP Ventures Program. The grants target priority sectors such as housing, manufacturing, energy, health and digital technologies, helping firms...
Hartman Seatrade Adds Two Liebherr LS 250 Ship Cranes
Hartman Seatrade is equipping its newest vessels with two Liebherr LS 250 ship cranes, each capable of lifting 250 tonnes and reaching 36 metres. In tandem mode the pair can handle lifts up to 500 tonnes, expanding the fleet’s heavy‑lift and project‑cargo capabilities. The...
Kennametal Announces Search for ‘Machinist of the Year’
Kennametal has launched a global "Machinist of the Year" program to honor long‑term customers who excel in machining. Regional marketing teams in the Americas, EMEA, APAC and India will each select a winner based on video submissions that showcase tool...
LFI Expands Manufacturing Focus with Asia Pacific HQ in Newcastle
La Force International (LFI) has launched LFI Asia Pacific Pty Ltd in Newcastle, marking its first overseas entity outside the United States. The new hub will serve Australia, Singapore and the broader Asia‑Pacific market, targeting mining, aerospace, advanced manufacturing and...
AI Boom Fuels Data Demand for Small Innovators
SONAR is having the best quarter in years. One of my board members asked if I were concerned about the rise of AI and if it would be a drain our data business. I told her that we are seeing...
Last Tickets: Fireside Chat with RXO CEO on Freight Market
Still some tickets left to our first event of the year. We have a great speaker lineup and I am very excited to speak with RXO’s CEO in a fireside chart to discuss state of this crazy freight market.
From Leftover Plums to Health Products: Nutrafruit Advances Manufacturing From Fruit Waste
Australian firm Nutrafruit is converting bruised or sun‑burnt Queen Garnet plums—fruit that fails supermarket standards—into health‑focused powders, drinks and other nutraceuticals under its PurQ brand. The plums are freeze‑dried to lock in colour, flavour and antioxidant content, turning waste into...
Burning Out on AI, Missing Family, Game Release
I have this insatiable urge to work 100 hour weeks to deploy the latest AI @flexport, and struggling to find time to be with my family and then they have to go and drop the most perfect video game ever...
China's Rare Earth Export Curbs Still Limit US Supply
Chinese rare earth export controls are still choking off lots of material to the US
Michel Bechtel Appointed as New Port Commissioner for Port Houston
Michel Bechtel, former mayor of Morgan’s Point, has been appointed to the Port of Houston Authority Commission, succeeding Stephen H. DonCarlos after a 12‑year tenure. He joins the board with a portfolio that spans energy, coastal protection, and maritime governance....
Nvidia Gaming GPU Supply Remains Tight for Quarters
Nvidia's gaming graphics chip production will be tight for a couple of more quarters, CFO says. https://t.co/V7qkJlyb5l
USNS Mercy Heads Toward Panama Canal, Not Greenland
Hospital Ship Update: Latest AIS data shows USNS Mercy making a steady south-southeast run across the central Gulf towards the Yucatán Channel — pointing to the Panama Canal, not Greenland. https://t.co/LOKjvzQxcI
Dar Ports Become Bargaining Chip Against Mombasa for EA Traders
South Sudan is redirecting most of its import‑export cargo from Kenya’s congested Mombasa port to Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam and Tanga terminals after a bilateral agreement. The shift follows persistent delays, a $5,000 security levy per container, and higher handling...
Trucking Fleets Peaked June 2023, Now on Decline
The number of trucking fleets increased over the past 20 years, without slowing down. That all changed in June 2023, when the number of fleets peaked and has dropped ever since. We expect that number to continue to shrink over...
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Rolls Out Secure Edge Data Center Brand DIAVAULT
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has launched DIAVAULT, an industrial‑grade edge data centre platform that integrates power, cooling and AI compute for on‑premise processing. The solution targets low‑latency, secure workloads in manufacturing, defense and 5G environments, addressing data‑privacy and latency concerns of...
Compliance Crackdown Reshapes US Carrier Market, Says RXO CEO
RXO CEO: the compliance crack down is the biggest structural change to the U.S. carrier market since industry deregulation https://t.co/72I5GCAt7d