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
X-365 Precision XY Gantry System Offers Configurable, Affordable Motion for High-Throughput, High-Accuracy Applications
Physik Instrumente (PI) unveiled the X‑365 Precision XY Gantry System, a modular Cartesian robot that delivers nanometer‑class positioning across travel ranges from 200 × 200 mm up to 600 × 800 mm. The platform combines high load capacity with integrated linear‑encoder feedback and EtherCat‑based controller compatibility, enabling both high‑speed motion and sub‑micron accuracy. Designed for semiconductor handling, laser processing, additive manufacturing, and laboratory automation, the X‑365 bridges the performance gap between traditional XY stages and full‑scale robotic arms. PI positions the system as an affordable, scalable solution for high‑throughput precision automation.
Chef and Entrepreneur Launch Canadian Chocolate Maker to Challenge Foreign Suppliers
Toronto chef Brandon Olsen and entrepreneur Michael Held are launching As We Do Chocolate, a premium Canadian‑made chocolate manufacturer aimed at the B2B market. The venture seeks to fill a gap left by U.S. and European conglomerates by offering high‑quality,...
6K Additive Signs Long-Term Supply Agreement with Siemens Energy Supporting Circularity in Nickel-Based Alloys
6K Additive has signed a global long‑term supply agreement with Siemens Energy to receive spent nickel‑alloy powder from Siemens’ additive‑manufacturing sites. The reclaimed material will be processed in 6K’s UniMelt microwave plasma system, converting it into virgin‑grade, AM‑ready powder. To...
The Mechatronic Approach to Designing Motion as a System
Mechatronics is evolving from isolated components to fully integrated motion systems, where motors, drives, controllers, and software operate as a single organism. Kollmorgen’s SFD‑M feedback device exemplifies automatic motor‑drive parameter exchange, cutting commissioning time and eliminating manual errors. Integrated design...
Melotte Successfully Installs Amsight as Full-Process Data System, Marking the Next Step Toward Reducing CT Scanning Efforts
Melotte, Additive Center, and amsight GmbH have deployed a full‑process data capture system at Melotte’s facility. The platform records structured data from raw material receipt through printing, post‑processing and CT scanning, creating a unified digital thread for each semiconductor component....
ONE Expands Belawan Service
Ocean Network Express (ONE) announced the extension of its Belawan Service 1 (BMX) to include Kuala Tanjung in North Sumatra, Indonesia. The new rotation—Singapore‑Belawan‑Kuala Tanjung‑Singapore—will commence with MV Sinar Sunda’s arrival on March 9, 2026. By linking Kuala Tanjung directly...
Orkim Secures MR2 Charter with Petronas Trading Unit
Malaysian tanker owner Orkim has signed a six‑month time‑charter for its 2012‑built Orkim Citrine MR2 tanker with PETCO Trading Labuan, the trading arm of Petronas. The agreement, effective at the end of February 2026, includes an option to extend another six...
Freire Signs Deal with Sweden’s FMV for Four Naval Support Vessels
Spanish shipbuilder C.N.P. Freire has secured a contract with Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to build four 47‑meter naval support vessels. The ships are designed for harsh weather and ice, carrying 16 crew, reaching 12 knots and sustaining up to...
The State of Fleet Management Directly From the Fleets
A recent Fleetio survey of 600 fleet professionals reveals that rising operating costs and tightening emissions regulations dominate executive concerns, with over half of respondents flagging cost inflation and 46 % citing compliance pressures. While more than 70 % have adopted dedicated...
Mitsubishi Delivers First Ammonia Fuel Supply Systems for Marine Use
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has shipped the first ammonia fuel supply system (AFSS) and ammonia gas abatement system (AGAS) for Japan Engine Corporation’s inaugural ammonia‑fueled marine engine, model 7UEC50LSJA‑HPSCR. The AFSS delivers ammonia to the engine safely and steadily, while the AGAS...
Cabinet Secretary Dubs US Merchant Marine America’s Secret Weapon
Did a cabinet secretary just call the US Merchant Marine America’s secret weapon? I always wanted to be a secret agent like Commander Bond… but Captain Konrad, Secret Weapon has a better ring to it 😜 Cue the deepest eye roll from...
Ukrainian Bitumen Imports to Remain Steady in 2026
Ukrainian bitumen imports held steady in 2026, following a record‑high 190,000 tonnes in 2025 after a 111,700‑tonne year‑on‑year jump. Major suppliers from Poland and Lithuania, led by Orlen, plan to ship roughly 100,000 tonnes this year, while Orlen Lietuva targets about 550,000 tonnes...
USDOT’s Proposed Amtrak Restructuring Plan Draws Scrutiny
USDOT is evaluating a sweeping restructuring of Amtrak, proposing a holding company with three subsidiaries for infrastructure, rolling stock, and operations. The Rail Passengers Association warns that without guaranteed public funding, the plan could jeopardize service levels, increase fares, and...
Chinese Ports Are the Next Geoeconomic Battleground
China’s state‑owned and private firms have built a maritime logistics empire spanning 133 ports in 67 countries, turning the global ports network into a new geoeconomic battleground. The United States, European Union and Australia are mounting legal, regulatory and acquisition‑based...
Egypt’s NCIC Awards Fertilizers Sales Tender: Update
Egyptian state‑owned NCIC announced the award of its latest fertilizer sales tender on 19 February, covering March loading. The tender granted 20,000 t of DAP at $750/t FOB, 25,000 t of TSP at $560/t FOB, 20,000 t of granular urea at $492/t FOB, 20,000 t...
Europe Is Helping Ukraine Resist a US Push for Peace at Any Price
European governments are stepping up to shield Ukraine from a U.S. push for a rapid peace settlement that would require territorial concessions. While Washington seeks a quick ceasefire, the EU has increased military aid by 67 percent in 2025 and approved...
Tariffs Are Down, But Uncertainty Is Back
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Trump lacked authority to impose the emergency “Liberation Day” fashion tariffs, reducing the import levy to a baseline 10 percent with a possible rise to 15 percent. While the headline cut offers short‑term...
The Reconfiguration of Mexico’s Supply Chains
Mexico’s exports to the United States reached record levels last week, yet the country’s trade surplus with its northern neighbor contracted. Analysts attribute the paradox to a strategic reconfiguration of Mexican supply chains, increasingly funneling production toward the U.S. market...
Tanker Rates Hit Three-Year High Amid US‑Iran Tensions
TANKER RATES for chartering vessels to carry crude (or other dirty products such as fuel oil) have surged to the highest for more than three years as the United States and Iran edge towards war. The Baltic Exchange dirty tanker...
Karaoke Maker Disrupts Freight Market with Innovation
Read the latest edition of the Art of Supply newsletter on LinkedIn: How a Former Karaoke Machine Manufacturer Shook the Freight Market https://t.co/MaKdkmTAPS
IAG Cargo to Manage Qatar Airways Cargo Ground Handling in Dublin
IAG Cargo has been appointed the ground handling agent for Qatar Airways Cargo at Dublin International Airport. The deal covers all cargo processed through IAG’s Dublin facility and supports 17 weekly belly‑hold flights between Dublin and Doha. It is part...
Merchant Marine Essential for Rebuilding US Industrial Base
“We can not rebuild our industrial base without the US Merchant Marine. They are critically important,” @PeteHegseth in a news conference yesterday.
Cyber Supply Chain Security Is Essential for National Resilience
Cyber supply chain security is no longer optional—it’s essential for resilience, innovation, and national security. Read the full piece: The Cybersecurity Challenges of the Supply Chain by @ChuckDBrooks https://t.co/THnR3VKAJx #cybersecurity #technology #supplychain
Sciwind Biosciences and Pfizer China Partner to Commercialize Ecnoglutide in China
Sciwind Biosciences granted Pfizer China exclusive rights to commercialize ecnoglutide injection in Mainland China. Sciwind will keep the marketing authorization and handle R&D, registration, manufacturing, and supply, receiving up to $495 million in milestone payments. Ecnoglutide, a cAMP‑biased GLP‑1 receptor agonist,...
Japan's New Rare Earth Find Won't Shift Global Supply
Japan has identified a large rare earth deposit of its own, but it's not going to change global supply dynamics. Here's the situation... #rareearths #japan #geopolitics https://t.co/2WX7oeO6Jm
Fashion Players Issued Warning as Trump’s 10% Global Tariffs Go Live
The United States has activated a 10% tariff on all imported fashion goods, marking the first phase of former President Trump’s global levy program. Industry analysts warn that a further increase to 15% is possible, intensifying cost pressures across the...
DB Cargo UK Tests Class 93 Tri-Mode Locomotive on Intermodal Service
DB Cargo UK tested the Stadler‑built Class 93 tri‑mode locomotive on an intermodal service between Seaforth and Mossend, hauling up to 1,500 tons. The trial, run with Rail Operations Group, Network Rail and ASLEF, showcased electric, diesel, hybrid and battery‑only operation on...
Cathay Cargo January YoY Volumes Increase 5%
Cathay Cargo reported a 5% year‑on‑year increase in total cargo for January 2026, alongside a 3% rise in available freight tonne‑kilometres (AFTKs). Growth was driven by strong demand for fresh produce from Oceania, increased pharmaceutical shipments from Europe and Central...
FedEx Sues to Reclaim Trump-Era Tariff Duties
A FedEx lawsuit seeks to recover—with interest—the duties the logistics company paid under President Trump’s tariffs https://t.co/bitdrQp2wv via @WSJ
DHL Express and LODD Autonomous Partner to Develop Hili-Based UAV Cargo Services
DHL Express and LODD Autonomous have signed an MoU to explore integrating LODD’s Hili unmanned aircraft into DHL’s express network. The Hili UAV can lift up to 250 kg, carry two Euro pallets, and fly 700 km with VTOL capability. Both parties...
Stadler and Critical Software Launch Stadler Digital Labs
Stadler and Critical Software have created a joint venture, Stadler Digital Labs, with a 51%/49% ownership split. The new company will develop railway‑specific software, cybersecurity solutions, and digital products from offices in Coimbra and Lisbon. It launches with roughly 100...
Student Mobility Startup ZeroMoblt Raises Pre-Seed Round
ZeroMoblt, a student‑mobility platform founded in April 2024, announced a pre‑seed round of ₹1.5 crore co‑led by JioMart CEO Sandeep Varaganti, Ashok Agrawal and high‑net‑worth investors. The capital will accelerate its AI‑native technology, expand operations across key Indian education hubs, and...
ABB Picks Corvus Energy Battery Systems for New US Ferries
ABB Marine & Ports, acting as the propulsion single‑source vendor for Washington State Ferries, has selected Corvus Energy’s Dolphin NxtGen battery systems for two new hybrid ferries. The 1,500‑passenger vessels, built by Eastern Shipbuilding and slated for delivery in 2030‑31,...
20 Associations Make (Another) Pledge Against Gigaliners Regulation
Twenty European transport associations have issued a joint statement urging revisions to the EU Weights and Dimensions Directive (WDD) before gigaliners are widely deployed. They argue the current draft fails to address modal shift, road safety, infrastructure wear and intermodal...
World Bank Enables $1.41 Billion in Funding for Middle Corridor and KTZ
The World Bank’s Board approved an $846 million IBRD guarantee, mobilising $1.41 billion in private financing for Kazakhstan’s Middle Corridor and rail operator KTZ. The funding will finance a 322.3 km Moyynty‑Kyzylzhar line, tariff reforms and institutional support, including IPO preparation. The project...
Smart Water Systems in Automated Manufacturing
Industrial water treatment is shifting from manual oversight to a continuously monitored, data‑driven asset within automated factories. Sensors on reverse‑osmosis units feed pressure, conductivity and flow data into PLCs and SCADA systems, allowing real‑time alignment of water quality with production...
‘Leaks’: How Much Shareholder Value Are We Losing Due to Inefficiencies in the Supply Chain?
Large importers typically budget ocean freight as a fixed line item, assuming rates will stay within a narrow range. However, Xeneta data shows that container rates can swing 500% during crises and still move 20‑30% within a single fiscal year,...
Gemini Shines as Container Line Punctuality Plummets in 2026
The Gemini alliance of Hapag‑Lloyd and Maersk has lifted its on‑time delivery rates well above industry averages, though it still falls short of its 90% target for most services. Xeneta data shows global carrier punctuality plunged to 30% in January,...
The Port of Koper Records a Highly Successful 2025 with Greater Rail Throughput
The Slovenian Port of Koper reported a robust 2025, handling 23.0 million tonnes of cargo while rail’s share of total throughput rose to 51%. Net sales reached €380.3 million, up 13% versus the plan and 15% year‑on‑year, and EBIT surged 44% to...
AIRHART Chosen as Heathrow Airport’s New Digital Backbone
Smarter Airports, the joint venture of Copenhagen Airports and Netcompany, announced that Heathrow Airport has selected the AIRHART platform as its new digital backbone. The multi‑year agreement will replace Heathrow’s legacy Airport Operational Database and embed collaborative decision‑making and predictive...
Apple to Start Assembling Mac Mini in the United States This Year
Apple will begin assembling the Mac mini in the United States in 2026, a notable shift for a product that makes up about five percent of global Mac sales. The 2024 redesign introduced the first major update since 2010, pairing...
Freightos Revenues up Nearly 25% in 2025
Freightos reported $29.5 million revenue for 2025, a 24 % increase over 2024, driven by higher carrier participation and transaction volume. Adjusted EBITDA narrowed to a $11.2 million loss, improving from $12.6 million the prior year, while cash reserves remain sufficient to fund growth....
UK Threatens Retaliation After Trump's 15% Tariffs Backfire
In the aftermath of Trump’s new 15% tariffs, the UK threatens it will RETALIATE. TRUMP’S TARIFFS = BACKFIRE. https://t.co/k7gyK9spmB
Here’s Why Demand for Macs Has Spiked
Apple’s Mac lineup is experiencing unprecedented demand, pushing US lead times to two‑four weeks, the longest in years. The Mac Studio now has a 27‑day wait, followed by the M4‑powered MacBook Pro at 23 days and the Mac Mini at...
ECER.com Redefines the Future of Mobile B2B Commerce
ECER.com is transforming international B2B trade by turning smartphones into full‑service sourcing hubs. The platform adds instant mobile alerts, multilingual AI chat and live video, letting buyers respond to inquiries any time, as demonstrated by a Guangzhou firm that closed...
ICCM Says Government Policy Has Tightened the Metals Cycle
The International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM) warned that heightened government oversight is tightening the global metals cycle, curbing the explosive price spikes typical of past supercycles. In its 2025 Tax Contribution Report, ICMM members paid $37 billion in taxes...
RATP Dev Signs Contract to Operate the Caen Rail Network
RATP Dev has secured a 10½‑year contract to operate the Caen metropolitan rail network, starting July 2027. The deal covers ten key routes, representing about 20% of the region’s TER traffic, and follows an 18‑month pre‑operation phase aimed at a smooth...
ERTMS Deployment in EU Member States Remains Very Slow
The European Coordinator for ERTMS released its third work plan, confirming that deployment across EU Member States remains markedly behind schedule. In 2024 only 12,400 km – about 10% of the TEN‑T network and 17% of the core network – were...
GB Railfreight Explores Transition to Hydrogen
GB Railfreight has signed a non‑binding memorandum of understanding with US clean‑energy developer HyOrc to launch Project Phoenix, a feasibility study that will explore retrofitting ageing Class 66 diesel locomotives with a multi‑fuel engine that first runs on natural gas or...
$1.9B SEED Precinct Targets Advanced Manufacturing, Factory Opportunities in Western Sydney
Mirvac and Australian Retirement Trust have secured state approval for the first stage of SEED, a $1.9 billion industrial precinct in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis. The 39‑hectare development, part of a 90‑hectare masterplan adjacent to the upcoming Western Sydney International Airport,...