Today's Supply Chain Pulse
Oman transit corridor revives India’s West Asia trade
India’s May 2026 exports to West Asia rebounded to $5.30 billion after a sharp March dip, thanks to a new transit corridor through Oman’s Sohar, Salalah and Duqm ports that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. The recovery was led by the UAE, where shipments rose 3.18% year‑on‑year, and Saudi Arabia, which also saw notable gains.
Also developing:
By the numbers: GIA acquires 30% stake in De Beers' Tracr blockchain platform
Porsche Shuts Down Three Subsidiaries, Sparking Investment‑bank Advisory for Asset Sales
Porsche announced the closure of its Cellforce battery unit, eBike Performance and Cetitec software subsidiary, cutting more than 500 jobs. The move follows a strategic overhaul that includes the sale of Bugatti Rimac stakes to a HOF Capital‑led consortium, a deal likely steered by investment banks.
Proficient Auto Q1 2026 Revenue Dip Highlights COO Amy Rice's Operational Playbook
Proficient Auto reported first‑quarter revenue of $93.7 million, down 1.6% year‑over‑year, while units delivered rose 1.5% to 501,850. COO Amy Rice attributed the mixed results to plant shutdowns, a new driver‑supply rule and higher fuel costs, and outlined a Q2 revenue...
McKesson Posts 18% EPS Rise, Boosts FY2026 Guidance on Strong Pharma Demand
McKesson Corp. announced adjusted earnings of $39.11 per diluted share for fiscal 2026, an 18% jump, and raised its FY2027 guidance to $43.80‑$44.60 per share. The health‑care distributor credited specialty drug demand, AI‑driven cost cuts, and a $5.1 billion shareholder return...
Sudan’s War Strips the Acacia Trees that Supply Coca-Cola and PepsiCo
Sudan’s three‑year civil war has devastated its acacia forest belts, forcing families in Khartoum and Gezira to rely on firewood as LPG cylinders now cost about $22.50. The hashab acacia trees, which supplied 70‑80% of global gum arabic for food‑grade...
Lunar Outpost Secures $30 Million Series B to Mass‑Produce Moon Rovers
Lunar Outpost announced the close of a $30 million Series B round led by Industrious Ventures, funding the ramp‑up of its Pegasus and Eagle rover lines for upcoming Artemis‑era missions. The financing arrives as NASA readies a $20 billion, seven‑year push for a...
Pentagon Press Pass Rendered Useless After NYT Lawsuit
Y’all don’t know the half of it. I met with the recently fired Secretary of the Navy before his confirmation, and I had repeated contact with his staff. The reforms they planned were revolutionary. The day before he was fired, he held...
Muon Space Scales Workforce Following Transition to Constellation-Scale Manufacturing
Muon Space, fresh from a $146 million Series B round and high‑value defense contracts, is scaling its workforce to shift from custom satellite builds to a mass‑production "Mission Foundry" model. The company opened a 130,000‑square‑foot San Jose facility capable of delivering up...
The Iran War Will Change Global Energy Markets in These Important Ways, Oil Executives Say
The Iran war and the resulting blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have eliminated nearly a billion barrels of oil, prompting oil‑field‑service CEOs to warn that governments will now prioritize energy security and boost oil exploration. U.S. shale exports have...
AD Ports Group Develops Defence Industrial Free Zone
AD Ports Group and the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement have announced a strategic partnership to build the Al Selmiyyah Defence Industrial Free Zone in Abu Dhabi. The initiative seeks to attract leading original equipment manufacturers, localise defence production, and...
BYD Secures 100,000-Vehicle Order From Car Inc in Major Push for Flash Charging
Chinese EV maker BYD has signed a procurement agreement with Car Inc for 100,000 vehicles to expand the rental fleet. The deal includes installation of BYD’s second‑generation flash‑charging stations, part of its “Flash Charging China” plan to build 20,000 chargers...
EDI Meaning in Shipping: How EDI Shipping Works + Tips
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is a standardized, computer‑to‑computer protocol that lets merchants, 3PLs, and carriers exchange shipping documents such as purchase orders, invoices, and advance ship notices without manual input. By translating internal ERP fields into industry‑wide formats and transmitting...
US Prioritization Assumption in Hormuz Conflict Proven Wrong
I agree 100% with @ProfTalmadge and noted this major misstep in my recent @AtlanticCouncil column on the energy security lessons so far from the Iran war. @RapidanEnergy's pre-war modeling of a Hormuz conflict assumed the US military would...
Kodiak and Roehl Transport Begin Autonomous Freight Operations Between Dallas and Houston
Kodiak AI has begun autonomous freight operations with Roehl Transport, hauling trucks between Dallas and Houston four times per week. The Kodiak Driver, the company’s AI‑powered autonomous system, earned a 98‑out of‑100 VERA safety score, the highest in an independent...
New Defense Bill Threatens Payment Deadline for U.S. HIMARS: President
President Lai Ching‑te warned that the initial payment for U.S.-made HIMARS, due by May 31, could be delayed because a new defense bill forces a month‑long budget‑review and legislative approval before funds are released. The legislation caps Taiwan's 2026‑33 defense budget...
Opinion: Autonomy Is Reshaping Logistics, but Its Real Value Lies in Better Decision-Making
The piece argues that autonomy—not just automation—is reshaping logistics by turning real‑time data into actionable decisions. Labor shortages, rising costs and supply‑chain volatility are pushing warehouses toward faster adoption, with automation growth exceeding 10% annually. Digital twins and AI‑driven mobile...
Kyodo News Digest: May 9, 2026
Top diplomats from the United States, Japan, Australia and India will convene in New Delhi to discuss reducing reliance on China for critical minerals, marking the first Quad foreign‑minister meeting since July 2025. Meanwhile, Japanese steelmaker JFE Holdings warns of an...
China’s Cars Aren’t in the U.S., but Its Auto Parts Are Everywhere
Chinese firms have quietly built a massive footprint in the U.S. automotive supply chain, owning stakes in roughly 10,000 American parts suppliers. More than 60 of those suppliers are directly controlled by Chinese companies, ranging from air‑bag producers to glass...
Iraqi Fuel Trucks Cross Syria, Arrive in Spain
Iraqi fuel oil, transported by trucks to the Syrian port of Banyas and then loaded onto an oil tanker, has now reached its final destination in Spain. Hundreds of trucks traveled daily through the western Iraqi desert and across Syria to...
Supermicro-Tied Execs Used Thailand Government Entity to Ship Nvidia AI GPUs to China — Report Alleges Chinese Web Giant Alibaba...
A Bloomberg investigation links Supermicro executives to a $2.5 billion scheme that diverted restricted Nvidia AI GPUs to China using a Thailand‑based entity. The intermediary, identified as Obon Corp., is alleged to have routed H200‑based servers to Chinese internet giant Alibaba,...
Jet Fuel Exports Hit 10‑Year Low, Europe Looks to U.S. Supply
Global seaborne jet fuel exports dropped to a ten‑year seasonal low of 1.1 million barrels per day in April, a 630,000 bpd decline from a year earlier. With Middle‑East shipments stalled and prices for Jet A‑1 up 50%, European airlines are evaluating...
TSMC and Sony Form Joint Venture to Build Next‑Gen Image Sensors in Kumamoto
TSMC and Sony Semiconductor Solutions signed a non‑binding MOU to create a joint venture in Kumamoto, Japan, focused on next‑generation image sensors. Sony will hold a majority stake and the partnership will combine Sony’s sensor design expertise with TSMC’s advanced...
USPS Q2 FY2026 Loss Narrows, Revenue Up 2.3% as Supply‑Chain Fixes Take Hold
The U.S. Postal Service posted a $2.0 billion net loss for Q2 FY2026, a $1.3 billion improvement from a year ago, while operating revenue rose 2.3% to $20.2 billion. Management highlighted supply‑chain efficiencies, a temporary regulatory waiver, and aggressive cash‑conservation tactics as the...
PortSide Stories: New York & New Jersey
The Port of New York and New Jersey, the largest container hub on the U.S. East Coast, processes millions of TEUs each year, linking North America to Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Modern terminals accommodate ultra‑large vessels, while extensive rail...
Rare Metals Race Fuels New Capitalism in Emerging-Market Supply Chains
Zambia’s copper exports, worth $7‑10 billion annually, and China’s aggressive undersea mineral program are intensifying a global fight for rare metals. The competition is reshaping supply chains in Africa and beyond, forcing emerging markets to confront new geopolitical and environmental pressures.
European Stocks Slip as US‑Iran Strait Clash Sparks Market Divergence
European equity markets fell on Friday as fresh US‑Iran clashes in the Strait of Hormuz heightened geopolitical risk, while US indices surged to fresh highs on strong jobs data. The split underscores a growing divergence between European and American market...
Haitian Textile Workers Reject $7.70 Wage Hike, Extend Strike Demanding $23 Daily Pay
Textile workers at Haiti's CODEVI industrial park rejected the government's $7.70 minimum‑wage increase and prolonged their strike, demanding a daily wage of $23. The standoff threatens a $844 million U.S. apparel export market and highlights deep cost‑of‑living pressures on low‑skill labor.
China's Crude Imports Fall 20% as Hormuz Shipments Stall, Gas Down 13%
China’s April crude oil imports slipped 20% year‑on‑year to 38.47 million tons and natural‑gas imports fell 13% to 8.42 million tons as shipments through the Strait of Hormuz stalled. The decline follows a series of U.S. strikes on Iranian‑flagged tankers and Tehran’s...
U.S. Navy Disables Two Iranian Tankers, Heightening Strait of Hormuz Tensions
U.S. Central Command confirmed that an F/A‑18 Super Hornet struck and disabled two Iranian‑flagged tankers in the Gulf of Oman on Friday, enforcing a blockade of Iran’s ports. The action provoked Iranian retaliation, strained the nascent cease‑fire and put the...
Brent Crude Slides to $70 a Barrel as Hormuz Tension Extends, Fitch Warns of Prolonged Disruption
Brent crude fell to $70 a barrel, the lowest level since early 2024, as Fitch Ratings warned that the Strait of Hormuz disruption could last longer than initially expected. The price slide follows a recent peak of $126 per barrel...
Nvidia Invests up to $3.2 B in Corning to Turbo‑charge U.S. Optical Components for AI Data Centers
Nvidia has committed a $500 million upfront prepayment and warrants that could total $3.2 billion, securing Corning as its long‑term supplier of optical connectivity for AI data centers. The partnership will see three new factories in North Carolina and Texas, a ten‑fold...
Which Trump Tariffs Are in Place, in the Works or Ruled Illegal
President Donald Trump’s trade agenda has been in constant flux, with tariffs ranging from fentanyl‑related duties on Canada, Mexico and China to industry‑wide commodity surcharges and forced‑labor bans covering 60 countries. The centerpiece—a 10 percent tariff on most imports—was recently ruled...
Long Overlooked, Caspian Sea Provides Strategic Trade Route for Iran
Israeli jets struck Iran’s Bandar Anzali naval hub on the Caspian Sea, underscoring the waterway’s rising strategic importance. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively blocked by U.S. forces, Iran and its ally Russia have turned to the Caspian as a...
Taiwan’s Plastic Habit Collides With Shortages Caused by a Faraway War
Taiwan’s plastic sector is scrambling for feedstock after the Iran war disrupted petrochemical shipments from the Persian Gulf. Formosa Petrochemical, the island’s largest producer, imports two‑thirds of its naphtha from the Middle East, but tankers stopped arriving in early March,...
Behind DP World’s Geopolitical Act of War Insurance
DP World has introduced a war‑risk insurance product that goes beyond a typical commercial offering, positioning the UAE‑based port operator as a de‑facto insurer of record. The move is framed as a geopolitical instrument, intertwining the company’s operational footprint with...
Hon Hai, Poland Firm Evaluate Potential EV Production, R&D Hub
Taiwanese manufacturing giant Hon Hai (Foxconn) has formed a strategic partnership with state‑owned ElectroMobility Poland (EMP) to evaluate establishing an electric‑vehicle production and R&D centre in Poland. The joint effort focuses on leveraging Foxtron Vehicle Technologies' EV platforms and engineering...
Hambantota Port Draws Interest From Global Shipping Lines Amid Route Shifts
Hambantota International Port in Sri Lanka is drawing attention from major carriers such as CMA CGM and Evergreen as they evaluate new container services amid ongoing Middle East disruptions. The port lies just 10 nautical miles from the primary East‑West shipping...
Russia Weaponizes Nuclear Supply Chain, Sparking Global Vulnerability
It is strange how little attention is broadly directed towards how Russia uses nuclear supply chain dominance as a weapon of war and harm. Good piece: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-08/russia-nuclear-power-diplomacy-and-dependence/106647598
Blockchain Adds Traceability, Turning Authenticity Into Product Feature
A product can reach high levels of quality and efficiency, yet without traceability it remains exposed to replication. Blockchain introduces verifiable provenance into supply chains, making authenticity part of the product, limiting counterfeits. Microblog @antgrasso https://t.co/WMhryXJsHf
China Wants to Build a High-Speed Undersea Rail Tunnel
China is evaluating a 123‑125 km undersea high‑speed rail tunnel across the Bohai Strait, linking Dalian and Yantai. The route would shave travel time from six‑to‑eight hours down to roughly 40 minutes, integrating the corridor into the nation’s broader high‑speed network....
China’s Chip Imports Surge to $50B, Oil Stalls
If you want to sell to China, it sure helps to make chips -- at least right now. April chips imports topped USD 50b Note the lack of any bounce in oil imports in dollars terms as well 1/ https://t.co/sc6I5sL5uw
China's Vehicle Exports Surge 50% to 12 Million
50% y/y growth in vehicle export volumes pushed China's April vehicle exports to an annualized pace of 11.2 million. Full year exports could reach 12m, passenger car exports are on track to to 10m -- 1/2 https://t.co/7rRg8aSumT
Vietnam Slated to Order BrahMos and Naval Vessels From India
Vietnam announced plans to purchase three to four Indian offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and 14 high‑speed patrol boats, a deal valued at roughly $300 million under a broader $500 million defence line of credit from India. An additional $200 million is being considered...
China's April Exports Rise; Import Growth Slows
China's April export shipments rose 14.1% while its imports increased 25.3% in April, below the 27.8% in March. https://t.co/NOYBqEfdgZ
USPS Mulls Shipping Handguns, Raising Safety Concerns
They wake up every morning asking what terrible thing they can think of next. USPS considers allowing people to ship handguns through the mail https://t.co/dUutrx5FwP
Queensland Funds New Biomedical Manufacturing Projects to Strengthen Sovereign Capability
Queensland has earmarked about US$133 million from its Sovereign Industry Development Fund for its first biomedical manufacturing projects. More than US$12.9 million will support AdvanCell’s Thorium‑228 radiopharmaceutical plant and US$1.6 million will fund Southern RNA’s semi‑automated sterile fill‑finish platform, together creating roughly 100...
Fertilizer Shortage Spikes Potato Prices, Makes $136k Spenders Millionaires
FACT: If you spent $136,000 on potatoes last month, you'd be a millionaire right now. Potato prices have skyrocketed from €2.5 to €18.5 per 100 kg because fertiliser supplies are drying up after the Strait of Hormuz was closed. https://t.co/vyaLL0pKgh
Record 5,000+ Chinese EVs Arrive in Brazil
"A ship from China brought over 5,000 electric cars to Brazil at once: it was the largest operation ever recorded by the port, with 5,101 vehicles disembarking in Paranaguá." https://t.co/64NwDDTaSX
ASUS Is Reportedly Scaling Back Its RTX 5070 Ti Focus in Favor of the RTX 5080: Blackwell Supply Is Apparently...
ASUS is reportedly scaling back production of several GeForce RTX 5070 Ti models in Q2 2026, shifting capacity toward the higher‑priced RTX 5080. Both cards share 16 GB GDDR7 memory, but memory shortages and margin considerations are prompting ASUS to prioritize the more profitable 5080....
China’s Refined Fuel Exports Hit Decade Low Despite HK Exemption
China's exports of diesel, gasoline, jet fuel other refined fuels fell to the lowest level in a ~decade in April thanks to the export ban. That probably understates the contraction because the trade figures include HK, which is exempted from...
Protectionism Deepens Poverty in Global Crises
Protectionism makes everyone poorer during global shocks via @FT ✍️Dr Ngozi WTO DG @wto https://t.co/FJktdmvyWF