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
CPKC, CSX Launch ‘Improved’ Southeast Mexico Rail Route
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) and CSX have launched an upgraded Southeast‑Mexico rail service that cuts transit times by 20‑45%, delivering a one‑day faster run between Atlanta and Dallas and a two‑and‑a‑half‑day reduction to central Mexico. The service adds new origins in Charlotte, Jacksonville and Central Florida and incorporates track, bridge and signal upgrades across five Gulf states. By offering speed comparable to trucking, the SMX line aims to capture intermodal volumes amid rising fuel costs and tighter truck capacity. Each train can replace up to 300 semi‑trucks, lowering emissions.
U.S. Airlines Are Spending Over $5 Billion in Fuel, Up More Than 50% Since the Iran War Started
U.S. airlines spent $5.06 billion on jet fuel in March, a 56% jump from February. The average price per gallon climbed 30.9% to $3.13, driven by geopolitical tension from the Iran war. Carriers responded with five industry‑wide fare increases and higher...
China's Engineering State and Supply Chain Capture Explained
Originally locked behind a book purchase. Releasing it now as I pivot to P3. @danwwang (Breakneck) & @PatrickMcGee_ (Apple in China) on China — engineering state, supply chain capture, and what it means for U.S. @p3institute https://t.co/eYEg95ORpN
FDA Warns of Neurosurgical Supply Disruptions
The FDA placed neurosurgical patties, sponges and strips on its medical device shortage list after Medline Industries recalled all of its neuro‑sponge products because of elevated endotoxin levels. The recall, classified as a Class 2 event, has created a nationwide shortage...
AUR’s “Driverless” Trucks Still Require Human Driver
Correction. This is what $AUR calls driverless when they use Paccar trucks. There is still a human sitting in that front seat per Paccar's requirement.
Canadian Government To Spin-Off III-V Foundry Unit
The Canadian government is preparing to spin off the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Center (CPFC) into a stand‑alone commercial entity. CPFC, the nation’s only pure‑play III‑V compound semiconductor foundry, operates a 40,000‑square‑foot facility with an additional 8,000 square feet of clean‑room...
Visual Confirmation of CS Anthem, Alliance Fairfax Arrivals
Looks like visual confirmation on CS Anthem and Alliance Fairfax, along with statements from both Crowley and Maersk. But what the heck do I know. https://t.co/HceTYvtTVc
Victory in Iran Is Nothing Short of Finishing It Off
President Trump abruptly paused Project Freedom, the U.S. Navy escort of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, and hinted at a possible diplomatic deal with Iran. The opinion piece argues that the pause mirrors past U.S. missed opportunities to...
Trucks Are Empty One-Third of the Time. AI Can Fix That
Retail logistics faces a massive empty‑mile problem, with one‑third of truck miles driven without cargo, costing roughly $1 trillion annually. The inefficiency stems from fragmented carrier networks and a focus on local optimization rather than system‑wide coordination. AI‑driven orchestration platforms are...
US Manufacturers Are Accelerating Reshoring, But Most Lack the In-House Capacity to Keep Up
A BigRep‑commissioned survey of 250 U.S. manufacturers with over 1,000 employees shows reshoring is accelerating, with 30% already bringing outsourced production in‑house and another 49% actively transitioning. Yet only 34% feel their current in‑house capacity can fully absorb supply‑chain shocks,...
Signature Solar Announces Reno, NV Distribution Center, Targets South Carolina for Next Facility
Signature Solar, a Texas‑based solar distributor, is opening a 76,000‑square‑foot warehouse and a 2,000‑square‑foot retail store in Reno, Nevada. The new hub will serve DIY homeowners and B2B installers on the West Coast, shortening shipping times and lowering freight costs....
US Fuel Exports Surge 20% to 8.2 Mn Barrels Daily
Last week, the US exported more than 8.2mn barrels a day of refined fuels including gasoline, diesel & jet fuel, an increase of more than 20% from the same period last year, according to the US Energy Information Administration. https://t.co/fTwGskrYWH...
Nissan’s Canton Reversal Shows Where the EV Reset Hits First
Nissan has scrapped plans to turn its Canton, Mississippi plant into a battery‑electric SUV hub, opting instead for conventional and hybrid trucks and SUVs. The pivot reflects a broader reassessment of EV program assumptions across North America, as Ford, GM...
Rail Freight Surges 4% YoY, Industrial Activity Booms
Rail freight is roaring and industrial activity continues to surge with rail shipments up 4% YoY
Silence From High-Level Sources May Signal Imminent Hormuz Crisis
To be clear: I have no information, on or off the record. But my gut says something may break soon around Hormuz. What has my attention isn’t what sources are saying. It’s which high-level sources have suddenly gone quiet. Sometimes silence is the...
How Letters of Credit Compare to Export Credit Insurance When Buying From China
The article explains how letters of credit (LCs) and China’s state‑owned export‑credit insurer Sinosure address opposite sides of the payment‑risk equation for ecommerce brands importing six‑ to seven‑figure inventory from China. LCs provide a bank guarantee that protects the supplier,...
Shipowners Remain Wary of Hormuz Amid Iran Outreach
Shipowners Stay Cautious on Hormuz as Iran Says ‘Contact Us’. Maritime security and safety. https://t.co/BkabcM9sQY
BIMCO Warns Project Freedom Pause Spikes Hormuz Risk
BIMCO Warns Abrupt ‘Project Freedom’ Pause Complicates Hormuz Risk Calculus. Oil and other products that come thru the Strait. Can this go on until supply shortage meets demand destruction? https://t.co/R2ZJUtaZxX
Amazon Adds Same-Day Grocery Delivery in 2,300 US Cities
Amazon is extending its Business platform to include same‑day grocery delivery in 2,300 U.S. cities, letting companies order office supplies and perishables together. The service uses temperature‑controlled fulfillment to keep items fresh and is available to Business Prime members with free...
OpenSquareCap’s Q1 Letter Maps Post‑War Energy Market Outlook
Q1 letter from @OpenSquareCap is the best breakdown of Iran war energy implications I've read. The granularity of the supply chain analysis and alt data interpretation is just something else. Whatever the outcome of the conflict, this letter maps out where energy...
Navigating the Many Issues Surrounding China’s Ports Abroad
China’s overseas‑port strategy has expanded to more than two dozen nations, where Chinese firms act as builders, financiers, operators and investors. Host governments tout expected gains in cargo capacity, surrounding economic zones, jobs and foreign‑exchange earnings, while critics highlight debt...
Smart Planning Overcomes Growing Complexity in Supply Chains
Planning is getting more complex, but smarter planning drives results. Lisa Anderson shares 3 key planning challenges + 3 ways to address them. Watch the Supply Chain Byte. #SupplyChain #Planning #Manufacturing https://t.co/Owl5yN9vva
Geekplus Partners with Mindugar to Accelerate Warehouse Automation Adoption Across Latin America
Geekplus, a global mobile‑robotics leader, has teamed up with Latin America’s storage specialist Mindugar to roll out Shelf‑to‑Person and Tote‑to‑Person automation systems across the region. The partnership blends Geekplus’s P800, PopPick and RoboShuttle Plus platforms with Mindugar’s extensive racking infrastructure, offering...
Fed Data Shows Global Supply Chain Pressure Hits 4-Year High
The New York Fed’s Global Supply Chain Pressure Index (GSCPI) jumped to 1.82 in April, its highest reading since July 2022. The surge follows the Iran‑Israel conflict, which has disrupted freight routes and pushed fuel prices higher. Fed President John...
Iran’s Oil Sector and Economy Are Under Pressure as U.S. Blockade Bites
The United States’ naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, imposed on April 13, has halted all Iranian oil tankers, straining the country’s export pipeline and filling on‑shore and offshore storage to near capacity. Iran, which produces roughly four million barrels...
SpaceX May Spend up to $119B on ‘Terafab’ Chip Factory in Texas
SpaceX is weighing a $55 billion initial outlay, potentially rising to $119 billion, to build a vertically integrated semiconductor plant dubbed "Terafab" in Grimes County, Texas. The proposal, filed on the county website, envisions a multi‑phase fab that could eventually generate one...
Trump Claims Deal with Iran to Reopen Hormuz: Update
President Donald Trump announced a tentative peace deal with Iran that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the U.S. "Epic Fury" operation. Iran's foreign ministry said it is still reviewing the U.S. proposal, labeling some clauses unacceptable. Crude...
Norway’s Leopard 2A8 Tanks Highlight European Network
Norway will acquire 54 Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks, with the first two arriving in April 2026. Seventeen units are built by KNDS in Germany while the remaining 37 will be produced at a new Levanger facility starting autumn 2026. The...
USTR to Review China Tariffs as Section 301 Takes Center Stage
The U.S. Trade Representative has launched a four‑year review of the 2018 Section 301 tariffs imposed on Chinese imports. The review covers two 25% levies that affect roughly $32 billion of goods across more than 500 tariff subheadings. Domestic industries must submit...
Army's $50B MAPS Vehicle Hit with Second Protest
The U.S. Army’s $50 billion Marketplace for the Acquisition of Professional Services (MAPS) vehicle has encountered a second protest, this time from Intelligence Consulting Enterprise Solutions, joining an earlier challenge by MetroStar Systems. Protesters argue the solicitation lacks transparency, citing frequent...
58% Execs Predict More Localized Supply Chains by 2030
Survey of 1,800 global executives from Prologis and The Harris Poll finds a majority, 58%, forecast more localized supply chains by 2030, with only 31% expecting continued globalization. (My write-up in @forbes) https://t.co/4afHA5ytaD
DRAM Drought to Dog AMD's Chips This Year
AMD warned that PC CPU shipments will dip in the second half of 2026 as a DRAM shortage drives memory prices up four‑fold. The chipmaker still expects its Client segment to post year‑over‑year revenue growth, buoyed by Ryzen adoption and...
Pirelli to Begin Cyber Tyre Manufacturing in Georgia, US
Pirelli will begin manufacturing its Cyber Tyre technology at its Rome, Georgia plant, marking the first U.S. production of the sensor‑enabled tyre. The rollout coincides with Italy’s golden‑power intervention that curtails Chinese investor Sinochem’s board influence. The Georgia facility will...
Amazon Opens Freight, Warehousing, Delivery Network to Third‑Party Businesses, Threatening 3PLs
Amazon announced its Amazon Supply Chain Services (ASCS) platform is now open to any business, offering freight, warehousing and parcel delivery using its massive logistics fleet. Early adopters include Procter & Gamble, 3M, Lands’ End and American Eagle, and the...
Unusual Machines, 6K Energy, CRG Defense, SES AI Take Steps to Be NDAA Compliant
The U.S. Department of Defense is accelerating domestic drone production with a $53.6 billion budget and tighter NDAA restrictions on foreign components. Companies such as SES AI, 6K Energy, CRG Defense, and Unusual Machines are taking compliance steps, from converting a...
Taiwan’s Manufacturing PMI Hits 60.3% as AI‑Driven Chip Demand Tightens Supply
Taiwan’s manufacturing purchasing managers index climbed to 60.3% in April 2026, marking a seventh straight month of expansion and the strongest reading since September 2021. The surge reflects soaring AI‑driven semiconductor demand that is tightening supply across the island’s factories....
Brazil Poised for $21.3 Bn Critical‑Mineral Investment by 2030
Brazil will draw $21.3 bn in critical‑mineral investments through 2030, a 15.2% rise over the previous forecast. The surge centers on rare‑earth, lithium and other battery metals, positioning the country as a key alternative to China’s dominance.
NY Fed Index Hits Covid-Level Supply Chain Disruptions
🇺🇸 The NY Fed Global Supply Chain Pressure Index jumped in April to Covid-like disruption levels. https://t.co/ywfPzNS5oq https://t.co/23NKq4esGS
US‑Iran Language Clash Masks Real Strait of Hormuz Status
Setting aside the nuclear situation, there's an issue with the 1st point right off the bat - language. The US says "Iran lift its chokehold over the SoH" and Iran says "SoH is open...follow these protocols (incl. payment)." Both sides agree on...
Delfin LNG Gains More Momentum With Another SPA on Path Toward FID
Gunvor Group announced a new sale‑and‑purchase agreement to buy additional LNG from the Delfin floating‑liquefaction project off Louisiana. The deal follows a similar SPA signed in 2023 and adds to Delfin’s existing contracts covering more than 4 million tonnes per year....
Volvo and Aurora Deploy 200‑Mile Autonomous Freight Route Between Dallas and Oklahoma City
Volvo Autonomous Solutions and Aurora Innovation have begun operating a 200‑mile autonomous freight corridor between Dallas and Oklahoma City. The Volvo VNL Autonomous, equipped with Aurora’s Driver, runs five days a week in supervised mode, marking the first multi‑state customer‑endpoint...
Kapten & Son Strengthens UK Presence with Major Logistics Investment.
Kapten & Son has launched its first UK‑based fulfilment centre, partnering with logistics firm Quivo to cut delivery times from seven days to one‑to‑three business days. The move follows a 2025 Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) shipping solution that eliminated customs...
GlobalFoundries Reports Double‑digit Q1 Growth and Oversubscribed SiGe Capacity Through 2027
GlobalFoundries announced double‑digit percentage growth in automotive, communications infrastructure and data‑center markets for Q1 2026, and warned that its silicon‑germanium (SiGe) capacity at the Vermont fab is already oversubscribed through 2027. The company also previewed its Investor Day on May...
Q&A: How the Strait of Hormuz Closure Affects Global Oil Supply
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has halted the transit of roughly 20% of the world’s oil, sending shockwaves through global commodity markets. Tim Statts of Schneider Electric explains that despite the U.S. being the top oil producer, it...
Corning Boosts US Optical Capacity Tenfold for AI Demand
"Corning will increase its U.S.-based optical connectivity manufacturing capacity by 10x and expand its U.S. fiber production capacity by more than 50% to meet the accelerating demand driven by AI factory buildouts." https://t.co/VX9jOQr1Bg
Supply Chain Masters Reveal Upside in Constraint Map
I'm working on a report on the constraint map (I know it's an overused term) but still apt. But in this environment, the easiest way to see the upside is by those who are masters of the supply chain. https://t.co/9ZCdGgQZVs
Heavy-Chain BsAbs More Manufacturable than Light-Chains
Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) have grown to 19 FDA approvals and roughly 250 candidates in development, but scaling their production remains a bottleneck. A recent study by Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México researchers compared six BsAb architectures and linked design to...
Regulators Should Rely on Peers’ GMP Audits to Cut Inspection Burden
Biopharma manufacturing sites face an average of 2.68 GMP inspections per year, each lasting up to nine days, and preparation can take six months to a year. The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) argues that regulators should...
Canmakers Say Capacity Is Tight as They Gear up for Big Summer
Cankmakers Ball, Crown Holdings and Ardagh Metal Packaging reported strong Q1 revenue growth but warned that capacity will be tight as summer promotions ramp up. Ball posted $3.6 B sales, up 16.3% YoY, and is investing $35 M in a new Oregon...
China Sweeps up $1.7B of Robot Exports
China reported robot exports worth CNY 11.3 billion (about $1.7 billion) in the first quarter of 2026, shipping to 148 countries and regions. Cleaning robots dominated the mix with CNY 7.6 billion ($1.1 billion) in sales, while industrial variants contributed CNY 3.2 billion ($450 million). The government highlighted a...