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
Philippine Manufacturers ‘Squeezed’ as Costs Soar, Demand Falls
Philippine manufacturers are facing a double squeeze as inflation surged to 7.2% in April and the S&P Global PMI slipped to 48.3, signaling a contraction in factory activity. The Federation of Philippine Industries warned that rising fuel, electricity, freight and raw‑material costs are eroding household purchasing power, dampening demand. Companies are shortening planning cycles, tightening capital expenditures and exploring automation to mitigate uncertainty. The industry group urged the government to lower logistics costs, secure affordable energy and strengthen domestic supply chains to restore confidence.
New Mexico Company Sets Sights on Bolstering the Domestic Supply of Mo-99
Eden Radioisotopes LLC, based in Albuquerque, has submitted a construction permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a new radioisotope production facility near Eunice, New Mexico. The plant will focus on manufacturing Molybdenum‑99, a critical isotope used in thousands...
Australian Manufacturing Week 2026 Enters Final Run-Up to Brisbane Debut
Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW) 2026 will debut in Queensland, taking place at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from May 12‑14. The three‑day trade show, run by the Australian Manufacturing Technology Institute Limited, will feature dedicated zones for machine tools,...
Dem Representative Admits to Working with Mexico to Sneak Oil Into Cuba, Despite Blockade
Rep. Pramila Jayapal said she spoke with Mexican ambassadors about ways to get oil into Cuba, prompting a firestorm of criticism that her remarks could violate U.S. sanctions and possibly the rarely‑used Logan Act. She defended the conversation as part...
VPA Veteran McCoy Tapped as CEO of Port of Virginia
Sarah McCoy, a 12‑year veteran of the Virginia Port Authority, has been appointed CEO of the Port of Virginia, the sixth‑largest U.S. container port by volume. She previously served as interim CEO and executive director since January, succeeding Stephen Edwards...
Lytx Previews AI Agents at Its Annual Protect Conference
Lytx announced beta testing of its Lytx AI Assistant and purpose‑built AI Agents at the Protect 2026 conference. The agents—Risk Analyst, Campaign Builder, and Fleet Strategist—are trained on each fleet’s data to automate event triage, training campaign creation, and complex pattern...
Why Most Automation Programmes Plateau Between Cell and Line
A Tier 1 automotive supplier’s plants show robots meeting cell‑level targets while line‑level throughput improves only 4% over three years, far short of the 22% goal. The gap stems from an under‑scoped integration layer linking robotic cells, MES, ERP and WMS,...
Demand Tracker: Pakistan Navy’s Next Helicopter Fleet
The Pakistan Navy’s rotary‑wing capability hinges on an aging fleet of about 20 Westland Sea King helicopters, supplemented by six Chinese Z‑9EC anti‑submarine units and roughly seven Alouette III light utilities. Budget pressure from the Hangor‑class submarine program, the new Jinnah‑class...
Manufacturing Consolidation and Automation Could Help Australia’s Food Supply Chain Withstand Mounting Pressures, Dematic Says
Australia’s food and beverage supply chain is under a "perfect storm" of fuel price volatility, fertilizer shortages, and shifting consumer buying habits, according to warehouse‑automation specialist Dematic. The company warns that distribution centres are being stretched as multiple pressures converge,...
Defence to Deploy Classified Version of Space Data Repository
Defence has signed a $37 million Australian‑dollar contract—about $24 million USD—with Bluestaq to deploy a classified version of its Unified Data Library (UDL) for space situational awareness. The UDL, originally trialled in a non‑classified environment since December 2023, will catalog satellites, debris and...
Cartwheel Expands ezCater Integration to Streamline Catering Deliveries
Cartwheel has expanded its integration with ezCater, letting restaurant operators access ezCater Dispatch directly from the Cartwheel dashboard. The unified interface supports hybrid delivery models that blend in‑house drivers with third‑party networks and automates mandatory real‑time tracking standards. Enhanced navigation...
Vienna’s Hydrogen Bus Failure Is A Warning To Transit Agencies
Vienna’s transit agency found seven of its ten newly delivered hydrogen buses out of service by May 2026 because the Portuguese OEM CaetanoBus could not provide ordinary spare parts such as door compressors and blind‑spot monitors. The buses, which entered service...
US Air Force to Receive Qatar‑Gifted 747 by July 4
Scoop from my colleague: (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force is targeting a Fourth of July delivery for a Boeing 747 gifted by Qatar that would join the Air Force One fleet in time for the nation's 250th anniversary, a...
AirAsia's A220 Deal Faces Long Road Ahead
Dateline Mirabel for reporting from @theaircurrent: Great look at the long and winding road for an AirAsia deal for the (now) A220 from Julie Johnsson & @HowardSlutsken and what comes next for the Canadian single-aisle. https://t.co/EIYUd4Zj9C
Tacoma ILWU Local Attempting to Block Husky Technology Effort
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union’s Tacoma Local 23 is filing a complaint to stop Husky Terminal from installing optical character recognition (OCR) technology on its gantry cranes. The union claims the system, which automatically reads container numbers as they are...
Signature Solar Opens Reno Hub, Eyes South Carolina Expansion
Signature Solar announces Reno, NV distribution center, targets South Carolina for next facility #energysky -- via pv magazine usa: https://t.co/RABhCVyLPW https://t.co/fRlPSIEh70
Only a COVID‑scale Demand Shock Offsets Hormuz Closure
"only thing that could possibly offset the supply lost due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would be another exogenous COVID-level demand destruction event" https://t.co/PPzI5Mt2Ni
EXEC: Nidecker Group Adds Europe Distribution for Etnies, éS, and Emerica
The Nidecker Group has signed OneTurn as the lead distributor and regional operations partner for its skateboarding brands Etnies, éS and Emerica across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). OneTurn will oversee wholesale, e‑commerce, regional marketing and apparel development...
Trump Administration Begins Paying IEEPA Tariff Refunds
I've been critical (& skeptical) of the Trump admin's IEEPA tariff refund system, but this is legitimately good news. Much more to do to ensure everyone gets paid, but still... VERY good: "Tariff Refunds Have Started Being Paid by Trump Administration"...
Trump Halts ‘Project Freedom’ Shipping Aid in Strait of Hormuz Amid Iran Talks
President Donald Trump announced a pause to the U.S. “Project Freedom” operation that was guiding stranded commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The decision, made at the request of Pakistan and other regional partners, follows diplomatic headway with Tehran...
FCC Approves New E‑Rate Bidding Portal, Schools Warn of Burdens
The Federal Communications Commission voted on April 30 to launch a competitive bidding portal for the E‑Rate program, which funds school and library broadband. Advocates for more than 80 education groups called the change unnecessary and overly burdensome, arguing it...
DHL CEO Warns of Jet‑fuel Shortfall in Asia, Threatens Air Cargo Capacity
DHL chief executive Frank Meyer warned that a persistent shortfall of 10‑12 million barrels of crude per day could tighten jet‑fuel supplies at key Asian airports, prompting flight cancellations and higher air‑freight charges. The warning follows Middle‑East conflict that has choked...
Australia, Japan Commit $1.67 Bn to Boost Critical Minerals Supply Chains
Australia and Japan announced a joint declaration that earmarks up to $1.3 bn from Australia and $370 m from Japan to accelerate critical‑minerals projects. The move aims to diversify supply chains for rare earths, lithium and other strategic resources, reinforcing both economies’...
Aurora Secures 500‑Truck Autonomous Deal with Hirschbach Motor Lines
Aurora Innovation announced a contract to supply 500 autonomous semi‑trucks to refrigerated‑freight specialist Hirschbach Motor Lines, with deliveries slated to begin in 2027. The deal expands Aurora’s Driver as a Service offering, letting Hirschbach own the hardware while paying for...
Isembard and Dexory Team Up to Scale Industrial Robot Production
Isembard has signed a manufacturing partnership with Dexory to produce parts for autonomous warehouse robots across the UK and the United States. The collaboration aims to lift annual output to thousands of units by the end of 2027, addressing scaling...
Syspro Launches Marketplace to Extend ERP Value for Manufacturers and Distributors
Syspro announced the live launch of its Syspro Marketplace, a curated portal of partner solutions that plug directly into the ERP platform. The marketplace aims to simplify the addition of analytics, AI, CAD, CRM and other capabilities for mid‑size manufacturers...
U.S. Precious Metals Overtake Energy as Top Export
Very weird, kinda unsettling data (via @EBGresser): The United States' top export in February 2026 (and also now March) isn't energy or aircraft but... precious metals. And it's a trade that really took off in early 2025: https://t.co/SdVljJBXQC https://t.co/TLWP2ZCoD4
Ant Group Invests in ACE ROBOTICS
Ant Group, through its subsidiary Shanghai Yunyang Enterprise Management Consulting, has become a shareholder in Shanghai ACE Robotics, raising the firm’s registered capital to 154 million yuan (approximately $21.5 million). Founded in July 2025, ACE Robotics focuses on embodied intelligence, developing autonomous decision‑making...
Attack on French Cargo Ship Highlights Continued Risks in Strait of Hormuz
A French‑flagged CMA CGM container ship, the San Antonio, was hit by an Iranian projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, injuring eight crew members. The United States’ Project Freedom, a naval escort program, and the shipping company disagree on whether the vessel...
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...
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...