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
April Orders for Alternative-Fuelled Ships up Sharply
DNV reported 38 alternative‑fuel ship contracts in April 2026, up sharply from five in March and 17 in February, though still 11 fewer than April 2025. Year‑to‑date orders total 84 vessels, excluding LNG carriers, with LNG (20) and LPG (14) leading the mix. Ammonia appears in four new bulk‑carrier deals, while methanol orders remain at three for the year. Alternative‑fuel ships now account for just over 1% of the operating fleet but represent nearly 15% of the global orderbook, reflecting a twelve‑fold increase since 2020.
How Are Trucking Fleets Using AI?
AI has moved from concept to operational core, with nearly half of surveyed fleet managers now deploying it. Real‑time route optimization alone can slash fuel and operating expenses by up to 50%, while predictive maintenance and AI‑driven safety systems deliver...
John Crane Saves 99.8% on Water for LNG Exporter
John Crane’s Type SB2 USP dual‑cartridge seal reduced water consumption at a Louisiana LNG export facility from roughly 2,000 gallons per day to just 3‑4 gallons, achieving a 99.8 % cut. The seal operates reliably at 180‑200 °C, eliminating the need for a continuous...
Zeabuz to Deploy Docking Assist Across Brim Explorer Fleet
Zeabuz has partnered with Brim Explorer to install its ZeaWatch Docking Assist on the MS Bre in the third quarter of 2026, with plans to retrofit the entire Brim Explorer fleet, including vessels on order. The system combines cameras and 4D...
Roeth: It’s Time to Consider Replacing Old Equipment
Rising diesel prices, now hovering around $5 per gallon, are prompting fleets to re‑evaluate the cost of operating older Class 8 trucks. Fleet Advantage’s Truck Life Cycle Data Index shows that swapping a 2022 model for a 2028 version can shave...
Express Global Expands Asia Presence with New Singapore Office
Express Global announced the launch of a new office in Singapore, positioning the firm within one of the world’s most strategic logistics hubs. The Singapore location will enable the company to serve customers, partners, and stakeholders across Southeast Asia more...
Texas PV Module Production to Exceed 15 GW in 2026
Texas will produce more than 15 GW of silicon‑based solar PV modules in 2026, accounting for roughly half of all U.S. domestic output. The surge is driven by high‑capacity players such as T1 Energy, Canadian Solar, SEG Solar, Waaree Energies, Imperial...
Tradepoint Atlantic and MSC Launch $1.2B Sparrows Point Container Terminal in Baltimore
Tradepoint Atlantic and Terminal Investment Ltd., the MSC‑BlackRock joint venture, broke ground on the Sparrows Point Container Terminal, a $1.2 billion, 168‑acre marine box hub with capacity for over 1 million TEU annually. The privately financed project aims to plug into an...
Iran-Israel Conflict Sends Chinese Plastic Prices Up 50%, Threatening Factory Margins
The Iran‑Israel war has pushed plastic pellet prices in China up roughly 50% since the conflict began, forcing vacuum‑cleaner maker RIMOO and other manufacturers in Guangdong to absorb losses and stoke workforce anxiety. Traders in Zhangmutou describe the price swing...
‘Switzerland Could Withdraw Its Wagon Wheel Rules Decision’
At the ERFA Rail Freight event in Brussels, Swiss Transport Director Christa Hostettler addressed the contentious wagon‑wheel safety rules Switzerland imposed after the 2023 Gotthard Base Tunnel derailment. The unilateral standards have been challenged in court by rail freight operators...
Nickel Spot Price Jumps 17% After Indonesia Cuts Production Quotas
Nickel’s spot price surged 17% in the first quarter of 2026 after the Indonesian government announced a 30% cut in ore production and a reduction in 2026 export quotas. The World Bank attributes the jump to the policy shift, which...
Valve Says Steam Controller Sold Out Faster Than Expected, Restock Planned
Valve announced that its newly launched $99 Steam Controller sold out in minutes, far exceeding demand forecasts. The company pledged to increase production and provide a timeline, while scalpers have already listed the device for $200 or more on resale...
Rolls‑Royce Launches MOD‑Backed Additive‑Manufacturing Cell in Bristol
Rolls‑Royce has opened a Ministry of Defence‑backed additive‑manufacturing development cell at its Bristol site, creating a dedicated hub for metal 3D‑printing research aimed at aerospace components. The move signals a deepening partnership between the UK defence establishment and the aerospace...
Rising LPG Costs Bleed Exporters’ Margins, Erode Competitiveness
India’s commercial LPG price jumped by Rs 993 (about $10.45) on May 1, lifting a 19‑kg cylinder above Rs 3,000 ($31.56). The surge, driven by higher international benchmarks, adds a significant cost layer for textile exporters that rely on LPG for dyeing, finishing...
USPS to Launch 14 New Sorting and Delivery Centers Through July
The U.S. Postal Service will open 14 new sorting and delivery centers between May and July, spanning 12 states including Miami and Phoenix. The facilities will consolidate smaller delivery units into larger hubs equipped with advanced sortation equipment and electric‑vehicle...
IAI Completes “Primary Structural Work” On A330-300P2F
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has finished the primary structural work on its Airbus A330‑300 passenger‑to‑freighter (P2F) conversion prototype and moved the aircraft off the jacks. The program now enters ground‑ and flight‑testing, with the first A330‑200P2F flight slated for the...
Will Carriers Lose the Customer to Amazon?
Amazon is opening its logistics network to all businesses, offering a single platform that covers ocean, air, trucking, warehousing, inventory and forecasting. This end‑to‑end service threatens the traditional shipping model where carriers move cargo, forwarders manage complexity, and shippers own...
Konecranes Adopts ITI VR Crane Sim to Expand Customer Training Capacity and Reduce Equipment Downtime
Konecranes is scaling its customer training by integrating Industrial Training International’s VR Crane Simulator into its Training Institute. The blended VR and instructor‑led model lets the company train up to twice as many crane operators per session while keeping cranes...
France Restarts Scalp Naval Missile Production, Targeting 200 Deep‑Strike Units
France announced the restart of Scalp Naval (NCM) cruise missile production, with a revised order of 200 missiles to equip its submarines and frigates. The move seeks to replenish dwindling stockpiles and reinforce NATO’s long‑range strike posture as regional conflicts...
UK Bitumen Imports Increase in 1Q
UK bitumen imports rose 18% year‑on‑year to 225,000 t in Q1, despite a sharp spike in crude and bitumen prices after the US‑Iran war began on 28 February. Fixed‑price term contracts secured before the conflict helped offset higher input costs, keeping domestic...
Risk Reward Balance Skews Towards Dry Cargo, Says Norden
Norden reported a group net profit of $11.2 m for Q1, but its dry bulk unit posted a –$45 m EBIT loss, while the tanker segment earned $47.3 m EBIT. The loss was driven by sharply higher bunker costs and higher insurance expenses...
Enhanced Datalogic Safety Laser Scanners From AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has launched enhanced Datalogic safety laser scanners that employ time‑of‑flight measurement to protect machinery, robotic cells, and mobile automation. The new models cover up to 72 m² with a 275° scanning angle, delivering reliable detection in demanding environments. Master, standalone...
Hammond NEMA 1 Hinged Lay-In Wireways From AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has added Hammond's new CW series carbon‑steel lay‑in wireways, rated NEMA 1 and featuring hinged screw covers for quick access. The wireways are offered with optional knockouts and a full line of compatible fittings and accessories. Designed for industrial control...
Saudi Aramco Trims Arab Light Premium by $4 to $15.50 for June
Saudi Aramco reduced the official selling price of Arab Light crude for Asian buyers by $4 a barrel, bringing the June premium to $15.50 over regional benchmarks. The move follows a record‑high premium in May and reflects ongoing war‑driven supply...
The Past, Present, and Future of Cardinal Health 3PL Services and Packaging Solutions
Cardinal Health’s 3PL Services and Packaging Solutions division is tackling biopharma supply‑chain challenges by expanding cold‑chain capacity, launching sustainable shipping options, and integrating packaging to move products from FDA approval to patients within seven days. The unit has added temperature‑controlled...
FedEx Wins War Waiver for Dubai Cargo Route
The U.S. Department of Transportation granted FedEx a temporary waiver allowing it to skip the mandatory Dubai stop on its Hong Kong‑Paris route amid ongoing hostilities in the Persian Gulf. The exemption lifts the 90‑day dormancy rule through Oct. 25, preventing...
Huayan Robotics to Debut in Broader America at FABTECH Mexico 2026 After HKEX Listing
Huayan Robotics, freshly listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, will make its first broader American appearance at FABTECH Mexico 2026 from May 12‑14. The company will showcase its E12‑Pro ultra‑long‑reach welding cobot, the S50 heavy‑payload palletizing robot, high‑speed CNC loading/unloading solutions,...
China Makes AI‑Powered Robots Central to 15th Five‑Year Plan
China has embedded AI‑powered robots in its 15th Five‑Year Plan, aiming to boost industrial automation with an estimated 2 million operational units and capture 54% of worldwide robot installations. The move signals a shift toward high‑end intelligent robotics and reshapes global...
Supply Chain AI Enters the Execution Era
Supply‑chain AI is moving out of the proof‑of‑concept stage and into the execution era, where measurable gains in decision speed, service levels, inventory costs, and resilience are the new benchmarks. Early deployments proved that AI can forecast, detect disruptions, and...
Nuclear Power Is Becoming Part of the AI Infrastructure Supply Chain
AI-driven data centers are turning electricity into a strategic bottleneck, with projects like Meta's El Paso campus targeting roughly 1 GW of continuous power by 2028. This demand has revived interest in nuclear energy, especially advanced small modular and micro‑reactor designs that...
Some in Oil, Natural Gas Sector Expected Quick Hormuz Reopening Before ‘Project Freedom’
A Dallas Federal Reserve survey found that 20% of oil and natural‑gas executives expect the Strait of Hormuz to resume normal traffic by May 2026, while 39% see reopening only by August 2026. The timeline follows President Trump’s announcement of...
P&G Flags $150M Hit From Iran War Supply Disruptions
Procter & Gamble said it will absorb an after‑tax $150 million hit in the fiscal year ending June 30, driven by higher oil‑related costs and shipping disruptions tied to the Iran war. CFO Andre Schulten warned that if Brent crude steadies near...
Chinese Chamber of Commerce Puts a $432bn Price Tag on the EU’s Cybersecurity Overhaul
The China Chamber of Commerce in the EU commissioned KPMG to estimate the cost of the European Commission’s revised Cybersecurity Act, which would force the removal of Chinese suppliers from 18 critical sectors. The study puts the price tag at...
A Buoyed Appetite for Risk in World Financial Markets
President Trump halted the military escort of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress toward an Iran peace deal that would dismantle Tehran's enriched uranium program in exchange for phased U.S. sanctions relief. The diplomatic thaw sparked a broad...
USAF Seeks $3.36B for VIP Jet Replacements: Security or Pork?
While budgets are tight, USAF asks for $3.36B to swap out old VIP jets ($2.19B for 17 new C-37Cs). These planes carry SecDef & top brass worldwide. Essential security spend… or military pork?
China Expands Global Logistics to Control Supply Chains
Chinese firms and logistics in other countries. More if China trying to control global trade supply chains and logistics?
Nvidia Taps Robotics Ecosystem to Scale Physical AI
Nvidia is expanding its physical AI push by rallying a global robotics ecosystem to bring AI‑driven perception and action to real‑world settings such as factories, hospitals and construction sites. The company leverages its Isaac open‑source robotics platform and Omniverse simulation...
US‑Iran MOU: Temporary Pause, Not True Stability
This US-Iran MOU isn’t peace—it’s a timeout. 30-day talks, partial Hormuz reopening, enrichment caps. But with no trust, damaged flows, and fragile enforcement, one breach resets everything. Not stability. Just a pause inside the escalation trap. #oil #Hormuz #geopolitics #energy
G7 Outlines Action Plan to Modernize Supply Chains
Wow. G-7 and improving supply chains. The details on what to do and how. From transportation to technology. To infinity and beyond.
Baleària Dual-Fuel Fast Ferry Newbuild Aces Sea Trials
Baleària’s new 123‑metre dual‑fuel Ro‑Pax fast ferry Mercedes Pinto completed sea trials, hitting a top speed of 38 knots. Built by Astilleros Armon in Gijón and designed by Incat Crowther, the vessel can transport up to 1,200 passengers and 425 vehicles. Powered by...
Amazon Flex Drivers Stole $58K in One Month.
I wonder how often this happens over at Amazon with these Flex drivers This other incident happened in April: “A couple pled guilty to stealing almost $58,000 worth of packages in less than a month while the pair worked as delivery...
China Launches Multi‑motion Machine to Drive Automation
China Unveils Innovative Multi-Motion Industrial Machine Powering the Next Wave of #Automation by @Hoxygo #Innovation #EmergingTech #Technology https://t.co/4UIqrA1X97
This Trump FCC Cybersecurity ‘Fix’ Is About To Make Hardware Way More Expensive For Everyone
The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, announced a ban on any testing labs that maintain offices in China from certifying electronic devices for the U.S. market. Roughly 75% of U.S.-bound smartphones, cameras and computers are currently tested in Chinese...
Pause Without Peace: Trump Halts ‘Project Freedom’ While the Strait Stays Locked.
President Donald Trump announced a pause to the administration’s “Project Freedom,” a covert initiative aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz after Iranian forces seized several tankers. The decision comes as the strategic waterway remains blocked, disrupting a key conduit...
SoCal Port Surge
SoCal port demand is driving recent Tesla Semi orders WattEV made a big bet a couple years ago on Nikola that didn’t pan out but now they’re taking a ride with Tesla https://t.co/8RrbvAGlIE
Expeditors’ Air Volumes Rise in Q1 as It Eyes Unpredictable Market
Expeditors International reported a strong Q1, with air‑services revenue up 14.3% YoY to about $1 billion and gross profit rising 3.2% to $261.4 million. Air freight tonnage grew 5% year‑over‑year, driven by robust demand from technology customers and a less constrained capacity...
DNV’s Insight: 38 New Orders for Alternative-Fueled Vessels in April
DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight reported 38 new orders for alternative‑fueled vessels in April 2026, bringing the year‑to‑date total to 83. LNG remained dominant with 20 orders spanning car carriers, container ships, crude tankers and cruise vessels, while LPG/ethane carriers secured...
Chokepoints Review: Is Economic Warfare Here to Stay?
Edward Fishman's new paperback *Chokepoints* argues that control over the US dollar, advanced microchip technology and critical energy supply chains has become the primary weapon of 21st‑century geopolitics. Drawing on his tenure in the State Department’s sanctions teams, Fishman shows...
Geoforce Launches GT1c with AT&T Business, Transforming Industrial Markers with Affordable Rugged Cellular Asset Tracking
Geoforce unveiled the GT1c, a rugged cellular asset‑tracking device built on AT&T Business’s IoT‑optimized network. The tracker delivers up to a 10‑year battery life, intrinsic safety certification and a low total‑cost‑of‑ownership design for non‑powered equipment. A pilot with Black Diamond...
Kongsberg to Supply Propulsion Systems for US Coast Guard Cutter Fleet
Kongsberg Maritime secured a contract with Austal USA to provide its Promas propulsion system for the next four vessels of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter Heritage Class. The delivery includes steering gear, rudders, fin stabilizers and tunnel thrusters,...