De-Risking the Rare Earths Supply Chain With Sprott's REXC
The Sprott Rare Earths Ex‑China ETF (REXC) launched on April 15, offering investors a focused way to capture rare‑earth demand while sidestepping Chinese exposure. The fund tracks the Nasdaq Sprott Rare Earths Ex‑China Index and holds 34 companies across Australia, Canada and the United States, spanning mining, processing and recycling. By excluding China, REXC mitigates geopolitical and regulatory risk and aligns with G7 subsidies and the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, which favor non‑Chinese sourcing for EV tax credits. Its diversified, pure‑play exposure positions it to benefit from the accelerating clean‑energy transition.
Mark Cuban Wants to Bring Drug Manufacturing to Hospitals’ Doorsteps — Literally
Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs is rolling out modular drug‑manufacturing pods that fit into tractor‑trailers, allowing hospitals to produce injectables and specialty medicines on‑site. The Dallas‑based facility already makes epinephrine, norepinephrine, Pitocin and pediatric cancer drugs, and claims rare‑disease therapies...
Transit Briefs: ATP, CTDOT
The Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) has awarded Kiewit Austin Partnership the design‑build contract for the Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) that will support Austin’s $7 billion Project Connect light‑rail system. The OMF will house vehicle storage, servicing and dispatch, creating thousands...
Questions Surround Hormuz Reopening After Lebanon Ceasefire
A ten‑day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect Thursday night, and within days Iran announced it would reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran linked the decision to the ceasefire, portraying the lull as a sign of broader regional stability....
India Can Handle the Energy Shock if Iran Ceasefire Holds, Top Government Adviser Says
India’s chief economic adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran said the country can absorb the current energy‑price shock from the Iran war if the cease‑fire holds and extends. He expects oil supply and prices to normalise by the end of Q3 2026, allowing India...
How the Savannah Bananas Built a Traveling Retail Supply Chain
Warehouse director Tucker Robinson oversees a 100,000‑sq‑ft hub that supplies the Savannah Bananas’ e‑commerce store, home stadium shop, and a traveling “World Tour” that delivers up to four semi‑trucks of merchandise to venues nationwide. The team keeps inventory synchronized across...
The Strait of Hormuz to Reopen, Says Iran
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi announced that the Strait of Hormuz – the narrow maritime corridor linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman – is officially reopened for the remainder of the cease‑fire between Israel and Lebanon. The...
Iran Hardliners Attack Araghchi's Hormuz Tweet as 'Incomplete and Misleading'
Hardline Iranian voices slammed Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s April 17 tweet announcing the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz during the Lebanon cease‑fire as incomplete and misleading. The brief message omitted key conditions, including IRGC supervision of ship movements and...
Ships Sailing Through Hormuz Need Prior Coordination with the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary GuardCorps
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that all commercial vessels must obtain prior coordination before transiting the Strait of Hormuz, though the waterway remains technically open. The coordination includes approval from the IRGC and Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization, with...
Spot Market Gains Signal Tightening Truckload Capacity, Notes DAT Truckload Volume Index
DAT Freight & Analytics reported a sharp rise in March spot truckload volumes and rates, with the Van TVI hitting 253, a 12% month‑over‑month gain, and flatbed TVI soaring 18% to 314. Spot rates climbed to $2.52 per mile for...
India’s Wheat Procurement Plummets 40% Due to Delayed Start in Madhya Pradesh
India’s wheat procurement for the 2026‑27 Rabi season is down 40% year‑on‑year, with total purchases at 5.134 million tonnes versus 8.357 million tonnes last year. Quality‑norm relaxations in Punjab and Haryana have already boosted purchases in those states, while Madhya Pradesh’s procurement...
USPS Imposes Strict May 1 Deadline on Non-Domiciled CDL Drivers for Mail Transport
The U.S. Postal Service announced that, effective May 1, any non‑domiciled CDL driver must be screened and badged by the Postal Inspection Service before hauling mail. Suppliers are responsible for submitting the required forms and must complete the clearance within two...
Rio Tinto Partners With AI Singapore to Strengthen Supply Chain
Rio Tinto has entered a two‑year Memorandum of Understanding with AI Singapore to co‑develop artificial‑intelligence tools for its global supply chain. The collaboration builds on an AI‑driven freight‑invoice processing pilot that handles more than 10,000 invoices each year. By leveraging...
Pushing the Limits
E‑commerce growth is spurring demand for flexible conveyor sortation systems. The global market is projected to grow 4.5% CAGR through 2035, reaching $7.5 billion. Regal Rexnord’s ModSort module offers all‑electric, omnidirectional diverting for packages up to 30×30 in and 50 lb at 35‑50 ppm,...
Transparency Data: Ministry of Defence Payment Spot Checks
The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has published its Payment Spot Checks data for the first quarter of 2026, showing a nil return – no payment discrepancies were identified. The release complies with Procurement Policy Note 021, which mandates regular spot...
Europe Moves From Rhetoric to Planning as Paris Summit Weighs Hormuz Security Mission
European leaders gathered in Paris, chaired by Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer, to move from rhetoric to concrete planning for a multinational mission securing commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Around 40 countries, including Germany and Italy, discussed a...
Brussels Under Pressure as Europe Risks Running Out of Jet Fuel
The European Union will unveil a draft plan on April 22 to address a looming jet‑fuel shortage triggered by the stalled reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal could introduce bloc‑wide monitoring of airport fuel inventories and a temporary suspension...
Corpus Christi Water Crisis Threatens Long-Term Jet Fuel Supply
Severe water scarcity in Corpus Christi is endangering the South Texas refining hub that produces the bulk of jet fuel for major airports such as Austin‑Bergstrom and Dallas/Fort Worth. Reservoir levels have fallen to historic lows, prompting the city to...
Jet Prices Dip Slightly on Hopes Hormuz Traffic Will Resume Soon
Jet fuel prices slipped modestly as optimism grew that a U.S.-Iran cease‑fire could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. European jet‑fuel benchmarks have fallen about 16% from their recent peak but remain roughly 90% above pre‑war levels....
Exclusive: David Protein Scales Alt-Fat EPG Capacity, Eyes CPG Deals as CEO Targets $300m Revenues in 2026
David Protein, founded by RXBAR creator Peter Rahal, has quintupled production of its low‑calorie fat replacer EPG after acquiring Epogee. The company aims to generate more than $300 million in revenue by 2026 and is courting major CPG partners while expanding...
EU to ‘Play Its Part’ to Restore Energy and Trade Flows From Middle East
The European Union announced it is prepared to send additional warships to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz once a ceasefire is secured. EU leaders discussed expanding the Aspides naval mission, which currently operates in the Red Sea, Gulf...
Rawcology Scales with AMI Partnership, Niagara Retail Debut
Toronto‑based functional snack brand Rawcology announced a joint venture with AM Ingredients (AMI) that gives it access to a 19,000‑square‑foot manufacturing plant and a 50,000‑square‑foot cross‑docking hub in Niagara‑on‑the‑Lake. The new infrastructure will enable coast‑to‑coast distribution, support a second Costco...
Warburtons Invests £100M and Acquires New Site
Warburtons is spending more than £100 million (about $125 million) to mark its 150th anniversary, acquiring the former Rathbones bakery in Wakefield and upgrading its gluten‑free plant, a new distribution centre, and three production lines. The purchase expands the company’s footprint to...
Virtus Minerals Signs First Major Deal Under US-DRC Critical Minerals Partnership
Virtus Minerals, a U.S. firm with just eight staff, has completed its first major transaction under the U.S.–DRC critical‑minerals pact by acquiring Chemaf and its copper‑cobalt assets in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The purchase includes the Mutoshi mine, which...
Salesupply and BrandOn Group Announce Partnership
Dutch ecommerce provider Salesupply has teamed up with Italy’s BrandOn Group to create a unified cross‑border solution for Italian brands. Salesupply, which supports more than 500 online retailers with fulfillment and customer‑service capabilities, will supply its logistics network across Europe....
Cebu Pacific, Jettainer Extend Long-Term Partnership
Philippines’ leading carrier Cebu Pacific has renewed and expanded its long‑term partnership with ULD specialist Jettainer. The early renewal extends comprehensive unit‑load‑device management and adds Jettainer’s new IoT tracking solution that uses LoRa, BLE and cellular mesh technology. The agreement...
J.B. Hunt CEO Touts First-Quarter Performance
J.B. Hunt Transport Services reported a strong first‑quarter, posting net earnings of $141.6 million ($1.49 EPS), up roughly 20% year‑over‑year, and total operating revenue of $3.06 billion, a 5% increase. CEO Shelley Simpson highlighted a tighter truckload market driven by stricter safety...
Spiking FedEx, UPS Fuel Fees Are Grabbing Shippers’ Attention
FedEx and UPS have driven a record‑high quarter for ground delivery costs as fuel surcharges surged. The TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index shows Q1 per‑package rates were 39.3% above the January 2018 baseline and are projected to reach 42% in Q2. Fuel surcharges...
Canada Post Takes Steps to Stop Home Mail Delivery
Canada Post announced the first phase of a five‑year plan to replace home delivery for roughly 4 million Canadian addresses with community mailboxes. The pilot involves 13 municipalities and will convert about 136,000 doors, a process that can take six to...
Logistics Layoffs Top 800 as Contracts Unwind Across Trucking, Warehousing
Over the past three weeks, U.S. logistics firms announced 829 layoffs as contract freight dries up. Warehouse operators Saddle Creek and Ryder cut 321 jobs after customers pulled services in‑house or failed to renew agreements. Trucking carriers, including Day &...
MODEX 2026: Kardex Launches PortScale for Enhanced AutoStore Inventory Accuracy
At MODEX 2026, Kardex unveiled PortScale, a weight‑sensor add‑on for AutoStore ports that provides real‑time verification of picking and putaway operations. The solution integrates with Kardex’s Intuitive Picking Assistant, barcode scanning and computer‑vision tools to instantly detect errors, support cycle...
Iran and US Say the Strait of Hormuz Is Completely Open
Iran announced that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open for commercial traffic, directing vessels to a new coordinated route around Larak Island. The United States, while acknowledging the declaration, kept a naval blockade in place against Iranian ports and...
10 Tips for Smarter MRO Stocking Before Parts Disrupt Workflow
Rising oil prices, geopolitical tensions and material shortages are stretching MRO lead times to weeks or months, forcing a shift from reactive to proactive stocking. The article outlines ten practical steps, from prioritizing critical spares to integrating digital inventory tools,...
Busy Start to the Year for Liege Airport’s Cargo Business
Liege Airport reported a solid start to 2026, with cargo volumes climbing 15.6% year‑on‑year to 342,845 tonnes and aircraft movements rising 7% to 7,247 flights in the first quarter. Export freight surged 20% YoY, propelled by e‑commerce, perishables and international...
Why Diesel Prices Surge Faster Than Gasoline in Every Energy Crisis
Diesel prices rise faster than gasoline during energy crises because the diesel market is structurally tighter, with lower inventories and limited refinery flexibility. Since the Iran conflict began, diesel has climbed $1.75 per gallon versus $1.11 for gasoline. The fuel’s...
Russia’s Main Black Sea Port Resumes Loading Crude at Key Berth
Russia’s largest Black Sea port, Novorossiysk, resumed crude loading at berth 1 of the Sheskharis oil terminal on April 17, 2026. The Samos crude tanker, a Suezmax‑class vessel, moored at the berth and began loading later that afternoon. The berth is specifically designed...
Iran Opens Strait of Hormuz, but Few Box Ship Transits Predicted
Iran’s foreign minister announced that the Strait of Hormuz is "completely open" following a 10‑day Israel‑Lebanon cease‑fire, but industry insiders remain doubtful about actual container traffic. The United States continues its naval blockade and has warned it will pursue Iranian...
Op-Ed: Why Data Is Becoming Shipping’s Most Valuable Asset
Shipping’s traditional cyclical model is giving way to structural uncertainty, forcing owners to prioritize data‑driven decision making. A survey of 225 maritime leaders shows over two‑thirds struggle with unpredictability, 42% wrestle with investment‑return balances, and 32% demand AI and automation....
Empty LNG Tankers Attempt Hormuz Crossing Into Persian Gulf
Two liquefied natural gas tankers, Al Hamra and Mraweh, owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., were spotted heading toward the eastern side of the Strait of Hormuz. Their movement marks the first attempt by LNG vessels to enter the...
Strait of Hormuz Reopening for Commercial Traffic, Trump and Iran Say
Iran announced the Strait of Hormuz is fully open for commercial vessels, aligning the move with a 10‑day cease‑fire between Israel and Lebanon brokered by President Trump. The reopening follows a week‑long U.S. blockade that aimed to pressure Iran over...
Home Depot Eyes Same-Day, Next-Day Delivery Site in New York
Home Depot has filed an application to build a 414,000‑square‑foot distribution center in Yaphank, New York, designed for same‑day and next‑day delivery of bulky building materials. The project would cost about $157 million to construct, with an additional $11 million for site improvements,...
Maharashtra Partners With NLDSL to Digitise State Logistics Through ULIP Platform
The Government of Maharashtra signed an MoU with NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd (NLDSL) to deploy the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) across state agencies. ULIP already integrates 45 government systems through 137 APIs, powering more than 240 applications and...
Iran War Energy Shock Threatens Southeast Asia’s Supply Chains. A Win for China?
The US‑Israeli conflict in Iran is sparking an energy shock that is reshaping Asian supply chains. Western buyers, wary of Southeast Asia’s mounting energy‑supply risk, are returning to Chinese manufacturers, a trend evident at the Canton Fair where European and...
ITS Logistics Releases April Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index
ITS Logistics released its April Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index, warning that all U.S. port and rail regions face heightened cost pressure. The index cites the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis, four years of trucking capacity exits, and elevated diesel prices...
China Was Once Buying Up Sri Lankan Ports. Now It’s India’s Turn.
India’s state‑run Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited has bought a 51 percent stake in Sri Lanka’s Colombo Dockyard for $26.8 million, marking the first overseas shipyard acquisition by an Indian firm. The 52‑year‑old yard, capable of handling vessels up to 125,000 deadweight tons,...
Insurance Costs Jump up to 17 Times Amid Middle East Conflict - MOF
Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance warned that the Middle East conflict has driven insurance premiums up to 17‑fold and shipping costs to triple, compounding the recent surge in petroleum prices. The heightened risk has forced vessels onto longer routes, inflating fuel...
US to Delay Weapons Deliveries to some European Countries Due to Iran War, Sources Say
U.S. officials have warned several European NATO members, chiefly in the Baltic region and Scandinavia, that deliveries of weapons purchased through the Foreign Military Sales program will be delayed as the ongoing Iran war drains U.S. stockpiles. The postponements affect...
FTSE 100 Jumps as Strait of Hormuz Fully Open Following Ceasefire
Iran announced the Strait of Hormuz is fully open for commercial vessels amid a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. The news lifted risk sentiment, sending the FTSE 100 up 0.5% to 10,645 points, while travel stocks such as EasyJet and...
Iran Foreign Minister Makes Major Energy Announcement
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi announced that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open to all commercial vessels for the remaining days of the 10‑day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. The declaration triggered an 11.2% drop in Brent crude, pulling...
Canada Post Mobilizes to End Home Delivery, Close Post Offices
Canada Post has launched a five‑year plan to replace door‑to‑door delivery for four million households with community mailboxes, aiming to cut costs and modernize its aging model. The initiative follows a tentative labor agreement with the Canadian Union of Postal...