VIDEO: Advanced New D.E.E.P. Propeller Blade Enters Production Phase
UK consortium led by Enki Marine has 3D‑printed an 815‑mm, 45‑kg section of a next‑generation nickel‑aluminum‑bronze propeller blade using wire‑arc additive manufacturing (WAAM). The milestone marks the first production‑phase component of the Digitally Enabled Efficient Propeller (D.E.E.P.) project, funded by Innovate UK. WAAM promises up to a two‑thirds reduction in lead time versus traditional casting and enables lighter, data‑rich blade designs. The group now targets a full‑size sea trial and is scaling WAAM capabilities internationally, including a new hub in Houston.
Russia Oil Export Revenues Hit Highest Since Early Ukraine War as Prices Surge, Despite Ukrainian Port Attacks
Russian crude export revenues surged to about $2.02 billion per week, the highest level since June 2022, as global oil prices hit multi‑year highs. The rise was driven by a sharp increase in Urals prices above $116 a barrel and a narrowing...
Why Fuel and Food Prices Could Still Be Affected for Months
A tentative two‑week ceasefire in Iran has eased geopolitical tension, causing crude oil prices to tumble, yet they remain above pre‑war levels. Analysts warn that damaged Gulf production facilities and blocked shipments through the Strait of Hormuz will keep fuel...
How Viral TikTok Growth Is Leaving DTC Brands Vulnerable to Costly Logistics Breakdowns
TikTok Shop is turning viral videos into instant sales spikes for direct‑to‑consumer brands, but many lack the logistics framework to handle the sudden surge of international orders. Products classified as restricted, such as alcohol‑based perfumes, can cost $200‑$300 per unit...
Amazon Freight Increases Dry Van Trailer Count to 80k
Amazon Freight announced its dry‑van trailer fleet has reached 80,000 units, a rise of 10,000 since June 2025. The expansion gives shippers more flexibility during peak seasons and faster response for urgent loads. Equipped with real‑time tracking, the new trailers...
USPS to Shift some Volume as It Installs New Sortation Equipment
The U.S. Postal Service is installing new package sortation equipment at several processing facilities this month, temporarily rerouting volume to alternate sites during the transition. The upgrades raise daily processing capacity to about 88 million packages, up from 60 million, and add...
Online Supermarket Tests Autonomous Delivery Vehicles in Belgium
Collect&Go, the online arm of Belgium's Colruyt Group, will trial driverless Clevon 1 delivery robots in Leuven’s city centre from mid‑May to August. The electric vehicle, acquired by US‑based indiGOtech in 2025, can transport two grocery orders at a time and...
Iran Steel Supply Unlikely to Benefit From Ceasefire
Despite a newly announced two‑week US‑Iran ceasefire, Iran’s steel production is unlikely to rebound quickly. Air strikes in late March severely damaged Mobarakeh Steel and Khuzestan Steel, forcing both plants—combined capacity about 14 million tonnes per year—to halt output for months....
Steel Tariffs Risk Supply Shortages, SAISC Warns
The Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC) warns that newly imposed anti‑dumping tariffs on selected steel imports are already prompting merchants to cancel or delay orders. While the tariffs aim to protect domestic producers, SAISC says the sudden rise...
Spain High-Speed Crash: Possible Rail Break Detected 22 Hours Before Accident, but No Alert Triggered
Spain’s high‑speed network suffered its deadliest crash in a decade when an Iryo train derailed near Adamuz, killing 46. A Civil Guard report reveals that Adif’s signalling system detected an electrical disturbance consistent with a rail break 21 hours and 57 minutes...
Broker’s Call: Jindal Stainless (Buy)
SBI Securities has upgraded Jindal Stainless to a Buy, setting a target price of ₹859 (≈$10.35) versus the current ₹753.30 (≈$9.07). The firm has commissioned a 1.2 mt stainless‑steel melt shop in Indonesia ahead of schedule, lifting total melting capacity to...
U.S. Rail Carload Volumes Rise in Q1 as Carloads Rise and Intermodal Holds Near Record Levels, Reports AAR
U.S. rail carloads rose 4.2% to 2.68 million in the first quarter, marking the highest weekly average since 2019. Grain shipments jumped 17.8%, while coal and chemicals posted modest gains. Excluding coal, carloads hit 1.98 million, the strongest level since 2015. Intermodal...
General Court Confirms Reliance on Foreign Export Prices for Customs Valuation
On 25 March 2026 the EU General Court upheld that customs authorities may rely on export‑price data from a third country when applying the residual valuation method under Article 74(3) of the Union Customs Code. The ruling stemmed from a post‑clearance audit of...
US–Iran Ceasefire: What It Means for Trump, Tehran, Israel and US Allies. Early Analysis From Chatham House Experts
On April 7, the United States, Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, halting attacks and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The truce is hailed as a short‑term victory but leaves unresolved issues such as Iran’s nuclear...
Centre Maintains Multi-Ministry Response to Support Exporters Amid Hormuz Disruptions
India’s Department of Commerce and DGFT have launched a coordinated multi‑ministry response to export disruptions caused by tensions in the Hormuz Strait. Measures include the CBIC’s “Back to Town” procedure, waivers on storage and reefer charges at JNPT, and extended...
The Human Advantage in an AI-Driven World: Why Critical Thinking Is the Ultimate Retail Logistics Asset
Retail logistics is rapidly integrating AI for demand forecasting, inventory management, and fulfillment, but the technology cannot replace human judgment. The article warns against the shortcut of trusting algorithmic outputs without critical evaluation, especially during demand spikes or disruptions. It...
Airline and Travel Industries See No Immediate Relief From Iran Ceasefire
A two‑week US‑Iran ceasefire is unlikely to quickly ease the airline industry's fuel crisis, as jet‑fuel supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz will persist for months. Delta Air Lines expects an extra $2 billion in fuel costs for Q2 and...
How Titan Freight Systems Cut Distracted Driving and Boosted LTL Efficiency
Titan Freight Systems, a Pacific Northwest LTL carrier, has leveraged a three‑model Freightliner fleet, AI‑based driver‑assistance, renewable diesel and a purpose‑built transportation‑management system to hit a 98% True On‑Time Delivery rate. The AI safety suite slashed distracted‑driving incidents by 96%...
Roeth: How Fleet Data Helps Shrink Diesel Costs and Improve Efficiency Amid High Fuel Prices
Fleet operators are turning to connected data to combat diesel prices that have risen above $5 per gallon. Geotab’s latest Sustainability and Impact Report shows fleets cutting idle time by up to 30%, saving 270‑400 gallons of diesel each year....
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Emerson has launched the Fisher IC2 Cryogenic Top‑Entry Control Valve, targeting cold‑box applications in air‑separation, hydrogen liquefaction and LNG production. The valve operates down to –452 °F (–269 °C) and limits leakage to 100 ppm, meeting EPA standards. Its narrow extension, fluid baffle, ENVIRO‑SEAL™...
US Ceasefire May Boost LPG, LNG Supplies to India in Short Term
The United States announced a two‑week ceasefire with Iran, easing the immediate bottleneck in the Strait of Hormuz that has stranded dozens of LPG and LNG carriers. Analysts expect India’s LPG and LNG imports to restart within weeks, while crude...
NMFTA Acts to Slow $6.6 Billion-a-Year Fraud Industry in Trucking
The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) has launched the Freight Fraud Prevention Hub, a centralized resource aimed at curbing an estimated $6.6 billion annual loss from freight fraud in the United States. The hub provides educational content, best‑practice guides, webinars,...
Nexperia China Shifts to Local Wafer Supply, Targets Full Localization by 2026
Nexperia’s China unit is transitioning to fully domestic wafer sourcing, ending reliance on its Dutch operations. The move follows European wafer export restrictions introduced in October and aims for complete localization by the second half of 2026. Production currently runs...
CII Proposes 20-Point Agenda to Support Indian Firms Amid Iran War Disruptions
India's Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has presented a 20‑point policy agenda to the government and the Reserve Bank of India to mitigate the fallout from the Iran‑West Asia war. The plan calls for coordinated fiscal, financial and trade actions,...
Gov't Steps in to Stabilize Plastic Bag Supply Amid Shortages, Price Concerns
Taiwan's Economic Affairs Ministry announced a coordinated response to localized plastic‑bag shortages and price spikes, linking retailers, distributors, and local governments. The ministry increased domestic polyethylene output to outpace demand and signaled readiness to expand supply if oil‑price relief continues....
British Army Receives Two Jupiter HC Mk2 Helicopters in Brunei
The British Army has taken delivery of two Airbus H145 Jupiter HC Mk2 helicopters in Brunei, completing a fast‑track £148 million ($196 million) Ministry of Defence programme to modernise the UK’s rotary fleet. The Mk2 model features a five‑blade rotor that adds...
Delta Showcases Integrated Automation and Smart Charging Solutions for Intralogistics Applications at MODEX 2026
Delta showcased its integrated automation and smart charging solutions at MODEX 2026, unveiling the Delta Automation Technology Platforms that combine machine vision, motion control, drive, networking, and power infrastructure into a single architecture. Live demonstrations featured the D‑BOT DC08 collaborative robot working...
Oil Tumbles Below $100 After Trump Announces Two-Week Ceasefire
Oil fell below $100 a barrel after President Donald Trump announced a two‑week ceasefire with Iran, promising a safe reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Brent settled at $91.80 and WTI at $92.62, while European diesel dropped 20.8 percent to $1,210.50...
Shipping Far From Normalcy After Hormuz Truce
The conditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after President Donald Trump’s cease‑fire announcement has eased market panic, but shipping remains far from normal. Roughly 800 vessels with more than 20,000 crew members are still stranded in the Persian Gulf....
Faisal Islam: Iran War Pause Is Welcome but the Economic Scars Will Last
The cease‑fire in the Iran‑Israel conflict has eased the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a 15% drop in oil and gas prices and a rally in equity markets. Over the past six weeks, roughly 800 vessels were stranded,...
TKMS Joins Hands with E3 Lithium to Work on Canadian Navy’s Submarine Program
German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has entered a teaming agreement with Canadian lithium producer E3 Lithium to embed Canadian critical minerals into the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP). The deal will explore using lithium from E3’s Clearwater Project, which...
Okuma Fishing Tackle Opens Canadian Fulfillment Center
Okuma Fishing Tackle has opened a new third‑party logistics fulfillment center in Canada to serve its wholesale partners. The facility is designed to accelerate delivery times, increase inventory availability, and lower overall fulfillment costs. Sam Brenner, Okuma’s VP of sales,...
The US Tariff Shock in 2025 vs 2026 – Same Negative Impact, Different Drivers
New US tariffs implemented in 2025 raised the effective rate by 8.1 percentage points, leading to an estimated 4.2% drop in EU‑US exports after accounting for front‑running effects. While Irish pharmaceutical shipments temporarily boosted trade, the overall impact was a modest...
Kremlin Plotting Ban on Major Box Carriers Entering Russian Ports
The Kremlin is drafting a decree that would bar foreign‑owned container lines from calling at Russian ports unless they are majority Russian‑owned and prioritize sanctioned cargo. The draft specifically names CMA CGM, Maersk, OOCL and X‑Press Feeders as prohibited carriers. The...
As War Premiums Hit Groceries, China Deals Give Africa Room to Breathe
The recent disruption of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed Brent crude above $100 per barrel, inflating diesel, fertilizer and food costs in vulnerable African economies. At the same time, China announced zero‑tariff access for imports from 53 African countries,...
How the E-Bike Industry Just Pushed Back Against and Won on (some) Tariffs
The White House announced that bicycles, e‑bikes and frames will be exempt from the proposed Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs, and it also removed existing metal‑content duties on e‑bikes. The victory came after PeopleForBikes coordinated a campaign that generated more...
SCA Secures First 50Hertz Contract for Cable Carousel Systems
Subsea Cable Assets (SCA) won its first framework contract with German transmission operator 50Hertz to supply four cable carousel systems for power‑grid projects. The deal covers engineering, manufacturing, delivery, installation and commissioning, targeting both offshore and onshore high‑voltage infrastructure in...
Iran Conflict: How Food Can Prepare for Fertiliser Shortages
The temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz sent fertilizer prices soaring 20‑45%, inflating costs for staple grains such as wheat, rice and maize. Experts warn that the chokepoint could shut again, exposing global food systems to recurring input shocks....
International Business Briefs | Stellantis Eyes Opel EV with China’s Leapmotor
Stellantis is in advanced talks with China’s Leapmotor to co‑develop an Opel‑branded electric SUV that would be built at the Zaragoza plant in Spain, a move aimed at cutting EV development costs after a $25 bn writedown. Swiss watchmaker Swatch is...
GHOs Facing Mounting Pressure Amid Fuel Costs Rise
The Aviation Services Association warns that soaring global fuel prices are squeezing ground handling organisations (GHOs) as airlines pass passenger surcharges onto travelers while demanding cost cuts from suppliers. GHOs face the same fuel‑driven expense rise as airlines but are...
Traffic Through the Strait of Hormuz Has Been Resumed
The Strait of Hormuz reopened after a cease‑fire between Iran and the United States, with two vessels—Greek‑owned bulk carrier NJ Earth and Liberia‑flagged Daytona Beach—transiting on April 8. MarineTraffic confirmed the movements at 06:59 and 08:44 UTC, marking the first...
Non-Operating Shipowners Regain Their Taste for Modern Box Ship Tonnage
Non‑operating shipowners (NOOs) have surged back into the new‑building market, expanding their combined orderbook to 1.8 m TEU—three times the level a year ago. Their owned fleet remains 2.3 m TEU smaller than in late 2020 after a wave of sales to carriers,...
Iran’s Hormuz Toll Demand: UNCLOS Violation or Legitimate Right? 10-Point Plan Tests Global Trade Rules
Iran has presented a ten‑point peace proposal that hinges on a two‑week cease‑fire, demanding U.S. acceptance of its control over the Strait of Hormuz and the right to collect transit tolls. The plan also seeks full sanctions relief, nuclear enrichment...
EPA Increases Ethanol Content Of Gasoline
The EPA has issued a 20‑day emergency waiver allowing nationwide sales of E15, a gasoline blend with 15% ethanol, to counter soaring fuel prices that have topped $4 per gallon and $8 in California. Ethanol, primarily derived from corn, is...
HB Exclusive: Folio CEO on AAHOA Marketplace Partnership
Folio has been named the official technology platform for the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) Marketplace, integrating procurement with financial‑operations tools. Developed with Avendra International, the upgraded platform will roll out later this year and adds AI‑driven invoice processing,...
3PL Turns a Pain Point Into a Selling Point
RJ Logistics, a woman‑owned 3PL in Michigan, struggled with cross‑border shipment visibility in Mexico, relying on manual check calls that slowed response times and taxed staff. The company implemented Rectangle’s universal API, automatically feeding GPS data into its McLeod TMS...
Tesla Built 50,000 Cars Nobody Bought Last Quarter, and the EV Market Is Running Out of Excuses
Tesla produced 408,386 vehicles in Q1 2026 but delivered only 358,023, creating a record‑high inventory surplus of over 50,000 cars. While quarterly sales rose 6% year‑over‑year, the growth fell short of analyst expectations as the U.S. EV market stalls. The recent...
NYC Launches Curb Management Office to Rein in Delivery, Parking Chaos
New York City has created an Office of Curb Management to oversee its 6,300 miles of curbside lanes, which are currently overloaded with delivery trucks, ride‑hailing cars, garbage collection, bike traffic and outdoor dining. The office will consolidate DOT functions,...
Taiwanese Chip Makers Call on Government to Stockpile Helium, Liquid Natural Gas — TSIA Pleads for Strategic Supplies as US...
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, led by the Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association (TSIA), is urging the government to create strategic stockpiles of helium and liquefied natural gas (LNG) after a U.S.-Iran cease‑fire highlighted supply chain fragility. The island currently has only about...
Rise in Container Ship Non-Operating Owner Orderbook
Orders from non‑operating owners (NOOs) for container ships between 700 and 9,000 TEU have tripled in the year to March 2026, reaching 116 vessels and 435,000 TEU. The surge, driven by Asian and Greek owners, also includes 90 larger ships (5,300‑9,000...