ASEAN States Boost Oil Imports From Brunei, Libya, and US
Southeast Asian nations are rapidly diversifying oil supplies away from the Persian Gulf after the US‑Iran conflict blocked the Strait of Hormuz. Thailand cut UAE crude imports by more than half in April, while Brunei, Libya and the United States filled the gap, with Brunei reaching its highest export level in five years. Vietnam’s imports collapsed by 58% as it turned to new sources such as the US, Angola and Argentina. Singapore now sources over 60% of its crude from the United States, underscoring a regional pivot.
A New Central Asia–Pakistan Trade Corridor Takes Shape
The Quadrilateral Traffic in Transit Agreement (QTTA) linking Pakistan, China, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan has moved from paper to practice with the first Kyrgyz‑operated truck entering Pakistan’s Sost dry port. Since 2024, outbound shipments from Karachi to Central Asia used multimodal...
Queensland Hosts Australian Manufacturing Week for the First Time
Queensland will host Australian Manufacturing Week for the first time, drawing more than 7,000 participants from domestic and international firms. The week‑long showcase highlights the state’s advanced capabilities across sectors such as aerospace, mining equipment, food and beverage, and offers...
Assam Secondary Road Network Improvement Project
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank approved a $320 million loan to fund the Assam Secondary Road Network Improvement Project (ASRIP), a $371.2 million initiative to upgrade over 30 road segments and construct two major bridges across the Luit and Subansiri rivers. The...
U.S. Oil Exporters Under Scrutiny
The United States has surged as a global swing supplier of energy amid the Iran war‑induced shortage, shipping 153 million tons of crude, gasoline, LNG, diesel, jet fuel and ethane from January to April 2026. That represents a 20% year‑over‑year increase...
Chinese Chip Pioneer Calls for Focus on ‘Pragmatic Breakthroughs’ over Chasing 2nm Hype
Richard Chang Rugin, the founder of SMIC and veteran of Texas Instruments, warned China’s semiconductor sector against fixating on 2‑nm and 3‑nm hype. He urged a shift toward mature‑node and specialty processes, which account for more than 80% of global...
Iran War Threatens Long-Term Confidence in Hormuz Oil Flows, IEA Says
The International Energy Agency’s Fatih Birol warned that the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz has permanently damaged confidence in one of the world’s most critical oil and gas chokepoints. The waterway, which moves roughly a fifth of global oil...
MIDA Expands Malaysia’s Semiconductor Supply Chain Role Through Johor–Singapore SEZ Partnership
The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) partnered with Micron Technology and OCBC to host a Johor‑Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS‑SEZ) supplier event alongside SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026. The initiative aims to boost supply‑chain resilience, localisation and competitiveness in Malaysia’s semiconductor...
Manufacturing Revenue and Profitability Slump as Global Conflict Pressures Sector, Report Says
Australian small‑and‑medium manufacturers saw revenue plunge 42% quarter‑on‑quarter to $356,000 AUD (≈$235,000 USD) in Q1 2026, while average gross margins slipped to 32.8%, the lowest since Unleashed began tracking in 2018. Inventory values fell 56% YoY to about $200,500 AUD (≈$132,000 USD) and raw‑material...
Iran War Deadlock Fuels Market Uncertainty
Iran’s ongoing war deadlock has left the Strait of Hormuz effectively blocked, reigniting a surge in oil prices as the market grapples with supply uncertainty. President Donald Trump floated a federal gas‑tax holiday to ease pump prices, but the proposal...
World Bank Unveils DPI Procurement Guide for More Integrated Digital Services
The World Bank Group released a guidance note to help governments procure digital ID systems that are scalable, interoperable and future‑ready. The guide urges a shift from technology‑prescriptive contracts to outcome‑based, technology‑neutral procurement, stressing clear acceptance criteria, data ownership and...
Manufacturing Automation’s ‘Blind Spot’ Remains at the Cut, Says Sandvik Coromant
Sandvik Coromant warns that manufacturing automation still lacks visibility at the cutting interface, even as factories adopt robotics and connected dashboards. The company promotes sensorized tooling—cutting tools equipped with force, vibration and chatter sensors—to deliver real‑time data that can trigger...
At the Global Conference: Interest Pivots From Software to Hard-Tech
At the Milken Institute Global Conference, CEOs Chris Power of Hadrian Automation and Julie Bush of Valinor highlighted a growing shift from pure software to hard‑tech manufacturing. Hadrian is integrating AI with veteran welders and casting experts to redesign factories,...
ARM Hub BioBriefing Spotlights Manufacturing Gap in Medtech Innovation
The ARM Hub BioBriefing in Brisbane highlighted a persistent gap between medtech research and scalable manufacturing in Australia. Industry leaders noted a policy shift toward urban manufacturing, positioning Queensland as a proving ground for on‑shore production. Speakers emphasized AI‑as‑a‑Service as...
PM Modi Issues 2nd Warning in 24 Hours: Indians Need Major Changes as West Asia War Hits World?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned Indians to curb fuel consumption as the U.S.-Iran clash fuels volatility in global oil markets. He highlighted that Middle‑East instability is inflating India’s crude import bill and straining foreign‑exchange reserves. Modi urged greater use of...
Customers Offer to Buy Manufacturing Equipment for Memory Makers
Customers of SK Hynix are proposing to finance the purchase of advanced ASML EUV lithography equipment or dedicated memory production lines to secure supply amid a system memory shortage. Hynix is evaluating the offers but worries about becoming beholden to...
COMAU and OMRON Robotics to Collaborate on Expanding Advanced Industrial Automation Solutions Across Light Industry, Electronics, and Medical Manufacturing
COMAU and OMRON Robotics have signed a strategic collaboration to jointly develop advanced industrial automation solutions for light‑industry, electronics, semiconductor, and medical manufacturing. The partnership merges COMAU’s robot hardware with Omron’s control and software platforms, aiming to deliver flexible, scalable...
The Army Wants to Reinvent How It Feeds Soldiers in the Field
The Army Combat Capabilities Development Command issued a source‑sought notice seeking alternative‑protein technologies to overhaul field rations. It is looking for long‑shelf‑life, lightweight, nutrient‑dense meals produced via fermentation or precision fermentation, explicitly excluding lab‑grown meat and insect protein. The initiative...
Papa Johns & Little Caesars Launch Drone Delivery Service and One Will Get You Pizza in Minutes
Papa John’s and Little Caesars have entered the drone‑delivery arena, with Little Caesars offering pizza deliveries in about four and a half minutes in Wylie, Texas, via Flytrex. Papa John’s partnered with Wing to deliver toasted sandwiches in Charlotte, North Carolina, rather than pizza....
IKO to Showcase Crossed Roller Bearings, Mechatronics and More at Automate 2026
IKO International will exhibit at Automate 2026 in Chicago, showcasing its crossed‑roller bearings, NT Series positioning tables, and a new Fast Track production program. The company highlights the high rigidity, accuracy, and compactness of its CRBs, while the NT tables combine...
The Hormuz Crisis and China’s Energy Security Dilemma
The escalation of the Israel‑U.S. conflict with Iran has disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, turning a long‑standing strategic risk into an immediate constraint on China’s oil supply. China imports roughly 4 billion barrels of crude each year, with about...
Tormach Launches Automatic Collet Closer for 8L Lathe, Boosting Speed, Precision for Small-Part Production
Tormach has unveiled an Automatic Collet Closer for its 8L Lathe, adding air‑actuated 5C collet clamping that speeds up part changes and improves repeatability. The accessory integrates with the PathPilot control system and offers optional foot‑pedal actuation for hands‑free operation....
UK Spent More than $22 Million for Starlink Supplies, Report Shows
The British Ministry of Defence has spent more than $22.6 million on SpaceX’s Starlink satellites and terminals over the past four years, funding both Ukrainian resistance and British forces abroad. Over 50,000 terminals have been shipped to Ukraine since the 2022...
CN: UP/NS Amended Merger Application Shows ‘Disregard for the Process’
Canadian National (CN) filed formal comments with the Surface Transportation Board urging rejection of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern’s amended merger application. CN argues the filing still omits required competition analyses, provides inconsistent market‑share data, and fails to submit a...
Cleaner Oceans or Cheaper Cruises? The Decision Looms
The International Maritime Organization has drafted a Net‑Zero Framework that would impose a global fuel standard and a carbon‑pricing mechanism on all ocean‑going vessels over 5,000 gross tonnage. Approval has been stalled by the United States and 15 other nations,...
What Really Happens when States Add Delivery Fees to Online Orders
U.S. states are mandating small delivery fees—typically under $1—on online orders, prompting concern among retailers about price sensitivity. New research published in the Journal of Business Logistics shows that shoppers are far more likely to accept these fees when they...
Trucking Fleets Embrace Gen AI, but Data Problems Slow Growth
Trucking fleets are rapidly adopting generative AI, with 87.1% using large language models for back‑office functions, driver feedback and document extraction. AI tools for driver safety have reached 61.3% adoption, yet only 9.7% of fleets feed telematics or ELD data...
Uber’s AI Knows the City Before Your Driver Does
Uber has launched a driver‑facing AI assistant and a voice‑enabled rider booking feature powered by OpenAI. The assistant pulls live marketplace data to give city‑specific routing and earnings advice, cutting new‑driver ramp‑up from hundreds of trips to just dozens. A...
US Tariffs Erase All of Toyota’s North America Profits in FY2026
Toyota reported a record FY2026 revenue of ¥50.7 trillion ($324 bn) and a 2% rise in global vehicle sales. Yet U.S. tariffs erased all profit in its North American hub, creating a $1.9 bn operating loss and a –1.4% margin. The tariff hit,...
Manufacturing Industry Lost 2,000 Jobs in April: BLS
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that manufacturing shed 2,000 jobs in April, a 50% year‑over‑year increase but a 113% drop from March’s 15,000‑job gain. The ISM employment index fell to 46.4%, confirming a contraction in hiring. Transportation equipment...
VIDEO: Mack Trucks Redesigns PartsASIST Online Platform
Mack Trucks has unveiled a full redesign of its PartsASIST online parts‑ordering platform, originally launched in 2021. The upgrade features a modern, responsive interface, faster load times, and advanced search tools that let users filter by VIN, chassis series, and...
Century Aluminum Advances Oklahoma Smelter Project, CEO Says
Century Aluminum announced progress on its joint Oklahoma smelter with Emirates Global Aluminum, targeting a final investment decision and groundbreaking by year‑end, which would double U.S. aluminum output. The company is also ramping up production at its Mt. Holly, South...
US-Iran Ceasefire 'on Life Support' With Energy Woes to Continue in 2027
The United States and Iran have hit a stalemate in cease‑fire talks, leaving the Strait of Hormuz closed to commercial shipping. President Donald Trump insists on a "complete victory" while Tehran demands an end to the U.S. naval blockade and...
Why I Started Testing Automation Scripts Through Residential Networks
A warehouse‑automation engineer struggled with datacenter proxies that triggered CAPTCHAs and silent bans, limiting data‑collection reliability. By routing requests through residential and mobile proxies, the success rate jumped from 61% to over 95% and content accuracy improved. The new setup...
Iran War Chokes ‘Major Driver’ of Global Economy
The U.S. war in Iran has choked the Strait of Hormuz, trapping roughly 15 million barrels of crude and 5 million barrels of petroleum products each day. The resulting supply squeeze pushed U.S. diesel prices 60 percent higher than a year ago, the...
Winners Announced for Supply Chain Excellence Awards MEA 2026
The second annual Supply Chain Excellence Awards Middle East & Africa (MEA) announced winners in an online ceremony hosted by Logistics Manager editor‑in‑chief John Thornton. Sixty‑six entries from 11 countries competed across 20 categories, including digital transformation, sustainability, automation and...
Jean-Hugues De Lamaze: Is Hormuz the New Fukushima?
A blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has halted roughly a quarter of global oil output and significant LNG volumes, creating the worst energy shock on record, according to the IEA. The disruption mirrors the systemic shock of Fukushima but...
Nexans to Acquire Republic Wire
Nexans announced it will acquire 100% of Republic Wire for an enterprise value of about €680 million (≈$741 million), with a possible €43 million (≈$47 million) earn‑out. Republic Wire generated roughly €520 million (≈$567 million) in revenue over the year to February 2026 and operates a...
US Offers Lower Tariffs for Canada, Mexico Steel, Aluminum Producers
The U.S. Commerce Department unveiled a process that lets Canadian and Mexican steel and aluminum producers halve the Section 232 tariff from 50% to 25% if they pledge to build or expand primary production facilities in the United States. To qualify,...
Indonesia Strengthens Turkish Defence Ties with Kizilelma Drone Order
Indonesia has signed a deal for 12 Bayraktar Kizilelma unmanned aerial vehicles, with options for an additional 48, creating up to five drone squadrons. The agreement, signed with Baykar and local partner Republikorp, includes domestic production and a maintenance centre,...
MDA Space Officially Opens New Montreal Facility to Support Satellite Prime Contractor Strategy
MDA Space has opened a 185,000‑square‑foot satellite manufacturing plant in Montreal, doubling its production footprint. The facility is designed for high‑volume assembly of the AURORA software‑defined satellites, targeting up to 400 units per year. Automated equipment and a proprietary test...
Tonnages Rebound as Flower Surge Ends
Global air‑freight volumes slipped 7% in week 18 as the seasonal flower surge for Mother’s Day faded and Labor‑Day holidays curbed shipments. Despite the dip, April delivered a 5% year‑on‑year tonnage rebound and average rates surged 28% to $3.17 per kilogram,...
Logistics Leaders to Gather in Bucharest for the European Freight Forwarders Congress
The European Freight Forwarders Congress will convene in Bucharest from May 18‑20, 2026, merging the 16th SEEFF Congress with the 2nd FIATA REU Field Meeting under FIATA patronage. Organized by Romania’s Freight Forwarders Association, the three‑day event will host over...
Intel to Make Apple Chips: Report
Apple and Intel have reached a preliminary deal for Intel to manufacture certain Apple processors, including chips for the upcoming MacBook Neo and possibly entry‑level M‑series SoCs. Apple is looking to diversify its supply chain as TSMC faces capacity constraints...
Iran Oil Crisis: Geography of Energy Risk Is Changing with Renewables, Not Disappearing
The article warns that batteries, while touted as a path to energy independence, are creating a new concentration risk because China dominates the supply chain for cells and critical materials. It cites the $1.5 trillion, ten‑year JP Morgan initiative focused on nuclear,...
Kuehne+Nagel Adds New Hyderbad Airfreight Cross-Dock
Kuehne+Nagel has opened a 248 sq m air‑freight cross‑dock in Hyderabad to serve the city’s booming pharmaceutical sector. The facility features dedicated temperature zones of 2‑8 °C and 15‑25 °C and complies with the company’s HealthChain quality standard. Hyderabad accounts for more than 40%...
Behind the Scenes Tour: From Ingredients to the Shelf
Women in Nutraceuticals organized a behind‑the‑scenes tour of Adept Life Sciences, Arizona Custom Blends and 21st Century HealthCare, revealing the full supplement supply chain from raw ingredient testing to shelf‑ready bottles. Each company isolates incoming materials, conducts identity and microbiological...
Papa Johns, Wing Launch Drone Delivery Pilot in North Carolina
Papa Johns and Wing, an Alphabet-owned drone service, have launched a pilot delivering toasted sandwiches by drone in Charlotte, North Carolina. The program, operating from Indian Trail, offers three sandwich varieties through the Wing app and will later integrate directly...
U.S.-managed Bulk Ship Attacked in Persian Gulf
A 590‑foot bulk carrier, the Safesea Neha, was struck by a projectile near Doha, Qatar on May 10, causing a small fire but no injuries. The vessel, managed by U.S.‑based Safesea Group and sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, is the...
Amazon Offers Non-Sellers More of Its Supply Chain Services
Amazon launched Amazon Supply Chain Services, a unified portal offering freight, distribution, fulfillment and parcel shipping to any business, not just marketplace sellers. CEO Andy Jassy likened the expansion to the growth of AWS, positioning logistics as a new revenue...