USG Supramax Market Evolving in Owners’ Favour
The US Gulf (USG) Supramax freight market saw a modest rebound in May, with spot tonnage supply remaining tight and strong demand for fronthaul grain shipments to Japan and petcoke cargoes to India. Spot rates for a Supramax lot of petcoke from Houston to the ARA region averaged $33 per ton, while deliveries to Turkey’s Iskenderun fetched about $41 per ton and shipments to eastern India commanded roughly $60 per ton. Shipowners focused on lucrative fronthaul trades and demanded premiums for weaker transatlantic routes, especially east of the Mediterranean, amid heightened bunker price volatility. Analysts warn that an influx of ballasted vessels later in the season could depress rates unless late‑May/June cargo volumes surge, which would quickly lift pricing given the constrained supply.
The Biggest Challenges Facing Logistics Operators This Summer
Logistics operators are confronting a perfect storm of rising diesel prices, persistent labor shortages, extreme summer heat, and weather‑related disruptions. Fuel costs have jumped nearly 50% since February, prompting firms to boost load density by 19% to protect margins. Operators...
China’s Factory Activity Beats Forecasts in May, Private Survey Shows, Despite Softer Official Data
China’s private RatingDog manufacturing PMI rose to 51.8 in May, edging above the 51.6 forecast but slipping from April’s 52.2. The official PMI, covering a broader base, fell to 50 from 50.3, its weakest reading since February. While input prices...
Gotta Blame Somebody
The U.S. Supreme Court in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II LLC held that freight brokers can be liable for the safety violations of carriers they hire. The ruling focused on C.H. Robinson’s hiring of a carrier with a conditional safety...
China Pledges Base Commodity Support to Cambodia Amid Supply Pressures
China pledged supplies of oil, gas and fertilizer to Cambodia during a May 27 meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Cambodian counterpart Prak Sokhonn. The pledge follows Beijing’s recent decision to lift its fertilizer export ban and issue urea quotas to...
Australia's Longest Road Trains Dwarf American Semi Trucks (But They'd Never Work In The US)
Australian road trains—up to 175 feet long and weighing 380,000 lb— dwarf the United States’ 70‑80‑foot, 80,000‑lb Class 8 semis. The article explains why such ultra‑long combos thrive in the sparsely populated Outback but would be impractical on America’s dense interstate network. It...
Build the First Donald J. Trump Maritime Prosperity Zone in Alaska
The White House’s Maritime Action Plan and FY2027 budget earmark billions of dollars to revive U.S. maritime capacity, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced the creation of the first Donald J. Trump Maritime Prosperity Zone (MPZ) in Alaska. The...
Emerging Houthi–Al-Shabaab Co-Operation and the Growing Threat to Red Sea Shipping
Intelligence from the UN and U.S. indicates that Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Somalia’s Al‑Shabaab are sharing drones, missiles and logistical support despite their sectarian differences. The exchange, first reported in 2024, expands Al‑Shabaab’s firepower and could push its operations beyond...
Oman Warns of Suspected Floating Mine in Hormuz, Reinforcing Shipping Industry Fears
Oman’s Maritime Security Centre issued a navigation warning after a floating object, suspected to be a naval mine, was sighted near the Inshore Traffic Zone in the Strait of Hormuz. The alert underscores persistent mine threats that industry groups have...
'More Than Just A Work Vehicle:' Kia Has Big Plans For Its Commercial Vans
Kia unveiled its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) initiative, debuting the all‑electric PV5 van as the first model of a modular commercial‑vehicle family. The PBV platform is built from the ground up as an EV, offering a tight 18‑foot turning radius,...
Amazon Launches Cargo Bike Deliveries in DC
Amazon has launched a 10‑month pilot in Washington, D.C., deploying up to 15 electric cargo bikes to handle last‑mile deliveries. The bikes are loaded at a micro‑hub in Southwest D.C. and will operate in bike lanes and loading zones, mirroring...
Indonesia Advances Export Control Plan Despite Uncertainty
Indonesia is moving forward with a plan to centralize exports of its key commodities, requiring producers to submit documentation to the newly created state‑owned firm PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia starting June 1. The move targets coal, palm oil and ferro‑alloy shipments...
Pulling Customs From ‘Sanctuary’ City Airports Would Cause Chaos, Business Groups Say
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has floated a plan to pull Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in so‑called sanctuary cities, effectively barring international flights at hubs such as Boston, New York and Los Angeles. The proposal is presented as a...
Poland Builds 155mm Artillery Shells with British Help
Poland’s state armaments group PGZ and Britain’s BAE Systems received the British‑Polish Collaboration Award for their joint 155 mm artillery shell program. The partnership, signed in September 2025, includes technology transfer and the construction of a new ammunition plant on Polish...
Japan's Imports of Oil-Derived Naphtha Plunge 47% in April Due to Iran War
Japan’s imports of oil‑derived naphtha dropped 47% in April to 1.14 million kiloliters year‑on‑year, driven by a 79% plunge in Middle‑East shipments after the U.S.–Israeli attacks on Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz. The United States surged to become the top...
The U.S.-China Rivalry Is Killing Global Supply Chains. Your Portfolio Ne...
The article warns that the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry, compounded by broader great‑power tensions, is unraveling integrated global supply chains. It argues that traditional globalization is being supplanted by geopolitical “cartels” and a push toward domestic, state‑subsidized production. While the United...
JAC Officially Opens Joint Venture Plant in Tashkent
JAC has opened a joint‑venture assembly plant in Tashkent’s Yangi Avlod Industrial Park, partnering with the Tashkent Investment Company. The facility will produce a range of models—including the M3, M4, Xingrui, JS8, RF8, T8 and T9—covering both commercial and passenger...
Medline Details Its Prime Vendor Model Expansion Into Canada
Medline announced the expansion of its Prime vendor supply model into Canada, naming Mohawk Medbury as the first customer. The agreement gives Medline control over product sourcing, inventory, distribution and daily deliveries from its Guelph warehouse for hospitals in southwestern...
World’s Top Economic Bodies Warn Hormuz Disruptions Are Draining Oil Inventories at Record Pace
Four leading global institutions – the IEA, IMF, World Bank and WTO – issued a rare joint warning that ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are rapidly depleting oil inventories. Shipping through the chokepoint remains far below pre‑war levels,...
Cosco and Argentina’s PTP Commit to Invest €116m in Spanish Port
China Cosco Shipping and Argentina’s PTP Group have secured a 50‑year concession to build a new multipurpose terminal at Spain’s Tarragona port, committing €116 million (about $135 million). The project will develop a 510,000‑square‑metre site that includes a wharf and rail connections,...
UPS Expands Support for Manufacturers with $50 Million Expansion
Supply‑chain visibility is being transformed by sensor technology as the global market, valued at $10.5 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $25.8 billion by 2033. Walmart has partnered with ambient‑IoT firm Wiliot to deploy battery‑free Pixel tags on pallets, aiming to...
Quarter of Big Oil Tankers Trapped by Iran War Have Escaped
About a quarter of the non‑Iranian super‑tankers stranded in the Persian Gulf after the February 28 closure of the Strait of Hormuz have now slipped through. Bloomberg data shows 29 of the 109 vessels capable of carrying 700,000 barrels or more...
Tensions on Middle East Maritime Routes Threaten Global Trade, Vietnam Leader Warns
Vietnam President To Lam warned at the Shangri‑La Dialogue that rising tensions on key Middle East maritime routes could disrupt global trade and energy supplies. He emphasized that a single flashpoint—such as the Bab al‑Mandab or Strait of Hormuz—can reverberate through...
Japan Backs Philippine’s Strategic Oil Reserve Plan
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has signed a cooperation agreement with the Philippines’ Department of Energy to develop a strategic petroleum reserve program. The partnership will include feasibility studies, technical assistance, and potential financing for new storage facilities...
Graphite One Secures Ohio Site for 10,000-Tonne Battery Anode Materials Facility
Graphite One has secured a 30‑acre site in Conneaut, Ohio to build its Active Anode Materials plant, leveraging lake, rail and power access. Phase One will produce 10,000 tonnes of lithium‑ion anode material annually, split among energy‑storage, fast‑charging and high‑energy‑density grades, with...
How Rail Mega-Merger Moved Ahead, and STB Avoided Making History
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern’s $85 billion merger advanced after the Surface Transportation Board (STB) declined a historic second rejection, instead requesting additional data. The market reacted sharply, erasing roughly $7.5 billion—about 10% of the deal’s estimated value—from the two railroads’ combined...
The Race for Madagascar Has Already Started
Madagascar’s October 2025 coup and subsequent power reshuffle have thrust the island into a geopolitical spotlight. The nation sits on sizable deposits of nickel, cobalt, graphite and other critical minerals essential for modern technologies. Russia has deepened ties, providing weapons, training...
UPS Expands Airfreight Reach Across North America and Mexico
UPS announced that its North American Air Freight (NAAF) service will launch time‑definite heavy airfreight options to and from Mexico starting in August. Customers can choose one‑, two‑ or three‑day delivery windows, aiming to move high‑value, time‑sensitive parts faster and...
Supply Chain KPIs Are No Longer Keeping Up with the Job
Supply chain leaders are now tasked with resilience, speed, risk mitigation, and strategic alignment, yet most organizations still evaluate performance with legacy cost‑centric KPIs. The Institute for Supply Management warns that this mismatch incentivizes short‑term savings at the expense of...
Tesla Is Starting Production of Its Cybercab Robotaxi
Tesla announced that volume production of its two‑seat Cybercab robotaxi has begun at the Giga Texas plant. While a prototype rolled off the line in February, the company is now scaling manufacturing, though Elon Musk warned the ramp will follow...
Gartner Says Supply Chain Confront Geopolitical and AI Challenges
At Gartner’s Supply Chain Symposium, analyst Alejandro Santalo warned that supply‑chain leaders face a dual shock from tightening geopolitics and AI‑driven capacity constraints. He urged executives to build operational flexibility, diversify sourcing, and secure long‑term semiconductor allocations as hyperscalers reshape...
Intel and 3DGS Back a $3.3bn Glass-Substrate Plant in India’s Odisha
Intel and 3D Glass Solutions have signed an MoU to build a $3.3 billion glass‑core substrate plant in Odisha, India, over the next five to six years. The facility will target production of about 70,000 glass substrates, 50 million assembled units and...
Belgian Airports Unite for Digitalisation of Cargo Customs Processes
Belgian airports Brussels, Liège and Ostend‑Bruges are adopting a shared digital customs platform coordinated by Air Cargo Belgium and LGG Connect. The system lets cargo operators submit import, export and transit declarations, including Temporary Storage Declarations, via BRUCloud and LGG...
SAAM Takes Full Control of Intertug’s Ops in Colombia and Mexico
SAAM completed purchase of the remaining 30% stake in Intertug’s Colombian and Mexican operations for $30.5 million, gaining full ownership. The deal follows its 2021 acquisition of a 70% stake, cementing SAAM’s presence in Latin America. SAAM Towage now controls a...
Rates Spike on Horizon as Pressures on Liner Networks Tighten
South African Association of Freight Forwarders researcher Jacob van Rensburg warns that freight rates could rise sharply in the coming weeks as the Global Supply Chain Pressure Index (GSCPI) climbs and carriers regain pricing power. Historical data show carrier profits...
Why Is the Strait of Hormuz Important?
The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly 20.9 million barrels of petroleum liquids each day, about one‑fifth of global oil consumption and a quarter of all seaborne oil trade, plus over 20 % of LNG shipments. Because the corridor links major Gulf exporters...
Pivot Raises $40 Million to Rebuild Enterprise Procurement Around Agentic AI
Pivot announced a $40 million Series B round, bringing its total funding to $70 million, to accelerate its AI‑driven procurement operating system. The platform claims to unify sourcing, approvals, invoicing and payments while delivering real‑time spend visibility before financial exposure hits ERP systems....
From Regulatory Shifts to On-Site Power: The New Economics of Heavy-Duty EV Infrastructure
After the 2024 election and subsequent federal EV regulation rollbacks, heavy‑duty electric vehicle adoption slowed, but California’s CARB enforcement kept fleets on track. Zeem Solutions, led by CEO Paul Gioupis, reports renewed electrification momentum, driven by better vehicle performance such...
Conestoga vs Flatbed Shipping for Weather-Sensitive Cargo
Choosing between a flatbed and a Conestoga trailer hinges on whether weather exposure is acceptable. Flatbeds offer maximum loading flexibility at the lowest rate but leave cargo vulnerable to rain, dust and road debris unless manually tarped. Conestoga trailers retain...
Claes Retail Group (JBC) Is Moving Its Logistics Operations to an External Warehouse
Claes Retail Group, owner of JBC and CKS, will outsource its logistics to provider Paxon and centralize operations in a new Beringen distribution center. The move ends use of the Houthalen site, deemed non‑viable, and consolidates all flows under one...
Fives Expands Automation Capabilities with Fives Automatización México
Industrial engineering firm Fives is expanding its footprint in Mexico through the launch of Fives Automatización México. The new subsidiary operates from two facilities in Saltillo and Silao, employing 100 staff across 6,500 m² of workshop space. It will deliver integrated...
Foundries, Sector-Specific OSATs to Boost Domestic Semiconductor Industry: Cyient
India’s semiconductor ecosystem is gaining momentum as Cyient executive PNSV Narasimham calls for dedicated chip foundries and sector‑specific OSATs. The government’s India Semiconductor Mission 1.0 allocated roughly $9.2 billion, while the upcoming ISM 2.0 earmarks about $120 million for equipment, IP and supply‑chain...
IPRO Intermodal TOS: 10 Reasons Terminals Rely on Tideworks
Tideworks Technology’s Intermodal Pro (IPRO) TOS offers a fully configurable platform for rail, yard and gate planning across terminals of any size. It delivers real‑time guided operations, move orchestration, crane optimisation and a digital‑twin view that together reduce congestion and...
Vizhinjam Port Handles 2 Million TEUs in 18 Months, Fastest for Any Indian Port
Vizhinjam International Seaport logged 2 million TEUs within just 18 months, making it the fastest Indian port to hit that volume. The milestone follows a rapid rise from trial operations in July 2024 to 1 million TEUs by August 2025. Over 950 vessels, including 67...
DryDel Expands Japanese Newbuild Spree with Trio of Bulkers
Greek dry bulk owner DryDel Shipping has expanded its Japanese newbuilding programme with orders for three additional vessels: an 82,000‑dwt Kamsarmax slated for 2028 delivery and two 64,000‑dwt ultramaxes due in 2029 and 2030. The ships will be built to...
23rd China-ASEAN Expo to Unveil New Business Opportunities
China’s 23rd China‑ASEAN Expo will be held in Nanning from Sept 17‑21, coinciding with the activation of the CAFTA 3.0 upgrade protocol. The event will spotlight digital‑economy and green development zones, an AI‑driven matchmaking platform, and the 134.2‑km Pinglu Canal as a...
CORRECTION: As the Supreme Court Strips Broker Immunity, Mariner Logistics Introduces the Sentinel Protocol for Systematic Carrier and Driver Verification
Mariner Logistics unveiled the Sentinel Protocol, a documented, multi‑source carrier and driver verification standard applied to every shipment. The launch follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s unanimous Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II decision, which strips freight brokers of blanket immunity under...
Packserv Expands Manufacturing Offering with SIAT Distribution Deal in Australia
Packserv announced a distribution agreement with Italian packaging specialist SIAT, making it the exclusive Australian partner for a suite of end‑of‑line equipment such as case erectors, sealers and pallet wrappers. The deal expands Packserv’s portfolio beyond its existing filling, capping...
Ernst Russ Reports Growing Charter Backlog
Ernst Russ AG posted Q1 2026 revenue of €37.8 million (~$41 million) and EBIT of €13.2 million (~$14 million), while its charter backlog surged to €620.9 million (~$677 million) with an average remaining duration of 34.3 months. The Hamburg shipowner added two 7‑year charter multipurpose vessels and announced...
An Up-Close Look at the Strait of Hormuz From Both Land and Water
PBS NewsHour correspondent Reza Sayah filmed the Strait of Hormuz amid a three‑month standoff between Iran and the United States, where each side has imposed a naval blockade. The United Nations estimates roughly 1,500 commercial vessels and over 20,000 seafarers...