The West Has Long Characterized Iran’s Oil As A Prize To Be Claimed
The article traces how Western powers have long portrayed Iran’s oil as a coveted prize, beginning with the 1908 discovery that birthed the Anglo‑Persian Oil Company, later BP. It shows how BP’s interwar advertising turned Iran into an exotic backdrop for British technological heroism, marginalizing Iranians. The piece links this historic narrative to today’s heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, where U.S.‑Israeli strikes on Iranian facilities risk disrupting one‑fifth of global oil flow. It argues that the same logic of control underpins current geopolitical maneuvers.
Basler AG and Orbbec Launch Technology Partnership for Industrial 3D Vision in Logistics and Factory Automation
Basler AG and Chinese robotics specialist Orbbec have formed a strategic partnership to develop industrial 3D vision solutions for logistics and factory automation. Their first joint product, the Basler Stereo mini camera, will debut at LogiMAT 2026 and targets autonomous mobile...
Ironhorse ACM AC Drives and ACN EtherCAT Communications Modules From AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect launched the IronHorse ACM series AC drives, offering V/Hz and sensorless vector control for low‑horsepower motors using single‑phase 120 V or 230 V power. The drives cover 1/8 to 3 HP, feature five digital inputs, two relay outputs, analog I/O, dynamic braking,...
Hactl Moves to 100% Recycled Plastic Sheets for Cargo
Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) has completed a transition to 100 % closed‑loop recycled plastic sheets for its cargo operations, after piloting 30‑50 % recycled content since 2022. The program, developed with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute, uses post‑consumer...
Shaviv Deburring Tools, Sets and Accessories From AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect announced the launch of new Shaviv deburring tool sets, including a premium 21‑piece and a 12‑piece kit, both featuring ergonomic universal handles and quick‑change blade holders. The expanded Heavy‑duty and Mango IIB/IIE configurations add compact, direct‑blade designs for tight‑space...
Define Instruments Panel Meters & Signal Conditioners
AutomationDirect has added Define Instruments digital panel meters, signal conditioners, and temperature transmitters to its catalog. The Merlin series meters accept current, temperature, voltage, potentiometer and pulse inputs, feature advanced scaling, USB‑based configuration and an IP65‑rated LED display. The LPI610...
More Datalogic Smart-VS Vision Sensors From AutomationDirect
AutomationDirect has added two new Datalogic Smart‑VS vision sensors to its catalog: the Smart‑VS Plus and the Smart‑VS EVO. The Plus model introduces a third object classification and expands image storage to 20 frames while maintaining a 50‑400 mm range and...
Australian Forwarders Seek Aid as Surcharges and ‘Dumped’ Boxes Drive Costs Up
Australian freight forwarders, backed by APSA and the Freight & Trade Alliance, are seeking government assistance to offset soaring shipping costs caused by the US/Israeli war against Iran. Conflict‑related surcharges and end‑of‑voyage fees are adding up to about $4,000 per...
Flexport Dispute Sheds Light on How AI Is Reshaping Freight Forwarding
Flexport is suing former employees and rival startup Freightmate AI over alleged misuse of shipment documents to train AI tools. The dispute centers on thousands of real‑world freight documents that were downloaded and could give Freightmate a data advantage, rather...
Trenitalia’s Espresso Riviera Sleeper Suspended as SNCF Constraints Bite
Trenitalia’s heritage night train Espresso Riviera, which linked Milan to Nice in 2024 and expanded to a Rome‑Marseille route in 2025, will not run in the 2026 summer despite carrying over 3,500 passengers across nine weekends. The operator cites force‑majeure after...
Roeth: Fleets Need to Prepare for Fuel Volatility Like a Squirrel Prepares for Winter
Diesel prices have surged from $2.55 per gallon in 2020 to nearly $5 in 2022, underscoring the volatility that fleets now face. Michael Roeth urges operators to treat fuel efficiency like a squirrel stockpiling for winter, investing in engine optimization,...
Polestar Switches to Batteries with 50% Recycled Cobalt
Polestar announced that the batteries in its Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 models now contain at least 50 percent recycled cobalt and will use refurbished modules for any replacements. The move is part of a broader circular‑economy strategy that aims to extend battery...
Gulf Energy Maritime in for MR Tanker Series at HD Hyundai
Dubai‑based Gulf Energy Maritime (GEM) has placed a $300 million order for six 50,000‑dwt medium‑range product tankers, split evenly between HD Hyundai’s Korean and Vietnamese shipyards. The vessels are slated for delivery between 2027 and 2029, expanding GEM’s fleet beyond ten...
Lytica and the Emergence of a Pricing Science Layer in Procurement
Lytica is launching a pricing‑science layer that turns anonymized buyer transaction data into real‑time market intelligence for procurement teams. By modeling prices as statistical distributions rather than static benchmarks, the platform lets companies gauge how competitive their spend is across...
Nestlé Trials AI Technology to Tackle Factory Food Waste
Nestlé has piloted Zest’s AI platform across its factories, instantly linking fragmented production data to pinpoint and reduce food waste. The system uncovered four times more edible surplus than manual checks, redirecting 201.9 tonnes—equivalent to about 480,000 meals—to people in need...
Scaling Rail Monitoring Without Maintenance Mountains
Rail operators are confronting a looming “maintenance mountain” as the drive to install more point sensors for landslides, trespass and cable theft creates endless battery swaps, cleaning and access challenges. The article proposes Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) that repurposes existing...
State Aid Approved for France - Italy Piggyback Service
The European Commission’s competition directorate approved state aid for the French and Italian governments to revive the cross‑border piggyback service between Aiton, near Chambéry, and Orbassano near Turin. Launched in 2003 on Modalohr swing‑tray wagons after the Mont Blanc tunnel...
Cutting-Edge Sensor Tech Targets Cargo Theft as Losses Hit $725M
Supply chain losses from cargo theft jumped to about $725 million in 2025, driven by organized crime targeting high‑value freight. Wiliot, an Israeli‑San Diego IoT firm, offers battery‑free, paper‑thin Bluetooth tags that give each product a digital identity and real‑time visibility...
FS Logistix and Logtainer Launch New Port-Inland Connections in Italy
FS Logistix and Logtainer have launched new rail‑freight services linking the Ligurian ports of Genoa and Vado Ligure with inland terminals in Verona and Milan. The partnership enables containers arriving by ship to be transferred directly onto Mercitalia trains for...
What Shippers Need From LCL Consolidators in the Era of Ever-Disruption
Tim Jurischka argues that LCL consolidators must shift from pure cost‑optimisation to building resilience amid persistent geopolitical and trade disruptions. He highlights that traditional, static consolidation networks struggle when routes are blocked or capacity tightens, leading to higher freight rates...
Intra-Asia Trade the Next Hunting Ground for M&A-Hungry Carriers
Intra‑Asia container trade emerged as the most profitable segment in 2025, with volumes nearing 50 million TEU. Taiwan’s Wan Hai Lines posted the highest operating margin at 18.9%, while Cosco’s $4.3 bn net profit was buoyed by strong intra‑Asia earnings. The region’s growth,...
Asia Looks to Covid-Era Playbook to Tackle Fuel Crisis
Asia, which purchases more than 80% of the crude transiting the Strait of Hormuz, is confronting a severe fuel shortage after Iran blocked the waterway following its war on February 28. Governments from South Korea to the Philippines are reviving...
Germany Joins Canada, Japan, France, India, Poland, Singapore, And Others In Suspending Flights To UAE, Stranding Passengers As Airspace Restrictions...
Germany has joined a growing list of nations—including Canada, Japan, France, India, Poland and Singapore—in suspending all commercial flights to the United Arab Emirates due to heightened safety concerns and airspace restrictions tied to the Iran conflict. Major carriers such...
Second ATR 72-600MPA Touches Down After Multi-Stop Global Operation
Chapman Freeborn has completed the delivery of a second ATR 72‑600MPA to the Philippine Air Force after a complex multi‑stop ferry operation that spanned Egypt, Oman, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The aircraft, built by Leonardo in Italy, is configured for maritime...
Restis Family Backs Fresh Tanker Order in Korea
Greek tanker owner Golden Energy Management, controlled by the Restis family, has placed a new 157,000‑dwt suezmax order with South Korea’s DH Shipbuilding for approximately $89.5 million, with delivery slated for 2029. This contract brings the company's total Korean‑built suezmax orders...
China’s EV Battery Makers Widen Lead to over 70% Global Share
Chinese EV battery manufacturers surged to a global installed‑capacity share of over 70% in 2025, up from under 50% in 2021. CATL led the market with a 39.2% share and posted a record net profit of RMB 72.2 billion (≈$10.5 billion), a 42%...
There Are No Missiles Raining Down on Havana. But What I Saw There Was Still Warfare | Owen Jones
Owen Jones reports that the Trump administration’s recent fuel embargo has deepened Cuba’s humanitarian crisis, crippling hospitals, blacking out the grid, and halting tourism. The lack of diesel has left the Ramón González Coro maternity hospital without essential medicines, while...
The Math Behind Lego’s Big Virgin Plastic Reduction
Lego reported that 52% of the raw materials it purchased in 2025 came from renewable or recycled sources, up from 33% in 2024. The company uses a mass‑balance accounting method, meaning the plastics in each brick are a blend of...
As Asim Munir Pitches Peace, Iran Stops Pakistan's Cargo Ship at Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps halted the Pakistani container ship SELEN in the Strait of Hormuz, citing a lack of clearance and hinting at a possible $2 million transit fee. The incident coincides with Pakistan’s overture to mediate between Iran, the...
AI and Volatility Reshape Airfreight Industry
At the World Cargo Symposium, IATA Director General Willie Walsh and LATAM Cargo CEO Andrés Bianchi warned that geopolitical tensions and shifting trade lanes are compressing air‑freight capacity, which has fallen more than 20% due to regional constraints. Despite this,...
WCAworld Launches China International Logistics Conference
WCAworld announced that its long‑running SINO Conference will be rebranded as the WCAworld China International Logistics event. The 22nd edition returns to Shanghai from 20‑23 June 2026, expanding the audience beyond members to the global logistics community. The change underscores...
Japan Launches Bullet Train for Freight
Japan’s JR East has converted a Shinkansen E3‑2000 series passenger train into a high‑speed freight carrier, removing seats and installing autonomous loading carts. The train completed a 540‑kilometre Tokyo‑Aomori run in 3 hours 15 minutes, traveling up to 275 km/h while hauling 1,000 boxes...
Elemica Expands AI-Driven Capabilities to Transform Customer Onboarding and Order Orchestration
Elemica announced expanded AI-driven capabilities across its supply‑chain execution platform, adding agentic AI to its Launchpad onboarding service and new self‑service onboarding tools. The technology enables companies to onboard customers and order formats without heavy IT or data‑science involvement, reducing...
Signs of Jet Fuel Hoarding Emerge in Asia on Iran Oil Shock
Asian airlines are increasingly hoarding jet fuel as the Iran‑Russia war drives crude prices above $120 per barrel. South Korea’s transport ministry is debating redirecting export‑bound jet fuel to the domestic market, while Philippine Airlines warns of imminent fuel rationing....
EU Launches Trade and Digital Skills Projects to Strengthen the Lobito Corridor
The European Union has committed €11 million (about $12 million) to two development projects along the Lobito Corridor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A €6 million trade‑facilitation programme will streamline customs and regulatory procedures, while a €5 million digital‑skills initiative will train...
Design Contract for the Signalling System on the Wessex Line
AtkinsRéalis has secured a £98 million (≈ $124 million) design‑build contract from Network Rail to upgrade signalling and telecommunications on 43 km of the Wessex Line near Portsmouth over the next three years. The project will deploy the firm’s Advanced Signalling Method – the...
TfN Lays Out Six Priorities for Transpennine Route Upgrade
Transport for the North (TfN) sent a letter to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander warning that the current investment in the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is insufficient for rail freight needs. TfN outlined six priorities, including gauge‑enhancement works costing £55‑£60 million (approximately...
Japan PM Takaichi Asks IEA Chief for Further Oil Stockpile Release
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi asked International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol for an additional coordinated release of oil stockpiles as Tokyo prepares for a potentially prolonged Middle East conflict. The request follows a prior agreement to release 400 million barrels—about 20%...
Middle East Conflict Risks Pushing UK Food Inflation Above 8%, Warns IGD
IGD warns that prolonged Middle East instability could trigger an energy shock that pushes UK food inflation above 8% by June 2026. In its worst‑case scenario, the surge would add roughly $190 to the average household grocery bill, while even...
‘Supermajor’ Hires Flex LNG’s Vessel on Multi-Year Gig
Flex LNG has secured a new time charter for its 2020‑built Flex Aurora LNG carrier with an unnamed supermajor. The agreement guarantees a minimum two‑year firm period and includes optional 2‑year extensions that could stretch the contract to eight years,...
Croatia Unveils Hybrid Train for Zagreb–Split Line
Croatia’s state rail operator HŽPP announced the rollout of six hybrid diesel‑electric multiple units for the Zagreb–Split corridor, funded by a €57.3 million (≈$62 million) European Investment Bank loan. The first unit will enter service in July 2026, with monthly deliveries through...
US Navy Awards $15.3 Contract Modification to GDEB for Columbia and Virginia-Class Subs
The U.S. Navy has approved a $15.38 billion contract modification for General Dynamics Electric Boat to accelerate production and long‑term support of its Columbia‑class ballistic‑missile and Virginia‑class attack submarines through 2035. The funding, drawn mainly from the National Sea‑Based Deterrence Fund,...
Vallourec Scores Five-Contract Win in Indonesia
French tubular solutions maker Vallourec announced a five‑contract win in Indonesia, covering roughly 36,000 tons of premium OCTG products. The orders, signed across February and March, will support about 140 offshore and deep‑water wells. All pipes will be heat‑treated and threaded...
Fashion Supply Startup Thread Factory Raises Pre-Seed Funding Led by AJVC
Thread Factory, a B2B fashion‑supply platform, secured a pre‑seed round of about $180,000, led by AJVC. The funding will boost its technology stack, expand the team, and grow its retailer‑manufacturer network across India. The startup reports an annual recurring revenue...
Kenya’s Flower Industry Loses Millions of Dollars Weekly Due to the Iran War
Kenya’s flower industry is losing up to $1.4 million each week since the Iran war began. The Kenya Flower Council reports over $4.2 million in losses across three weeks, with export volumes dropping by more than half. Freight costs have surged to...
Ukraine Targets Ust-Luga
Ukraine’s armed forces escalated their campaign against Russian energy infrastructure by launching drone strikes on the Baltic Sea port of Ust‑Luga. The attack sparked a large fire and video footage released by the Leningrad region governor shows significant damage to...
Hitachi Rail Is Leveraging AI for Railway Operations and Maintenance
Hitachi Rail announced at NVIDIA’s GTC conference its AI‑driven HMAX for Rail platform, which fuses data from trains, signalling and infrastructure using edge computing on NVIDIA IGX Thor. The suite enables automated onboard functions, predictive maintenance and energy‑consumption reduction, aiming to...
EHub Launches Pack, Inventory, and Orchestrate API to Power the Next Era of Carrier Orchestration
eHub, a leader in carrier orchestration, unveiled three platform upgrades—eHub Pack, eHub Inventory, and the eHub Orchestrate API. Pack adds dynamic cartonization that blends real‑time carrier rates, packaging constraints and shipping rules to select optimal packaging, cutting costs and boosting...
HD Hyundai to Export Know-How in Pivot From Building Ships to Building Shipyards
HD Hyundai announced a strategic shift to commercialize its shipyard expertise, adding digital engineering and manufacturing platforms to its corporate purpose. The company will offer end‑to‑end shipyard construction services and smart‑factory solutions, including AI‑driven design tools, real‑time monitoring, and robotic...
LPG Crisis Sours India's AC Industry; Production Costs Jump, Nuvama Says
India's air‑conditioner makers are confronting a sharp LPG shortage that is disrupting the brazing process essential for unit assembly. To keep lines running, firms have shifted to oxy‑acetylene, a fuel tied to Middle‑East limestone imports, raising exposure to geopolitical volatility....
