60 Minutes Catches Up to America’s Shipbuilding Crisis Long Flagged by Maritime Industry
A 60 Minutes segment highlighted the widening gap between U.S. shipyards and Asian rivals, underscoring a long‑standing shipbuilding crisis. South Korean conglomerate Hanwha announced up to $5 billion to expand Philadelphia’s Philly Shipyard, aiming to boost annual output from under two vessels to as many as twenty. The report noted U.S. construction takes twice as long and costs up to five times more than in China or South Korea, a disparity worsened by tariffs, labor shortages, and the Jones Act. Policymakers are now pushing broader maritime reforms, but experts warn that rebuilding only shipyards will not restore global maritime power.
Focusing on Human-Centered Innovation: A Conversation with Karli Sage
Karli Sage, VP of Supply Chain Management, Technology and Engineering at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, is championing "human‑centered innovation" by deploying warehouse automation, drones, collaborative robots, and decision‑intelligence software that serve employees first. She emphasizes that technology should simplify...
CDER’s Framework for Regulatory Advanced Manufacturing Evaluation (FRAME) Initiative
The FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) launched the Framework for Regulatory Advanced Manufacturing Evaluation (FRAME) to create a regulatory pathway for emerging manufacturing technologies. FRAME focuses on four priority technologies—end‑to‑end continuous manufacturing, distributed manufacturing (including non‑traditional sites),...
Caterpillar and Fortescue Extend Command for Hauling Agreement for Western Australia Mines
Caterpillar has renewed its MineStar Command agreement with Fortescue’s Chichester Metals and FMG Solomon to supply and operate autonomous haulage software at three Western Australian mines. The extension continues a decade‑long deployment that began in 2012, reinforcing safety, reliability and...
For CSX, Drones Are An Important Item In The Toolbox
CSX has turned drones from a proof‑of‑concept into an enterprise‑wide asset, now operating over 250 unmanned aircraft across its rail network. More than 350 employees hold FAA Part 107 certifications, enabling eight departments to leverage aerial data for inspections, mapping and...
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Exel Composites announced that its Erlanger, Kentucky factory has earned ISO 14001 certification, confirming a robust environmental management system. The certification validates the plant’s waste‑reduction, energy‑efficiency and chemical‑use initiatives and embeds the Plan‑Do‑Check‑Act (PDCA) cycle into daily operations. It aligns the...
Source Logistics Selects IFS Softeon WMS, Supported by Alpine Supply Chain Solutions, to Accelerate Rapid Nationwide Expansion
Source Logistics, a fast‑growing 3PL with 25 warehouses and over 5.8 million square feet of FDA‑ and SQF‑compliant space, has selected IFS Softeon’s warehouse management system to power its nationwide expansion. The Softeon platform offers multi‑tenant architecture, strong API integration and...
Cathay Expands European Trucking Operations with Wallenborn Agreement
Cathay Cargo announced a strategic partnership with Wallenborn Transport to broaden its European trucking footprint. The agreement adds live shipment tracking and real‑time temperature monitoring, giving shippers greater visibility and control. Wallenborn operates 17 bases across 13 countries, linking more...
CPUC Backs Renewable Natural Gas Contract From Anaergia Facility
The California Public Utilities Commission has conditionally approved Anaergia’s SoCal Biomethane facility as the first renewable natural gas (RNG) supplier under Senate Bill 1440. The project co‑digests organic waste and municipal wastewater, converting up to 104,000 tons of waste per year...
India in Talks with Global Partners for Safe Passage for Vessels Carrying Essential Commodities via Strait of Hormuz: PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Parliament that India is actively negotiating with global partners to guarantee safe passage for vessels carrying oil, gas, fertilizers and other essential commodities through the Strait of Hormuz. The government is expanding its strategic petroleum...
Supertanker’s Signals Show It Crossed Hormuz From Iraq
A Bloomberg‑tracked oil supertanker, the Omega Trader, has successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first observed movement of Iraqi crude through the waterway since it was effectively closed at the start of the war. Managed by Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines,...
Preventive Maintenance Called a Difference-Maker in Industrial, Logistics Markets
Preventive maintenance is emerging as a competitive differentiator in the industrial real‑estate sector, according to Greek Real Estate Partners managing 23 million square feet. As post‑pandemic Class A warehouses enter their first major upkeep cycle, owners are shifting from reactive “fix fast”...
African Bunkering Hubs Gain as Ships Reroute Around the Cape
War in the Middle East and Houthi attacks have forced carriers to avoid the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, prompting a surge of vessels rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope. This shift has dramatically increased demand for ship‑refuelling...
Guatemala: Connecting The Oceans
Guatemala is advancing a $7 billion private "dry canal" called the Guatemalan Interoceanic Corridor (GIC), a 372‑kilometer land route linking a new Pacific port at San Luis with the Caribbean port of San Jorge. The project, backed by the Guatemalan Interoceanic...
New B2B Marketplaces Target Construction, Equipment and Data Center Sourcing
During Q1 2026, a wave of B2B marketplaces entered the U.S. targeting construction materials, equipment rental, and data‑center infrastructure. Platforms such as MatBook, DOZR, Kwipped and Start Campus Marketplace aim to replace phone‑calls and spreadsheets with real‑time pricing, inventory visibility, and...
ATC Manufacturing, U.S. Air Force Contract Grows Larger-Scale, High-Rate TPC Capabilities
ATC Manufacturing secured a U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory contract to develop a large‑format hydraulic press capable of high‑rate thermoplastic composite (TPC) processing for parts up to 10 ft × 5 ft. The program, partnered with Anduril Industries and Toray Advanced Composites, aims to...
DEEP Manufacturing Accelerates Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing Expansion in U.S.
DEEP Manufacturing will launch a 50,000‑sq‑ft wire‑arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) facility in Houston, Texas, in May—one year ahead of schedule. The plant will start with four WAAM platforms capable of printing carbon steel, nickel‑based alloys and Inconel 625, and will expand...
Parcelhero Launches Market-Leading Live Tracking and Streamlined Booking Features
Parcelhero, the UK’s leading courier comparison platform, has rolled out the first phase of a major technology upgrade featuring AI‑powered live tracking and what it claims is the industry’s fastest booking interface. The new system automatically flags customs issues, pre‑fills...
NorthStandard Backs Crew Nudges to Cut Ship Emissions
NorthStandard has teamed with Signol to roll out a behavioural‑science‑driven nudging platform that encourages seafarers to adopt fuel‑saving actions. The insurer will subsidise Signol’s SaaS subscription for its members, while Signol covers onboarding costs. By delivering weekly, personalised prompts and...
Ceva Logistics to Offer Maritime Transport for End-of-Life Batteries
Ceva Logistics, a French logistics firm within the CMA CGM Group, has launched a maritime service to ship used lithium‑ion EV batteries from island regions to continental Europe. The solution uses five specially adapted containers with a combined capacity of 30 tonnes,...
Not All Maintenance Violations Are the Same
The piece separates vehicle‑maintenance violations into two distinct buckets—driver‑detectable issues found during pre‑trip checks and systemic maintenance failures that only a proper preventive‑maintenance program can catch. Driver‑detectable problems such as burnt‑out lights, low tire pressure, or missing mirrors demand better...
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Logistics: What It Means and How Businesses Use It
Logistics is the systematic coordination of acquiring, storing, and transporting resources to their final destination, a practice that originated in the military and now underpins modern supply chains. Efficient logistics reduces costs, accelerates delivery, and creates a competitive edge, especially...
Damen Delivers ASD Tug En Avant 19 to Muller Dordrecht
Damen Shipyards delivered the ASD Tug 2811, named En Avant 19, to Dutch operator Muller Dordrecht. Built in Vietnam and shipped to Rotterdam, the 28.57‑meter vessel offers 65 tonnes of bollard pull and can operate both offshore and inland. It features...
Freihandel: Mercosur-Abkommen Kann Ab Mai Angewendet Werden
The European Union and the South American trade bloc Mercosur will provisionally apply their free‑trade agreement starting 1 May 2026, ahead of full ratification. This provisional rollout grants German and other EU firms immediate access to reduced tariffs on a wide range...
CORP Launches Oregon Transload Facility
G&W's Choice Terminals announced the opening of the Dillard transload facility for its Central Oregon and Pacific (CORP) railroad. The site can handle five railcars at once, features a 20‑car storage track and a small warehouse for just‑in‑time truck deliveries,...
Cebu Pacific Scales Back Int’l Flights as MidEast War Lifts Fuel Costs
Cebu Pacific announced a temporary scaling back of its international network as the Middle East conflict drives jet‑fuel prices to more than double 2025 levels. The airline will suspend Davao‑Bangkok, Iloilo‑Bangkok, Iloilo‑Singapore and Clark‑Hanoi routes through October and trim frequencies...
Air Cargo Rates Surge Amid Middle East Conflict as Capacity Tightens and Fuel Costs Rise
Air cargo spot rates jumped 10% week‑on‑week to $2.67 per kilo as the Middle East conflict squeezes capacity and lifts jet‑fuel costs. Rates from the Middle East and South Asia surged 22% to $4.37 per kilo, outpacing a 12% global...
Ethiopia’s Bishoftu Mega Airport Secures Fresh Financing Momentum
Ethiopia’s Bishoftu International Airport, a $12.5 billion megaproject designed for up to 110 million passengers a year, is moving from planning to construction with a target completion around 2030. Italy has entered financing discussions, signaling European confidence and adding a new layer...
Kyrgyzstan Hopes to Connect CKU Line to Broader Rail Network, Middle Corridor
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov announced that the China‑Kyrgyzstan‑Uzbekistan (CKU) railway will be completed by 2030, linking Kashgar in China to Andijon in Uzbekistan through Kyrgyzstan. The line will integrate with Kyrgyzstan’s existing rail network around Issyk‑Kul and connect to Kazakhstan,...
STB Sets 2Q26 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) approved the Association of American Railroads' Rail Cost Adjustment Factor (RCAF) figures for the second quarter of 2026. The unadjusted RCAF rose to 1.016, a 0.1% increase from Q1, while the adjusted RCAF slipped to...
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re Reading About Iran War’s Impact on Pharma Supply Chain, a Pfizer Lyme Vaccine, and More
The ongoing Iran‑Israel conflict has not yet crippled global pharmaceutical supply chains, but it threatens the modest 0.3% of worldwide drug output and 0.6% of active‑pharmaceutical‑ingredient (API) production that originates in the region. Disruptions to key shipping lanes, especially the...
Jabil Announces $1.1M Multi-Year Donation to St. Petersburg College to Strengthen Local Manufacturing Talent Pipeline
Jabil announced a $1.1 million donation over three years to St. Petersburg College, aimed at expanding advanced manufacturing training. The funds will support new lab equipment, curriculum development, and scholarships for soldering and mechatronics certifications. Jabil engineers will work with faculty to...
New Cognex Research Reveals Manufacturers Increasingly Expect AI Vision Systems to Deliver Both High Performance and Simplicity
Cognex’s new study of more than 500 manufacturers shows 57% already use AI‑powered machine‑vision, with another 30% planning near‑term deployments. Adoption is strongest in automotive, electronics and logistics, where tighter tolerances demand higher accuracy. While initial drivers focus on defect...
5-Year Waits and Rising Costs: How Demand Is Redefining the Gas Turbine Market
Global gas turbine lead times have stretched to five years for large units and up to three years for smaller models, while prices have surged nearly 50% to about $3,000 per kilowatt. Demand is exploding, with 2025 orders projected at...
Who Really Controls the World’s Food? The Superpowers Shaping Supply
Geopolitical tensions and climate shocks are reshaping the global food system, concentrating power in a handful of exporters. The United States remains the backbone of corn and soybean supplies, while Brazil has overtaken it in soy and dominates sugar, coffee...
Recall Liability: Who Should Be Held Responsible?
The recent ByHeart infant formula recall exposed severe supply‑chain communication breakdowns, allowing contaminated product to remain on store shelves and endangering 48 infants. While the manufacturer originated the contamination, distributors and retailers that continued shipping the product faced liability, highlighting...
Local Innovation Largely Reduces Average Truck Waiting Times at WFS’ Milan Malpensa Cargo Terminal
Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) has cut average truck processing time at Milan Malpensa’s cargo terminal to 48 minutes by deploying an SMS‑based door‑assignment system. The airport, handling about 65% of Italy’s airfreight, sees roughly 28,000 trucks annually, with 45% now...
Rail Shippers Raise Concerns About Middle East Conflict (UPDATED 3/23)
The Fertilizer Institute and the Alliance for Chemical Distribution have each written to the Surface Transportation Board urging Class I railroads to prioritize fertilizer shipments and to scrutinize any conflict‑related surcharges. The letters cite the closure of the Strait of...
Video: Expectations for Air Cargo Demand in 2026
At the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Lima, executives forecast that air cargo volumes will keep expanding in 2026 despite ongoing market volatility. LATAM Cargo reported moving over one million tonnes in 2025, generating $1.7 billion in revenue, underscoring the sector’s...
Sen. Warren Questions DOD About Anthropic Blacklist that 'Appears to Be Retaliation'
Senator Elizabeth Warren has demanded answers from the Department of Defense after it labeled AI startup Anthropic a “supply chain risk,” a move she says appears retaliatory amid the ongoing Iran war. The DOD continues to use Anthropic’s Claude model...
Oil Price Spikes Hit Hardest in Low-Margin Industries
Oil prices have surged as the Strait of Hormuz closure removes roughly 20% of global supply, double the impact of the 2022 Russia‑Ukraine war. In the week of March 9, U.S. diesel jumped $0.96 per gallon to $4.86, marking the largest...
Why Follow-the-Sun Transportation Financial Management Is Critical for Global Ocean Shipping
Global ocean shipping operates continuously, yet many shippers still manage freight financials from a single regional hub, creating costly delays. Complexities such as multi‑currency billing, port surcharges, and demurrage amplify the need for real‑time oversight. Follow‑the‑sun transportation financial management distributes...
West Asia Conflict Triggers Industrial Strain in Gujarat as Textile Mills Cut Operations
Escalating crude oil prices and supply‑chain disruptions from the West Asia conflict have forced Surat’s textile mills to curtail operations, instituting two‑day weekly shutdowns. Rising costs of yarn, coal and energy have left mills with only 10‑20 days of coal...
Amplio's CEO on Closing the Loop in Industrial Supply Chains With AI
U.S. manufacturers sit on roughly $350 billion of unused equipment, spare parts and MRO inventory each year, much of which ends up scrapped or landfilled. Amplio, founded by Trey Closson and Taha Zinifi, pivoted from risk‑monitoring software to an AI‑driven platform...
How Regular Oil Deliveries Help Irish Kitchens Run More Efficiently
Regular, scheduled bulk oil deliveries are transforming Irish hospitality kitchens by eliminating fryer downtime, cutting oil costs up to 30 % and improving food quality. Suppliers such as Frylite Solutions coordinate weekly or just‑in‑time drops that keep fryers running during peak...
Dubai Airport Bounces Back Despite Middle East Turmoil
Dubai International and Al Maktoum airports demonstrated operational resilience amid recent Middle East airspace disruptions, dynamically opening and closing corridors in coordination with the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority. The airports processed over one million passengers in a 17‑day window...
Is Indonesia’s Special Economic Zone Strategy Starting to Bear Fruit?
Indonesia’s special economic zone (SEZ) program has expanded to 25 operational zones with seven more under construction, attracting roughly $19.7 bn in cumulative investment and creating about 248,000 jobs by the end of 2025. Early zones like Sei Mangkei and Gresik...
3Deus Dynamics Obtains EN 9100, Entering Aerospace and Defense Supply Chain
3Deus Dynamics, a deep‑tech firm founded in 2020, has earned ISO 9001 and the demanding EN 9100 aerospace certification, complementing its 2023 ISO 13485 medical accreditation. The company’s high‑performance silicone portfolio includes fire‑resistant seals that survive 1,200 °C kerosene flames and EMI‑shielding components attenuating...
Global Economy Under ‘Major Threat’ From Strait of Hormuz Crisis: IEA Chief
International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol warned that the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis poses a "major threat" to the global economy. The US‑Iran confrontation has nearly halted traffic through the waterway, which carries about 20% of world oil and...
How to Avoid EU Arms Spending Spree Being Lost to Corruption and Bribery?
Europe is preparing to spend billions of euros (≈ $1.1 billion per €) on defence through programmes such as SAFE, EDIRPA and the European Defence Fund. Existing procurement rules were built for a low‑budget era and now lag behind the rapid,...
