Trump Taps Defense Production Act to Address Grid Equipment, Energy Project Bottlenecks
President Donald Trump has invoked the Defense Production Act to accelerate production of critical energy‑infrastructure components, including transformers, substations, pipelines and LNG systems. The White House published the determinations in the Federal Register, authorizing the Department of Energy to apply Section 303 powers to address supply‑chain bottlenecks. The move frames these assets as essential to national defense and seeks to expand domestic capacity through financial and regulatory tools. The DOE has not yet identified specific projects or disclosed funding levels.
The Outside View: Fashion Can’t Afford to Wait on Digital Product Passports
Fashion brands are being warned that the EU’s Digital Product Passport (DPP) will become mandatory for textile goods sold in the European market starting in 2027. The passport requires a QR‑code or NFC tag containing standardized data on materials, origin,...
Peak Technologies, Jacobi Robotics Partner to Deliver Next-Gen Mixed-Case Palletizing Automation
Peak Technologies has partnered with Jacobi Robotics to launch an AI‑driven mixed‑case palletizing solution built around Jacobi’s OmniPalletizer. The turnkey system removes the need for upstream buffering, sorting and sequencing, promising faster deployment and minimal workflow disruption. Leveraging real‑time motion...
Digital Technologies and Cyber Security Are Changing Machine Tool Construction
Zimmermann, a German maker of high‑precision portal milling machines, is embedding cyber resilience, digital twins and artificial intelligence into its tool construction to satisfy the EU Cyber Resilience Act, Machinery Regulation and NIS 2 directives. The firm applies security‑by‑design, segmenting networks...
Why Upgrading Your Truck Fleet Is a Smart Investment
Upgrading to smart trucks delivers measurable gains for logistics firms, with fuel economy rising 12‑15% and maintenance costs falling about 15% thanks to predictive sensors. AI‑driven safety systems cut accident‑related expenses by roughly 19%, while real‑time health monitoring can slash...
Iran War Slows Growth in Services, Manufacturing: S&P Global
S&P Global reports that Iran’s ongoing war has pushed the services purchasing managers index to its weakest three‑month level since early 2024, while output prices surged to a 45‑month high. Manufacturing output grew at the fastest pace in four years,...
NORD Brings Advanced Logistics and TCO-Reducing Solutions to AAAE
NORD DRIVESYSTEMS will exhibit its latest airport logistics technologies at the 98th AAAE Conference in Los Angeles from May 3‑5, 2026. The showcase features the LogiDrive® plug‑and‑play drive system, IE5+ permanent‑magnet synchronous motors, and a range of NORDAC variable‑frequency drives. Additional offerings...
How Officers Manage Bulker Overloading Risks on the Mississippi
Panama Canal draft limits for Neopanamax vessels have risen to 49 ft in August, but remain fluid, forcing Chief Officers at Mississippi River grain terminals to project canal arrival drafts well before departure. Freshwater’s lower density and variable river conditions reduce...
US Department of Energy Unveils “Nuclear Dominance — 3 by 33” Campaign
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy announced the “Nuclear Dominance — 3 by 33” campaign, a ten‑year effort to guarantee a domestic nuclear fuel supply chain by 2033. Leveraging the Defense Production Act, the initiative brings together...
Rare Diesel Cargoes Move From US West Coast to Australia
Three tankers have departed the U.S. West Coast carrying more than 925,000 barrels of ultra‑low sulfur diesel bound for Australia, a route rarely used before the recent Middle East conflict. The volume shipped in the past two months nearly matches...
Humble Emerges With $24M Seed Round
San Francisco‑based startup Humble has emerged from stealth with a fully autonomous, electric Class 8 hauler designed for cost‑efficient freight transport. The company announced a $24 million seed round, led by Eclipse and joined by Energy Impact Partners and other investors. Humble’s...
Used Vehicle Sales Lift Ryder Q1 Results, 2026 Guidance
Ryder System reported a stronger‑than‑expected first quarter, driven by a rebound in used‑vehicle sales and higher rental fleet utilization. Used‑vehicle sales rose 27.8% quarter‑over‑quarter, adding about 1,000 units, while utilization climbed to 68% from 66% a year earlier. The company...
European Energy Watchdog Warns Hitting Natural Gas Storage Targets Could Prove Difficult
The EU has mandated that member states refill natural‑gas storage to about 80% of capacity before winter, a move driven by the Ukraine war and a desire to curb price volatility. The Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER)...
Indie Grocers Say New Grocery Code Is Already Reshaping Supplier Relations
The Canada Grocery Code of Conduct became effective on Jan. 1, 2026, and independent grocers say it is already reshaping supplier relationships. The voluntary code creates a dispute‑resolution framework that treats small retailers the same as large chains, fostering transparency on...
Returns Management Has Become a Core Omnichannel Discipline
Reverse logistics has moved from a peripheral service to a core omnichannel discipline as e‑commerce return rates stay high. Retailers now must manage returns across transportation, labor, inventory, fraud control, and working‑capital dimensions, not just issue refunds. NRF predicts 19.3%...
Why Truckers Should Care About DOL’s Latest Proposal on Joint Employers
The U.S. Department of Labor released a proposed rule redefining joint‑employer status, reviving a framework first introduced under the Trump administration. The rule focuses on vertical relationships—relevant to trucking firms that contract with fleet operators—and outlines four non‑hierarchical factors (hiring/firing,...
Port Authority and Skyports Drone Services to Commence Yearlong Cargo Drone Trial Flights Between Manhattan and Brooklyn
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and UK‑based Skyports will launch a 12‑month cargo‑drone trial on April 27, flying small uncrewed aircraft between Downtown Manhattan and the Brooklyn Marine Terminal on weekdays. The FAA‑approved flights will transport light, non‑hazardous...
Supply Chain Market Update: April
ITS Logistics’ April 2026 market update shows the Logistics Managers’ Index climbing to 65.7, the strongest level since May 2022, as overall logistics activity accelerates. Warehouse capacity slipped to 46.0, moving from neutral to contraction, while warehousing prices rose to...
Podcast: From the Shipper’s Seat—What Energy Companies Expect From Marine Operators
Marine Log’s Listen Up! podcast features Mitch Melton, OpenTug’s head of business development and former Exxon shipper, discussing what energy companies expect from marine operators. He highlights a growing demand for real‑time visibility, digital coordination, and predictive analytics in offshore...
Truck Parking Club Surpasses 5,000 Locations Nationwide
Truck Parking Club announced it now offers more than 5,000 parking locations across 49 states, a jump from 4,000 in just 81 days. Founded in late 2022, the Chattanooga‑based platform now provides over 80,000 reservable spaces and serves drivers from...
UPS Adds Temporary Surge Fee to US Imports, Exports
UPS introduced a temporary "Surge Emergency Fee" on April 19, imposing a $0.23 per‑pound surcharge on most U.S. import and export shipments and a $0.32 per‑pound rate for China and Hong Kong lanes. The fee spans seven core services, from Worldwide...
Sam’s Club Delivers in Less than 12 Minutes
Sam’s Club has launched an Express tier that guarantees delivery in under one hour, joining Amazon and Walmart in the ultra‑fast fulfillment race. The service carries a flat $10 fee for Plus members and $22 for Club members, with a...
What Is Voice of the Customer in TMS? How It Improves Visibility, Cost Control, and Logistics Performance
Infios embeds Voice of the Customer (VOC) into its Transportation Management System, turning client feedback into a continuous product‑development engine. By using a dedicated portal, voting mechanisms, and Customer Success teams, the company translates real‑world operational challenges into roadmap priorities....
Fibox Appoints CEO for Its Enclosures Business
Finnish enclosure maker Fibox announced a new leadership structure to drive its next phase of international growth. Former Schneider Electric executive Markus Hettig has been appointed CEO of the enclosures business, while finance veteran Pasi Niittymäki becomes CFO and Wago...
Stakeholders Urge Congress to Improve EPA’s Strict Critical Minerals Regulations
Witnesses told a House environmental subcommittee that EPA’s strict critical‑minerals rules under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) are creating costly delays for manufacturers and recyclers. Redwood Materials highlighted how a modest...
Rerouted Middle East Hazmat Containers Spark Safety Concerns at Indian Ports
A leading European liner is holding roughly 600 TEUs of hazardous cargo at India’s Nhava Sheva port after trade routes to the Middle East were diverted. The containers were rerouted because carriers cannot discharge them quickly at UAE ports Khor Fakkan,...
Stellantis Weighs Sale or Sharing of European Plants – Report
Stellantis is evaluating the sale or shared use of several European manufacturing plants to address lingering overcapacity. The company has opened talks with potential buyers, including Chinese automaker Dongfeng Motor, which recently inspected sites in France, Spain, Italy and Germany....
SpaceX May Build Its Own GPUs to Reduce Chip Supply Risks
SpaceX disclosed in its S‑1 filing that it may manufacture its own GPUs to mitigate chip supply constraints and rising compute costs. The proposal is listed as a substantial capital expenditure and ties into the Terafab complex, a joint venture...
Losses Narrow at Heartland Express as Market Shifts
Heartland Express reported a first‑quarter net loss of $4.8 million, or 6 cents per share, marking a narrowing from the prior year. The carrier’s adjusted operating ratio improved to 101.3%, a 580‑basis‑point gain year‑over‑year and better than the fourth‑quarter. Revenue slipped 20%...
Manufacturing Activity Continues to Soar: 2 Mutual Funds to Buy
U.S. manufacturing activity accelerated in March, posting an ISM PMI of 52.7 – the strongest reading since August 2022 and the third consecutive month above the 50 expansion threshold. The rise was driven by robust demand and longer supplier delivery...
Exception Management Is Emerging as the New Supply Chain Control Layer
Supply chain leaders are moving beyond traditional control‑tower visibility toward an exception‑management layer that detects, prioritizes, routes, and resolves disruptions before they cascade. While enterprises now enjoy granular shipment and inventory data, the real challenge is discerning which variances merit...
Wheatstone LNG Resumes Full Production, Adding Supplies to Market Rattled by Iran War
Wheatstone LNG announced it has returned to full‑production levels, restoring its 7.5 mtpa output to the global market. The restart comes as the LNG sector grapples with supply disruptions linked to the Iran‑U.S. naval standoff in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian...
BIMCO Warns Hormuz Reopening Hinges on Mine Clearance as Trump Orders Sweep Surge
The Baltic and International Maritime Council warned that a meaningful reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will require weeks of dedicated mine‑clearing operations, noting that restricted corridors and dual U.S.–Iran enforcement actions still limit commercial traffic. President Donald Trump amplified...
ATA Truck Tonnage Continues to Show Signs of Turnaround
The American Trucking Associations reported its For‑Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 0.3% sequentially to 117 and posted a 3% year‑over‑year gain in March, the strongest YoY increase since October 2022. The first quarter of 2026 delivered the best quarterly performance since...
Pax Silica
The United States has launched the Pax Silica coalition, a 12‑nation alliance aimed at building a resilient silicon supply chain from raw minerals to AI infrastructure. A pilot Economic Security Zone covering 1,618 hectares in Clark New City, Philippines, will serve...
Beyond the Forecast: Navigating Global Volatility with Weather Intelligence
Weather has become a strategic variable for global supply chains, agriculture and shipping, driving billions in lost revenue when forecasts go awry. Cargill Ocean Transport is pairing wind‑assisted vessel retrofits and AI‑powered emissions tracking to turn weather data into fuel...
Dutch Startup Resilicon Granted NZIA Support for New European Polysilicon Plant
Dutch startup Resilicon has secured Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) strategic‑project status for a 13 GW polysilicon plant in Groningen, Netherlands. The EU designation promises streamlined permitting, rapid administrative treatment and access to financing advice. The facility will be powered entirely...
New ATEX EasySwitch Wet-Dry Vac for Industrial Cleanup in Explosive Environments
EXAIR introduced the ATEX EasySwitch® Wet‑Dry Vac, a pneumatic vacuum system designed for explosive‑atmosphere environments. The unit meets ATEX Zone 1 and 2 certifications, eliminating electrical ignition sources while handling both wet and dry materials. A simple latch lets operators switch between...
Havis Expands Rugged Mobility Solutions with New Docking Stations for Getac G140 Tablet
Havis announced a new rugged docking station engineered for the Getac G140 tablet, targeting public‑sector, enterprise‑fleet, and industrial users. The dock features standard port replication, an optional quad pass‑thru antenna, and a spring‑loaded connector that sustains connectivity under heavy vibration....
Leading Carbon Credit Registries Expand Into Supply-Chain Decarbonization
Two leading carbon‑credit registries, Isometric and Verra, are broadening their scopes to issue environmental attribute credits (EACs) that capture supply‑chain emissions reductions. Isometric will create a standard for low‑carbon steel and cement, while Verra targets a Q3 2024 launch of...
Costco and the Discipline Behind Retail Supply Chains
Costco’s supply chain strength stems from a disciplined, low‑assortment model that leverages high volume to secure purchasing power and streamline replenishment. By limiting SKUs, the retailer reduces handling complexity, accelerates inventory turns, and keeps costs tightly controlled. Private‑label products deepen...
From +19% to -37%: Middle East Drives Sharp Reversal in Global Air Cargo Demand
Global air cargo growth slowed in early 2026 as the Middle East conflict caused a 3% decline in volumes from March, with the region plunging 37% after a 19% rise earlier in the year. Worldwide chargeable weight grew 8% in...
Antwerp-Bruges Q1 Container Volumes Dip on Poor Weather, Labor Unrest
Antwerp‑Bruges handled 3.4 million TEUs in Q1 2026, edging out Rotterdam despite a 2.6% year‑on‑year decline. The drop stemmed from severe weather and a four‑day labor strike that shaved roughly 100,000 TEUs, or 1.1 million tons, from throughput. Container tonnage fell 5.5%...
KNDS Opens New Boxer Vehicle Production Line at Munich Site
KNDS has launched a new production line at its Munich‑Allach facility, capable of assembling ten Boxer 8×8 drive modules each month. The company signed a memorandum of understanding with Dräxlmaier Group to produce mission modules at the latter’s Landau plant,...
'Made in Europe' Law Should Be Limited to Geographically Close Countries, Leading MEP Says
The European Parliament’s Industrial Accelerator Act proposes a “Made in Europe” preference for public procurement in strategic sectors such as clean‑tech, automotive, aluminium and steel. French MEP Christophe Grudler argues the rule should apply only to geographically close non‑EU partners...
Only One European Company in Global EMS Top 30
The latest in4ma and EMSNOW ranking shows that only one European firm, Germany’s Zollner Elektronik, made the global EMS/ODM Top 30, while Asian companies dominate more than half of the list. The Top 100 providers generate about $820 billion, representing 84% of the...
Golden Pass Ships First LNG Cargo, Launching Major New U.S. Export Supply
Golden Pass LNG, a QatarEnergy‑ExxonMobil joint venture, shipped its first export cargo from Sabine Pass, Texas, marking the transition from commissioning to commercial trade. The three‑train terminal aims to export about 18 million tonnes per annum, positioning it among North America’s...
Ethiopian Adds Hong Kong-Prestwick E-Commerce Freighter Flights
Ethiopian Airlines has begun scheduled freighter flights between Hong Kong International Airport and Glasgow Prestwick, operating three times a week. The service supports the surge in e‑commerce shipments, complementing Prestwick’s recent upgrade that saw Terminal E handle 25 million parcels in February. The...
HPH Trust Announces Launch of Hong Kong’s First Autonomous Truck Fleet
Hutchison Port Holdings Trust (HPH Trust) has launched Hong Kong’s first autonomous, zero‑emission truck fleet to move containers across its terminals. The AI‑powered trucks are built without driver cabs and can run in a mixed‑traffic “true” mode alongside conventional vehicles,...
United Airlines to Impose ‘Market Disruption’ Surcharge on Cargo
United Airlines will impose a region‑specific “market disruption fee” on cargo shipments starting May 1, aimed at offsetting sharply higher jet fuel costs and other operating expenses tied to the Iran‑Israel conflict. Jet fuel prices have nearly doubled since late February,...