Emulation: Reduce Project Risk and Increase Certainty in Outcome
Polytron’s PolySim sm offers manufacturers a digital‑twin emulation platform that runs real PLC code in a virtual environment, enabling “test‑drives” of production lines before hardware installation. Unlike traditional simulation, emulation validates control logic in real‑time, allowing engineers to troubleshoot, optimize line layouts, and train staff without wasting material or causing downtime. The technology claims up to 95% of debugging and verification can be completed prior to site installation, shortening startup periods and reducing investment risk. PolySim sm positions itself as a strategic risk‑mitigation tool for complex manufacturing upgrades and new line launches.
DB Cargo UK Names Class 66 Locomotive After Plasmor Founder Antony Slater
DB Cargo UK has named its Class 66 locomotive 66186 after the late Plasmor founder Antony Slater, marking a renewed five‑year rail freight contract. The agreement, extending to the end of 2031, will see up to six weekly trains linking Plasmor’s Great Heck...
The Future of Procurement Technology: A Webinar on the 50/50, Hall of Fame and Future 5 Lists
The Hackett Group’s Solution Intelligence team will host a webinar on April 15 to unveil its 2025‑2026 Procurement Technology Recognition Lists. The lists—50 to Watch, 50 to Know, Future 5 and Hall of Fame—cover 117 vendors selected from an evaluation of roughly...
US-Iran War Crimp LPG Supply, Hit Borosil’s Glass Production at Jaipur
Escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran have disrupted LPG shipments to India, prompting Oil Marketing Companies to issue a force‑majeure notice. Borosil Ltd, a major glass maker in Jaipur, said the shortage forced a temporary shutdown of...
IATA WCS: Lufthansa Cargo Becomes Launch Customer for Jettainer’s New IoT ULD Tracking Solution
Lufthansa Cargo has become the launch customer for Jettainer’s new Internet‑of‑Things (IoT) unit‑load device (ULD) tracking solution, with implementation already underway across its entire fleet. The system merges stationary and mobile readers to deliver continuous, real‑time visibility of ULD movements,...
Contract to Improve the Operation of the Zaragoza Railway Network
Adif awarded a €41 million contract to modernise traffic‑management systems on the Zaragoza railway network, focusing on the Embid de la Ribera section of the Madrid‑Zaragoza‑Barcelona Iberian‑gauge line. The project upgrades electronic centralisation facilities, control, signalling and telecommunications across multiple stations,...
Maintenance of Railway Lines in the Czech Republic, Costs Reduced by 33%
Správa železnic, the Czech railway infrastructure manager, announced that recent tenders have cut maintenance costs by up to 33%, delivering more than €13.8 million in savings. The biggest reduction occurs on the Vsetín‑Horní Lidč line, where the bid fell from €23.4 million to...
Data of the Week: Portugal Limits Track Access Charges Increase for Freight
Portugal’s transport regulator has trimmed the freight track access charge increase for 2025 from a projected 21.25% to 2.4%, raising the average fee to €1.47 per kilometre. The amendment also sets a 12.33% compound annual growth rate for 2026‑2028, with...
AOC Announces Price Increase Due to Middle East Crisis Impacts
AOC, the Swiss‑based supplier of specialty formulations, announced price increases of up to €450 (US $521.83) per tonne for its unsaturated polyester, vinyl‑ester and Neoxil® products. The hikes affect customers in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India and will take...
New Mechanisms for Solidarity Lanes
On March 6, the European Commission, Romania, Moldova and Ukraine reconfirmed their commitment to the Solidarity Lanes that keep Ukraine’s export‑import lifelines open. The partners pledged to advance the Danube Action Plan 2.0, boosting safe navigation, port coordination and rapid response on...
5 Questions for Rail Baltica’s Freight Future
Rail Baltica’s first phase, a €15.3 billion standard‑gauge corridor linking Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to Poland, is slated for completion by 2030. The project aims to move up to 9.2 million tonnes of freight annually by 2046, with bulk cargo dominating the...
How to Protect Food Supply Chains in Conflict Zones
Recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran have closed the Strait of Hormuz, driving up fertilizer and transport costs and threatening food logistics. Energy‑intensive supply chains face price spikes while key shipping lanes become bottlenecks, echoing disruptions from Ukraine and...
How Blockchain Revolutionizes the Mods Supply Chain
Blockchain is being deployed across the disposable‑vape supply chain to create an immutable record of every transaction, from raw‑material sourcing to final sale. The technology promises real‑time traceability, anti‑counterfeit verification, and automated quality‑control data that satisfy tightening global regulations. Smart...
Pulsar International Board to Consider Venture Into Precision Farming
Pulsar International’s board will review a proposal to extend its Smart Agri Solution into AI‑driven Internet of Things (IoT) precision farming. The plan calls for integrating AI analytics, IoT sensors and drones to fine‑tune fertilizer, water and other inputs while...
AI Agents and a Real-Life Business Use Case
Procurement leaders are moving beyond reactive chatbots to deploy autonomous AI agents that execute end‑to‑end tasks. A leading media‑telecom firm rolled out four agents—contract analysis, deal memo drafting, an Ask‑Me‑Anything guide, and supplier‑insights—within 18 months. These agents automate contract review,...
Grimaldi Euromed and FS Logistix Join Forces for Sea-Rail Links
Grimaldi Euromed and state‑owned FS Logistix signed a memorandum of understanding to launch sea‑rail connections, initially linking the Adriatic ports of Ancona and Venice with intermodal terminals across Italy and Europe. The partnership will use Grimaldi’s short‑sea Ro‑Ro network and...
EPMB Launches Local Assembly of MG S5 BEV in Malaysia
SAIC Motor’s MG brand has begun local assembly of the S5 battery‑electric vehicle in Malaysia through a partnership with EP Manufacturing Bhd (EPMB). The Alor Gajah plant will assemble up to 2,000 units this year from imported CKD kits, leveraging...
Shaping the Industry’s Next Transformation
Air cargo has shifted from a supplemental service to a core component of global trade, with airlines treating freight as a strategic business unit. Industry veterans stress that long‑term success hinges on trusted partnerships, disciplined operations, and policy alignment rather...
Southeast Asia and the Middle East Energy Shock
U.S. strikes on Iran have prompted Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE to suspend oil and gas operations and deter tankers from the Strait of Hormuz, sharply curtailing Middle East energy exports. The disruption threatens $208 billion in crude shipments—about 21%...
Fragrant Flower Lei, Synonymous with Hawaii, Face Competition From Cheaper Imports
Hawaii’s iconic purple lei are largely composed of odorless orchids cultivated in Thailand rather than locally grown blooms. State lawmakers have introduced bills that would require labeling and a minimum percentage of Hawaii‑grown flowers for lei purchased by government agencies,...
‘The Focus Is on Strengthening Foundations, Not Adding Complexity’: Rodney Manzo
Sage’s State of Supply Chain Report reveals that many mid‑market firms lack real‑time visibility, leaving them vulnerable to costly disruptions. Senior Director Rodney Manzo emphasizes that first‑mile visibility and fully connected ERP systems boost teams’ confidence in handling 2026‑era supply...
Continental Tyres Chosen by All Top 10 EMEA EV Makers
Continental announced that its original‑equipment tyres equipped all ten of the highest‑volume electric‑vehicle manufacturers in the EMEA region for 2025, extending its reach to 17 of the top 20 global EV makers. The company credits early investment in low rolling...
Bridging Machining Simulation and Fatigue Analysis
MISUTECH and Hottinger Brüel & Kjær have linked MISULAB machining simulation with nCode DesignLife fatigue analysis, enabling three‑dimensional residual‑stress predictions to flow directly into fatigue life calculations. The integrated workflow lets engineers evaluate machining strategies virtually, reducing reliance on costly physical testing. A case...
EChem Expo 2026 Releases Full Conference Program
eChem Expo 2026 has released its full two‑day program, scheduled for April 8‑9 at the MeadowView Resort in Kingsport, Tennessee. The agenda features eight focused technical tracks—from Capital Effectiveness and Operational Excellence to Industrial AI and Workforce Development—delivering over 20 hours of...
Indian Edible Oil Buyers Move to Secure Prompt Shipments as Prices Surge
Indian edible‑oil buyers are accelerating shipments as vegetable‑oil prices and freight rates surge, fearing delays from the Middle East conflict. India, the world’s largest importer, is curbing fresh purchases of soy and sunflower oil, which could temper further price spikes...
Visy Launches New Tasmanian Packaging Hub for Food and Farming Sectors
Visy has inaugurated an 8,500‑square‑metre packaging hub in Devonport, Tasmania, to supply cardboard solutions to the state’s food, beverage and agricultural producers. The facility, opened by Minister Julie Collins, aims to bolster local manufacturing capacity and create jobs within an...
DroneShield Launches EU Manufacturing Line to Scale Counter-UAS Systems
DroneShield has opened its first European Union manufacturing line to produce counter‑UAS systems, with deliveries slated for mid‑2026. The move partners with an established EU contract manufacturer to handle turnkey assembly, PCB production, precision machining and testing. It aligns with...
Slow Widebody Freighter Manufacturing Supply Chains Hamper Capacity
Widebody freighter capacity remains constrained in 2026 as manufacturers grapple with lingering supply‑chain disruptions. IATA’s director general Willie Walsh warned that OEMs are still struggling to stabilize production, pushing the Boeing 777‑8F launch to 2028 and delaying Airbus’s A350F entry...
SCG Halts Olefins Unit Following Hormuz Disruption
Siam Cement Group (SCG) has temporarily shut its Rayong olefins plant after the Strait of Hormuz closure disrupted shipments of naphtha and propane, essential feedstocks. The subsidiary Rayong Olefins declared force majeure, estimating a cost hit of about 150 million baht...
Air Cargo Cushioned Tariff Shocks and Powered Trade Growth in 2025
IATA’s 2025 World Cargo Symposium report finds air freight was pivotal in cushioning severe trade‑policy shocks, enabling $157 bn of front‑loaded U.S. imports in Q1. By accelerating shipments and opening new lanes, air cargo helped global trade expand 2.4%, pushing global...
Gulf War III Is a Warning About the Effects of a ‘Taiwan Straits War I’
The article warns that the economic shock from the Israel‑U.S. attack on Iran—dubbed Gulf War III—exposes how fragile global trade is when shipping routes are disrupted. It argues that a military move against Taiwan would create a similar, if not larger,...
Cisco Survey: Infrastructure Gaps Stall AI Adoption in Manufacturing
Cisco’s 2026 State of Industrial AI report, based on 350+ manufacturing leaders across 19 countries, reveals that infrastructure shortfalls are throttling AI rollout in factories. While 96% view reliable wireless connectivity as essential, 56% cite frequent outages that disrupt operations....
Two Things You Can Control Right Now When Fuel Is Trying to Break You
Diesel prices are edging toward $5 a gallon, squeezing margins for owner‑operators and carriers. While macro forces such as Middle‑East tensions and Fed policy are beyond a driver’s control, two levers remain: where fuel is purchased and how much is...
How Critical Are Critical Minerals in the Brazil-US Economic Relationship?
Policymakers and experts convened to examine how critical minerals shape the Brazil‑US economic partnership. Brazil’s abundant rare‑earth and battery‑grade mineral reserves are increasingly vital to the United States’ energy‑transition agenda. The discussion highlighted supply‑chain vulnerabilities, especially reliance on China, and...
Amazon Defrauded: Guilty Plea in $3M+ Fraud Involving Trailers
A Connecticut‑based freight operator, Ameer Nasir, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for submitting more than $3 million in false invoices to Amazon Logistics. Between December 2019 and February 2021, he created 23 phantom trucking companies and used a manual override in...
5 IT Equipment Procurement Services That Fix Day-1 Onboarding
A Deloitte pulse check revealed that 56% of organisations view device‑provisioning delays as the leading productivity killer for new hires. Onboarding teams therefore need a reliable day‑one laptop solution. Onrec evaluated more than twenty vendors against four non‑negotiables and five...
U.S. Maritime Administrator Carmel Warns U.S. Must Rebuild Entire Maritime ‘System,’ Not Just Shipyards
U.S. Maritime Administrator Stephen Carmel warned that rebuilding American maritime power requires more than expanding shipyard capacity; the United States must reconstruct an entire maritime ecosystem. He highlighted that the U.S. now produces only 0.1% of global commercial ships and...
Congress Wants to Put Driverless 80,000-Pound Trucks on the Road – Should Small Carriers Be Worried
The SELF DRIVE Act (H.R. 7390) would create a federal framework allowing fully autonomous 80,000‑pound trucks to operate commercially while under testing permits, expanding NHTSA authority and preempting state rules. The bill requires manufacturers to submit a safety case but...
Port of Vancouver Moves Record Wheat Volume
Port of Vancouver set a new grain export record in 2025, moving 30.3 million tonnes of bulk cargo, driven by a 20 % jump in wheat shipments to 15.9 million tonnes. While wheat volumes surged, canola seed exports slumped 23 % to 6.6 million tonnes...
Huawei and CASCO Release the World’s First FRMCS-Based TACN System
At MWC Barcelona 2026 Huawei and CASCO unveiled the world’s first FRMCS‑based moving‑block train control system, TACN. The solution combines Huawei’s high‑bandwidth FRMCS network with CASCO’s integrated rail‑control suite, delivering sub‑3‑minute headways and a 60% capacity increase on an African...
Engineers Australia Underscores Engineering Role in Updated Infrastructure Priority List
Engineers Australia has welcomed Infrastructure Australia’s updated Infrastructure Priority List, which outlines five critical sectors—high‑productivity freight networks, port capacity, high‑capacity urban transport, secure sustainable water, and a net‑zero clean‑energy economy. The list is designed to steer federal and state investment...
How Moving Mission-Critical Tech Requires a Different Approach to Freight Logistics
Freight carriers are now moving mission‑critical AI and semiconductor hardware, not just consumer electronics, turning each trailer into a multi‑million‑dollar asset. The dense, delicate nature of this cargo demands real‑time, sensor‑driven visibility that goes beyond standard GPS location data. Werner’s...
Sigmatex Signs Distribution Agreement with Link Composites at JEC World 2026
Sigmatex, a 40‑year‑old global carbon‑fibre textile maker, has signed a distribution agreement with India’s Link Composites at JEC World 2026. The deal makes Link Composites the official distributor of Sigmatex’s certified fabrics across India, covering aerospace, renewable energy, automotive, infrastructure...
UNFI Moving in the Right Direction Despite a Down Q2
United Natural Foods (UNFI) is accelerating its RELEX AI‑powered supply‑chain platform, with 12 distribution centers slated to go live next week and full rollout expected by year‑end. Operational metrics improved, showing over 6% productivity gains, an 11% reduction in shrink,...
MIT CTL and Mecalux Develop an AI-Based Simulator to Optimize Inventory Across Warehouses
MIT’s Center for Transportation & Logistics and warehouse‑technology firm Mecalux have launched GENESIS, an AI‑driven simulator that uses a genetic algorithm to evaluate thousands of inventory‑distribution scenarios across a multi‑warehouse network in minutes. The platform ingests demand forecasts, transport costs...
Royal Navy Sends Missile Destroyer HMS Dragon to Eastern Mediterranean
The Royal Navy dispatched the Type‑45 destroyer HMS Dragon from Portsmouth to the Eastern Mediterranean, reinforcing the United Kingdom’s defensive posture amid rising Iranian‑linked attacks on Western interests. The ship’s Sea Viper air‑defence system will protect UK assets and allies, while...
Authorities Probe Spike in Portuguese Exports to Russia-Tied Countries
Portugal’s finance ministry has opened an investigation after statistics revealed a sharp rise in exports to countries closely aligned with Russia. Direct sales to Russia dropped from over €26 million in 2021 to near zero, while exports to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan,...
China, India Warn Carriers on Higher Pricing Tied to Middle East Conflict
Chinese and Indian transport ministries have publicly warned major container carriers, including Maersk and MSC, against imposing excessive surcharges linked to the Middle East war. The regulators highlighted concerns over service suspensions to the region and fee hikes running into...
Hawke’s Bay Firm Takes on New Zealand Prison Manufacturing, with a Plan to Cut Out Aussies
Patton Engineering has launched Patton Custodial in Whakatū, taking over prison‑related manufacturing from Sharp Edge Engineering and targeting contracts traditionally held by Australian firms. The new unit is one of only two New Zealand companies licensed to produce custodial products and...
Opinion: Waiving the Jones Act Won’t Lower Gas Prices—Tanker Markets Prove It
The op‑ed argues that waiving the Jones Act would not reduce U.S. gasoline prices because foreign‑flagged tankers are more expensive to charter than domestic Jones Act vessels. Using Worldscale data, the author shows a Houston‑to‑New York freight rate of WS410 equals...
