Intermodal Focus: South Carolina Ports Authority
The South Carolina Ports Authority, now the No. 8 U.S. container port by volume, leverages the East Coast’s deepest harbor and a $3 billion expansion plan to reach 10 million TEUs. Recent investments include the Navy Base Intermodal Facility, capable of handling 14,000‑foot trains and lifting one million containers annually, and upgrades to Inland Port Greer for longer trains and 50 % more cargo. Ocean carriers have expanded weekly services to 29, adding new calls from Asia, Europe and India, while the authority reports a 9 % volume increase on the Northeast Asia‑U.S. trade lane. Despite a broader freight recession, SCPA aims for growth beyond the modest 3 % year‑over‑year container rise.
Action Needed to Avoid Memory Loss
U.S. federal contractors are facing a severe DRAM and NAND flash shortage driven by AI and data‑center demand, pushing commercial memory prices up more than 500 %. The scarcity is expected to persist through late 2027, with projected triple‑digit price hikes...
AXT’s Q4/2025 Revenue Constrained by Delay in China Export Permits
AXT Inc reported an 11% drop in full‑year 2025 revenue to $88.3 m, driven by an 8.4% Q4 decline caused by delayed Chinese export permits for indium phosphide. Gross margin fell to 13.1% while the company posted a $18 m net loss...
Organic Cotton Accelerator Reveals Next Phase of Scaling Strategy
The Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) unveiled its next‑phase scaling strategy aimed at building a resilient global organic cotton supply chain by 2030. The plan broadens impact metrics to include climate, biodiversity, and labor outcomes while introducing a pilot Farm Fund...
Tariff Uncertainty Expected to Weigh on U.S. Container Imports in First Half of 2026, NRF Says
The National Retail Federation’s Global Port Tracker projects U.S. container imports will stay below last‑year levels through the first half of 2026 due to lingering tariff uncertainty and geopolitical risk. After the Supreme Court struck down IEEPA tariffs, the Trump...
New $US 4bn Argentina - Chile Freight Corridor Proposed
Argentina’s provinces of Mendoza, San Juan and San Luis have unveiled a $4 bn Cuyo‑Pacific rail corridor linking the copper‑gold mining basins of San Juan and Mendoza and the Vaca Muerta shale complex to Chile’s Pacific ports. The plan calls for...
The US’s Critical Minerals Club Threatens an Equitable Clean Energy Transition
The United States is forming a critical‑minerals trading bloc aimed at breaking China’s dominance in supply chains for digital and defense technologies. The initiative downplays clean‑energy needs, even though analysis shows only a handful of the 33 minerals the UK...
A Recipe for Batch Processing Success
Valmet has launched FlexBatch 8, its latest ISA‑88‑compliant batch automation and recipe management software, now fully integrated with both Valmet DNAe and D3 DCS platforms. The solution lets operators create and modify recipes using a drag‑and‑drop interface, removing the need for...
Panasonic Connect Unveils Latest in Smart Manufacturing at APEX EXPO 2026
Panasonic Connect North America debuted a suite of smart‑manufacturing solutions at APEX EXPO 2026, including a new Auto‑Setting Feeder that cuts loading time by more than half. The showcase featured the NPM‑GP/L screen printer with 12‑second cycles and ±3.8 µm accuracy, the autonomous...
Prologis Adding On To Massive La Porte Logistics Park
Prologis broke ground on the final phase of its Port Crossing Commerce Center in La Porte, Texas, adding two new buildings totaling 290,000 square feet. The expansion pushes the park’s footprint above 2.7 million square feet across 11 structures, reinforcing...
Logistics.com Launches an Updated Transportation Procurement Platform
Logistics.com unveiled OptiBid 3, the latest version of its transportation procurement platform, enabling shippers to run multi‑mode freight bidding events and conduct advanced data analysis. The solution integrates directly with the company’s OptiManage 7 TMS, allowing procurement decisions to flow...
Precision Under Pressure: How Advanced Machining Is Reshaping Global Supply Chains
Advanced machining, especially Swiss‑type lathes, is reshaping supply chains across medical, aerospace, and automotive sectors. Companies now prioritize reliability, ultra‑tight tolerances, and scalable production over pure cost. The rise of complex, high‑precision components demands deep material expertise and integrated quality...
Finnair Cargo Strengthens Digital Transformation with Accelya Platform
Finnair Cargo has renewed its partnership with Accelya, keeping the Accelya Cargo platform as the backbone of its commercial, operational, ground‑handling and revenue‑accounting functions. The platform automates rating, warehouse operations, billing and settlement, delivering end‑to‑end accuracy across Finnair’s cargo network....
Procure Impact Announces Partnership with Highgate to Advance Social Procurement Across Its Hotel Portfolio
Procure Impact has partnered with Highgate to embed social procurement across the hotel chain’s portfolio, creating curated marketplaces featuring more than 6,000 mission‑driven products. The collaboration will roll out in 2026, integrating these items into amenities and guest touchpoints. Highgate...
As Trump Tariff Refund Process Takes Shape, Importers Remain Uncertain
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced it will create a refund process for Trump‑era tariffs invalidated by the Supreme Court, aiming to launch within 45 days. The agency has not yet detailed how importers will file refunds in the Automated...
Bulgaria-North Macedonia Rail Border Crossing to Be Ready in 2030
Bulgaria and North Macedonia have agreed to complete their first rail border crossing by 2030, featuring a 2.4‑kilometre tunnel under the Deve Bair mountain. The tunnel, costing roughly €69 million, is slated for Bulgarian completion by the end of 2028, after...
‘Battery Atlas 2026’ Maps Europe’s Cell, Pack and Battery Manufacturers
The third edition of the Battery Atlas 2026, released by RWTH Aachen University, maps Europe’s entire lithium‑ion battery value chain. While more than 2,000 GWh of cell capacity was announced in 2023, the realistic outlook for early 2026 is about 1,190 GWh,...
The 1,550-Pound Gorilla – Part 4 of 5
The article examines the Union Pacific‑Norfolk Southern merger, describing it as a 1,550‑pound “gorilla” that will dominate U.S. rail markets. It estimates that 25% of 2 million truckloads—about 500,000 units—could shift to rail over 7‑10 years if rates justify the switch,...
Ter Hoek Expands Into Technical Ceramic Manufacturing with XJet Carmel 1400C 3D Printing Solution
Ter Hoek, a Dutch precision‑metal specialist, has adopted XJet’s Carmel 1400C ceramic 3‑D‑printing system, introducing NanoParticle Jetting (NPJ) technology to its production line. The move expands the company’s material portfolio from metals to high‑performance ceramics, enabling complex, high‑precision parts for aerospace, semiconductor...
Iran Conflict Tests 2026 Air Cargo Outlook
Xeneta’s March 5 report warns that the Iran‑U.S./Israel conflict is reshaping the 2026 air cargo outlook. February showed a 6 % YoY volume rise and spot rates up 5 % to $2.58/kg, indicating resilience. With the Strait of Hormuz closed, jet‑fuel costs could...
CMA CGM Sets Chinese Volume Record with Shanghai Biomethanol Bunkering
CMA CGM completed its first biomethanol bunkering at Shanghai’s Yangshan terminal, loading 3,643 tons of renewable fuel onto the 13,000‑TEU CMA CGM Osmium. The operation set a Chinese record for the largest single biomethanol bunkering move at a port. Fuel was supplied by Shanghai...
Nuclear Power for Commercial Vessels Central to ABS, HD Hyundai JDP
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has partnered with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and HD Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries to launch a joint development project for a nuclear‑powered electric propulsion system. The collaboration will produce a conceptual design, electrical...
Towage Giant Delivers Record Results, Eyes Global Expansion
SAAM reported record 2025 results, posting $80.4 million net income and a 15% EBITDA rise to $216.9 million, driven by robust towage operations. Revenue grew 9% to over $526 million in the towage segment, delivering a 35.6% margin, while its Aerosan logistics unit...
Aldi Begins Renovations on Newly Acquired Florida Distribution Center
Aldi has launched a $35.1 million renovation of its Baldwin, Florida distribution center, converting the former C&S Wholesale Grocers site into a modern hub for perishable and dry goods. The upgrade, split between $22 million for 391,600 sq ft of refrigerated space and $13 million...
ZIM Navigates Cooling Container Markets, Hapag-Lloyd Deal Looms
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services posted 2025 revenue of $6.9 billion, an 18% decline from 2024, while net income fell to $481 million, down 78%. TEU volumes slipped only marginally to 3.66 million, but average freight rates dropped to $1,551 per TEU. The carrier...
Calm Amid Storm: Indian Founders Hold Steady As Middle East Tensions Rise
Escalating US‑Israel and Iran conflict is disrupting tech hubs across the Middle East, prompting global giants like Microsoft, Nvidia and Amazon to shut their Dubai offices and shift staff to remote work. Indian founders based in Dubai report that day‑to‑day...
Texas Carrier Serna’s Trucking Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Serna’s Trucking LLC, a San Marcos‑based carrier founded in 2006, filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition in the Western District of Texas. The filing lists debts under $3.4 million, qualifying it for a small‑business restructuring, and assets of roughly $545 k, dominated...
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index Hits Highest Reading in More than Four Years
FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index jumped to 9.3 in January 2026, the strongest reading since February 2022, signalling a markedly optimistic trucking environment. The surge reflects sharply higher freight rates, volumes and utilization, which together have created what FTR calls "robust...
What Changes with the Updated General Contract for the Use of Wagons?
The General Contract for the Use of Wagons (CGU) was revised at the start of 2026 to streamline procedures and clarify responsibility during wagon custody. Railway Undertakings (RUs) can now directly commission repairs without awaiting approval from distant keepers, accelerating...
Shipowners to Lead Maritime Transformation Talks at APM 2026
The Asia Pacific Maritime (APM) 2026 conference in Singapore placed shipowners at the forefront of the industry’s digital and decarbonisation push. Senior executives debated how to balance immediate cost pressures with long‑term zero‑emission targets, evaluating LNG’s role and emerging AI‑driven autonomy....
DFI to Showcase Edge AI Platforms, Powered by Intel, for Robotic Automation and Industrial Applications at Embedded World 2026
DFI will showcase its new edge AI platforms, co‑developed with Intel, at Embedded World 2026. The portfolio includes the PTH9HM COM‑HPC Mini module for defense and unmanned systems, offering real‑time 8K vision and AI inference, and the PTH171/173 Mini‑ITX motherboards...
Fairplay Towage Joins Tug Network Team as Alliance Expands Into Europe
Tug Network Team (TNT), an alliance of independent towage operators launched in the Americas, has expanded into Europe by adding Hamburg‑based Fairplay Towage. The partnership brings the alliance’s footprint to 113 ports across 13 countries and a combined fleet of...
Any Attack on Innocent Seafarers Unacceptable: IMO Secretary-General
International Maritime Organization Secretary‑General Arsenio Domínguez condemned a series of attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, noting at least seven seafarer deaths and multiple injuries. He highlighted the missile strike on the tug Mussafah 2, which killed four...
UPS’ Future Is Less E-Commerce, More SMB, B2B and Healthcare
UPS is restructuring its network to reduce reliance on Amazon, shedding roughly $5 billion in revenue and 2 million daily packages. The carrier will pivot toward higher‑margin verticals such as business‑to‑business, industrial, healthcare and small‑business shipments. Through its Digital Access Program, UPS...
Limited Freighter Lift Shapes Morocco-West Africa Cargo Strategy
The Morocco‑West Africa air cargo corridor relies heavily on passenger belly space, with dedicated freighter lift remaining inconsistent and often shrinking. Royal Air Maroc’s new Casablanca‑Dakar freighter marks a strategic move, yet overall capacity stays fragmented, especially on secondary routes...
Virtual PLCs Explained: Why Manufacturers Are Revisiting Their Approach to Controllers
Virtual programmable logic controllers (PLCs) run control logic in containerized software on standard servers, offering automatic failover and reduced downtime. By moving PLC functions to a software‑defined environment, manufacturers can develop, test, and validate code virtually before commissioning, cutting time...
Strait of Hormuz Disruption Pushes Polyester Fibre Prices Up
Polyester fibre prices in India jumped by Rs.12 (US $0.13) per kilogram after the Strait of Hormuz closure forced vessels to reroute around Africa. The diversion adds roughly 20‑25 days to transit times, inflating freight costs and straining supply chains. SIMA...
NORD DRIVESYSTEMS at LogiMAT 2026 in Stuttgart
At LogiMAT 2026 in Stuttgart, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS unveiled its latest decentralised drive portfolio, highlighted by the NORDAC LINK frequency inverter with built‑in Ethernet connectivity and advanced safety functions. The new inverter supports encoder‑less control of high‑efficiency IE5+ synchronous motors and mirrors...
AI in the Supply Chain: Building Intelligent, Adaptive, and Resilient Logistics Systems
ARC Advisory Group’s new white paper and webinar detail how artificial intelligence is evolving into the foundational operating layer of modern supply chains. The research outlines four structural shifts—AI‑augmented ERP/WMS/TMS, agent‑to‑agent coordination, context‑aware decision frameworks, and graph‑based network intelligence—that enable...
Air Cargo Turns to Trucks as Middle East Disruption Sends Rates Soaring
Air cargo networks across the Gulf are crippled by flight cancellations and airspace closures, prompting forwarders to reroute freight by truck, especially through Saudi Arabia. Freight rates have surged, with southern‑Asia to North America lanes up 36% and Asia‑Europe lanes...
Vestas Signs Japan Nacelle Factory MoU
Vestas has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to establish a wind turbine nacelle manufacturing base. The agreement sets a target for final‑stage nacelle assembly in Japan by fiscal year 2029, with a...
Modern PLCs Support Dependable SCADA Communications
CoStream has built a low‑cost, cloud‑enabled SCADA platform for small municipal water utilities, using AutomationDirect’s BRX PLC as the on‑premises controller. The BRX supports a wide range of industrial protocols, enabling seamless integration with legacy and new equipment while keeping...
Manufacturers’ Biggest Challenge in Adopting AI Is Preparing Their Systems for It, Expert Says
Manufacturers face a bigger hurdle than AI technology itself: adapting physical facilities and workflows for automation. Asad Afzal of A‑Safe warns that many plants were not built for the increased automation AI enables, leading to congestion and equipment strain. Companies...
HS2 to Revise £2bn Fleet Contract with Alstom, Hitachi After Route Cuts Force Rethink on Train Length
The UK government is renegotiating its £2 billion HS2 rolling‑stock contract with Hitachi and Alstom after the northern leg beyond Birmingham was cancelled. The original deal for 54 trainsets, signed in 2021, now misaligns with a shortened network and may require...
West Asia Tensions Pose Twin Challenges for Indian Paper Industry
West Asian geopolitical tensions are creating a dual challenge for India’s paper sector by driving up energy costs and threatening key export markets. In FY24‑25, the industry shipped $980 million of paper and paperboard, with roughly $290 million (30%) destined for West...
Week in Review: Mango’s Logistics Centre Shows Where Fashion’s Real Scale Lies
Mango has unveiled a massive, highly automated logistics centre that spans roughly the size of 40 football pitches and can hold up to 7 million hanging garments. The hub centralises distribution for the brand, using conveyors, robotics and AI‑driven inventory systems...
Truck Driver Uses Hacked Carrier Emails to Heist Cargo
A Jamaican immigrant, Romoy Forbes, is charged with a multi‑state cargo‑theft ring that used hacked email accounts of three truck‑load carriers to book and divert shipments. The scheme stole frozen snow crabs, blueberries and high‑value cologne, totaling over $1.1 million in...
Kelly: U.S. Maritime ‘Critical’ to National, Economic Security
Senator Mark Kelly is championing the bipartisan SHIPS for America Act, a 300‑page proposal aimed at overhauling the United States’ maritime strategy, rebuilding shipbuilding capacity, and creating a skilled workforce. The legislation highlights that more than 80% of U.S. imports...
LG Energy Solution Reportedly Drops LG Chem Cathodes for Tesla Batteries
LG Energy Solution (LGES) will stop using cathode material from sister firm LG Chem for Tesla battery packs, shifting to external supplier L&F. The change is driven by Tesla’s demand for ultra‑high‑nickel (95% Ni) NMC cathodes that promise roughly 20%...
UK Businesses Urged to Prepare for EU Agri-Food Trade Reset
The UK government is urging food and farming firms to ready themselves for a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU, slated to cut paperwork and inspections that have hampered trade since Brexit. Ministers say the deal could...
