Supply Chain Social Media and Updates

South Africa’s ASP Offers US‑backed Gas Alternative to Russia, Qatar
SocialApr 7, 2026

South Africa’s ASP Offers US‑backed Gas Alternative to Russia, Qatar

ASP Isotopes to the rescue? $ASPI Strategically positioned in geopolitically neutral South Africa and bolstered by the backing of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), ASP’s Virginia Gas Project - integrated through the Renergen acquisition - stands as a...

By Mark Lehman (MarkFlowChatter)
US Withdrawal Fuels Iran's Stronger, Angrier Toll Regime
SocialApr 7, 2026

US Withdrawal Fuels Iran's Stronger, Angrier Toll Regime

Very plausible scenario. The US bombs for a few more weeks, then leaves. Iran starts charging a toll for ships leaving the Strait of Hormuz. After some period of rebuilding, it leads to an Iran that's stronger and angrier than...

By Ramez Naam
Iran's Oil Flow Restored, Excluding Genocide Coalition
SocialApr 7, 2026

Iran's Oil Flow Restored, Excluding Genocide Coalition

Just as Iran was taken out of SWIFT money traffic in 2011, the coalition of genocide has been taken out of HORMUZ Oil traffic. The Strait remains wide open for those nations who PAY and those who are not participating in...

By Ashraf Laidi
Industrials and Chemicals Strong, Intermodal Soft on Slow Imports
SocialApr 7, 2026

Industrials and Chemicals Strong, Intermodal Soft on Slow Imports

TD Cowen call with railroad and shipper execs: strength in industrials, with chemicals showing strength with confidence for rest of 2026 Intermodal soft Intermodal is likely soft due to slow imports https://t.co/04LgKSMRa9

By Craig Fuller
Four Core Systems Power a Responsive Supply Chain
SocialApr 7, 2026

Four Core Systems Power a Responsive Supply Chain

The Four Pillars of Your Supply Chain Information System To build a truly responsive supply chain, you must understand the specific software sources that feed your data. In our latest lesson, we dive deep into the four essential systems that power...

By Dr. Muddassir Ahmed
Iran Strikes Saudi Petrochemical Plant, U.S. Media Silent
SocialApr 7, 2026

Iran Strikes Saudi Petrochemical Plant, U.S. Media Silent

Whoa I missed this: Saudi Arabian petrochemical plant struck by Iran at Jubail Industrial City Not reported in mainstream U.S. press but from sources generally accurate (AFP, by way of Times of Israel) https://t.co/5PXGglvqpg

By Jack Farley
Amazon’s AI Gripper ‘Feels’ 75% of Items
SocialApr 7, 2026

Amazon’s AI Gripper ‘Feels’ 75% of Items

The main robotics invention Amazon made to help automate 75% of its fulfilment center is called the Vulcan system. An AI-powered gripper has the “sense of touch”, which can handle 75% of Amazon’s 1 million unique items. The previous picking robots...

By Trung Phan
Oil Benchmark Hits Record, Reflecting Iran War Shortages
SocialApr 7, 2026

Oil Benchmark Hits Record, Reflecting Iran War Shortages

A key benchmark for physical oil has surged to its highest level on record, showing that global crude markets are increasingly pricing in supply shortages caused by the Iran war. https://t.co/OCII5LIP6Z https://t.co/V7iFSd47Gu

By Holger Zschaepitz
Pakistan Urges Iran to Reopen Hormuz, Pause Fighting
SocialApr 7, 2026

Pakistan Urges Iran to Reopen Hormuz, Pause Fighting

🚨 Pakistan requesting Iran: ➡️ Open straight of Hormuz for 2 weeks ➡️ Ceasefire for two weeks ➡️ Trump to extend deadline for 2 weeks ➡️ Meanwhile, Iranian official tells Reuters: exchanges via mediators still ongoing (😇 this morning it was cutoff?)

By Kevin Paffrath (Meet Kevin)
Firms Use Legal and Illegal Tactics to Dodge US Tariffs
SocialApr 7, 2026

Firms Use Legal and Illegal Tactics to Dodge US Tariffs

In today's thrilling episode of "least surprising tariff news ever", the NYT reports that firms have reacted to historically high and complex US tariffs by engaging in lawful and unlawful ways to avoid paying them. Shocked, shocked, etc etc. https://t.co/f7tZuI7dgo

By Scott Lincicome
Iran's Oil Revenues Soar Amid War-Driven Price Spikes
SocialApr 7, 2026

Iran's Oil Revenues Soar Amid War-Driven Price Spikes

My view on Iran's surge in revenues since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran with @CoffeeandaMike: "Since the war started, the Iranians have been shipping a lot more crude out of the Strait of Hormuz, they've been selling at...

By Steve Hanke
NYT Exposes Widespread Tariff Fraud Since Last Year
SocialApr 7, 2026

NYT Exposes Widespread Tariff Fraud Since Last Year

Tariff fraud is rampant since last year. Great NY Times piece exposing the fraud today. https://t.co/FMWKsJMk9V

By Ryan Petersen
Paper Prices Lag Real Commodity Costs Amid Iran War
SocialApr 7, 2026

Paper Prices Lag Real Commodity Costs Amid Iran War

Supply chains, with the Iran war, they are seeing a difference between paper prices for affected commodities and what they are paying. Paper is lagging reality. https://t.co/oYEHrq6g23

By Tom Craig
Trump Admin Warned of $200 Oil, Brent Hits $144
SocialApr 7, 2026

Trump Admin Warned of $200 Oil, Brent Hits $144

Two weeks ago, we scooped that the Trump administration was modeling the impact of oil prices reaching as high as $200 a barrel due to the #IranWar‌. Dated Brent oil just hit a record about $144...

By Eric Martin
General Caine Warns Iran Could Block Vital Hormuz Strait
SocialApr 7, 2026

General Caine Warns Iran Could Block Vital Hormuz Strait

MUST READ: “General Caine […] also flagged the enormous difficulty of securing the Strait of Hormuz and the risks of Iran blocking it. Mr. Trump had dismissed that possibility on the assumption that the regime would capitulate before it came...

By Javier Blas
Recognized as Top 50 Manufacturing Thought Leader
SocialApr 7, 2026

Recognized as Top 50 Manufacturing Thought Leader

Proud to share: I have been named one of the 50 Best Thought Leaders in Manufacturing (2026) by Clarity. 30+ years in supply chain/ops, sharing insights through columns, media quotes and podcasts. https://t.co/UQNqnIq1IH #Manufacturing #SupplyChain #Leadership https://t.co/1MwFLC4uUV

By Lisa Anderson
First Sale Metrics Reveal Tariff Impact on Retailers
SocialApr 7, 2026

First Sale Metrics Reveal Tariff Impact on Retailers

The reality of dealing with the Trump tariffs. Import value. First Sale. Maybe Last Sale, if it happens. Does using First Sale reflect the size of the retailer? And manufacturers?

By Tom Craig
Trump Admin Stalls $5.9B Citgo Takeover over Risk
SocialApr 7, 2026

Trump Admin Stalls $5.9B Citgo Takeover over Risk

EXCLUSIVE: A $5.9 billion deal for control of #Venezuela’s Citgo by a group affiliated with hedge fund Elliott has gotten bogged down amid Trump administration concerns over the price and political risk. @jendlouhyhc @NicolleYapur @GaripPatricia https://t.co/hnSAqgLCpt

By Eric Martin
Trump Blames Greenland for NATO Breakup
SocialApr 7, 2026

Trump Blames Greenland for NATO Breakup

the unnecessary origin story of trump's nato breakup, in his own words: "it all began with greenland."

By Ian Bremmer
Build Global Energy Corridors to Bypass Hormuz, Says Hochstein
SocialApr 7, 2026

Build Global Energy Corridors to Bypass Hormuz, Says Hochstein

".... The only long-term solution is new infrastructure—making a massive, internationally coordinated investment in energy corridors that bypass the Strait of Hormuz entirely... " -- @amoshochstein https://t.co/hvu4ACTwok

By Javier Blas
Manufacturers Skip Tariff Refunds Amid Legal Cost Concerns
SocialApr 7, 2026

Manufacturers Skip Tariff Refunds Amid Legal Cost Concerns

"Uncertainty reigns for manufacturers seeking tariff refunds" https://t.co/hbU692VC7S "Of those that have decided not seek refunds, 37% said the anticipated legal costs or effort outweighed the potential refund." Theft. https://t.co/0M3rkxq0dm

By Scott Lincicome
Impending Bahrain Conflict Could Trigger Oil Market Catastrophe
SocialApr 7, 2026

Impending Bahrain Conflict Could Trigger Oil Market Catastrophe

I sat down with @JoshYoung, CIO of Bison Interests - the fund that returned 349% in a single year on oil. He told me this war is far from over. And the real crisis hasn't even started. "I don't think the market...

By Michaël van de Poppe
Customers Adjust Prices Amid Rising Fuel Costs
SocialApr 7, 2026

Customers Adjust Prices Amid Rising Fuel Costs

Truckers: how are customers dealing with fuel spikes? Are you getting price adjustments? (Pic from Gary Johnson out of Needles, CA) https://t.co/Hi9h5ywOyg

By Timothy Dooner
Robots Climb Ceilings and Walls in Warehouses
SocialApr 7, 2026

Robots Climb Ceilings and Walls in Warehouses

Gravity-Defying #Robotic #Warehouse System: Ceiling- and Wall-Climbing #Automation via @ZappyZappy7 #Robot #MachineLearning #ArtificialIntelligence #ML https://t.co/ks5DdvJcWX

By Ron van Loon
Zappos Beat Amazon with Kiva Robots Before Acquisition
SocialApr 7, 2026

Zappos Beat Amazon with Kiva Robots Before Acquisition

Zappos was beating Amazon on cost per order. Amazon couldn't figure out how. Turns out @Alfred_Lin's team was running Kiva robots before Amazon even believed they'd work. Amazon later bought Kiva for $775M. Alfred went from operating automation at Zappos to funding...

By Brad Porter
China, Russia Veto UN Resolution on Hormuz Security
SocialApr 7, 2026

China, Russia Veto UN Resolution on Hormuz Security

🚨🚨 China and Russia have VETOED a UN Security Council resolution to encourage countries to coordinate defensive efforts on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

By Eric Martin
Apple Undecided on Expanding MacBook Neo Production
SocialApr 7, 2026

Apple Undecided on Expanding MacBook Neo Production

Exclusive: Apple is pondering whether to ramp up production of MacBook Neo, or let it run its course. Quanta and Foxconn aren't yet sure whether they'll be asked to make a new batch of this year's model. Or just wait until next...

By Tim Culpan
Rubio: Iran's Hormuz Attacks Threaten Global Commerce
SocialApr 7, 2026

Rubio: Iran's Hormuz Attacks Threaten Global Commerce

Rubio this morning on the impact of the Iran war: "The whole world’s been impacted unfortunately because Iran is violating every law known by striking commercial vessels in the Straits of Hormuz, and it’s a big problem for the world."

By Eric Martin
Seeking Intel on Ships that Cleared Hormuz Last Night
SocialApr 7, 2026

Seeking Intel on Ships that Cleared Hormuz Last Night

Me checking DMs for intel from @MikeSchuler and @mercoglianos on which ships actually made it through Hormuz last night: All my other DMs: https://t.co/NOh3PufPGj

By John Konrad
Houthis Threaten Bab El‑Mandeb Closure, Risk Oil Price Surge
SocialApr 7, 2026

Houthis Threaten Bab El‑Mandeb Closure, Risk Oil Price Surge

The Houthis attempting to close the Bab el-Mandeb strait by again turning it into a shooting gallery would be a massive problem and would send oil prices into orbit. Saudis are moving their oil to Asia via the Red Sea...

By Tyler Rogoway
Crude and Product Tankers Drive Suez Canal Traffic Surge
SocialApr 7, 2026

Crude and Product Tankers Drive Suez Canal Traffic Surge

Crude tankers and product tankers are resulting in the uptick in passages through the Suez Canal.

By Sal Mercogliano
Load‑to‑truck Ratios Inflated by Hidden Ghost Loads
SocialApr 7, 2026

Load‑to‑truck Ratios Inflated by Hidden Ghost Loads

Load to truck ratios are not real because they include ghost loads, which according to former DAT insiders are far more significant than they readily admit

By Craig Fuller
ATA's Driver Shortage Myth Harms Trucking and Blocks Entry
SocialApr 7, 2026

ATA's Driver Shortage Myth Harms Trucking and Blocks Entry

The ATA damaged the trucking industry in countless ways by promoting the truck driver shortage lie, eliminating barriers to entry. The problem is that lie stuck and it’s almost impossible to unwind because it is accepted as fact by those that...

By Craig Fuller
Brazil's Ag Boom Outpaces Truck Capacity, Drives Rates Up
SocialApr 7, 2026

Brazil's Ag Boom Outpaces Truck Capacity, Drives Rates Up

Brazil’s ag boom = pressure on trucks + dry bulk. In Talking Transports, I spoke with Goflux & Alphamar on: • Rising freight rates • Dry bulk demand surge • Fertilizer imports & trade shifts • Aging fleets + fragmentation Big theme: demand > capacity. 🎧 Listen...

By Lee Klaskow
China Empowers State Council to Probe Foreign Supply‑chain Threats
SocialApr 7, 2026

China Empowers State Council to Probe Foreign Supply‑chain Threats

Regulations of the State Council on the security of industrial and supply chains Article 15 If a foreign organization or individual violates normal market transaction principles, interrupts normal transactions with Chinese citizens or organizations, takes discriminatory measures against Chinese citizens or organizations,...

By Paul Triolo
China Launches Sweeping Supply‑chain Security Mechanism
SocialApr 7, 2026

China Launches Sweeping Supply‑chain Security Mechanism

China will set up a sweeping new mechanism to ensure the security of its supply chains https://t.co/c69SVYs86R

By Paul Triolo
Oppenheimer Reaffirms Buy, Fuel Surcharge Impact Minimal
SocialApr 7, 2026

Oppenheimer Reaffirms Buy, Fuel Surcharge Impact Minimal

$TMDX -- quality note/report this morning from Oppenheimer... they reiterated their buy rating... they reiterated their $175 price target... they made the following comments regarding fuel surcharge debate: "We have spent the last few weeks talking to various players in...

By Jonah Lupton
Terfab Ranks Among Top Three WFE Spenders for 1GW Compute
SocialApr 7, 2026

Terfab Ranks Among Top Three WFE Spenders for 1GW Compute

Putting Terfab into perspective. Based on stated goals: 1GW of compute requires about 50kwpm of logic, 140kwpm of DRAM, ~30kwpm of NAND, and ~35 kwpm of CoWoS (advanced packaging). That translates to about $30bn of WFE per 1GW produced...

By Ben Bajarin
El Niño Triggers Historic Panama Canal Drought Restrictions
SocialApr 7, 2026

El Niño Triggers Historic Panama Canal Drought Restrictions

The last El Niño led to historic drought restrictions in the Panama Canal. Plan on monitoring the situation

By Mike Schuler
Congress Targets Rare‑Earth Magnets, Threatening US‑China Ties
SocialApr 7, 2026

Congress Targets Rare‑Earth Magnets, Threatening US‑China Ties

#MATCHAct very real danger to bilateral relationship, + for US firms facing REE/magnet-related issues. Beijing would respond harshly if some version moves forward. From Coordination to Constraint: Congress Eyes a Memory Squeeze on China—and the World https://t.co/y1sG4ZDOZo https://t.co/oZ3fvm8npl

By Paul Triolo
Logistics Tech Thrives While Procurement Stays Stuck
SocialApr 7, 2026

Logistics Tech Thrives While Procurement Stays Stuck

Walk into any modern warehouse: impressive tech, slick operations. Now try finding that warehouse as a shipper: cold calls, outdated directories, gut feel. The internal machinery of logistics is miles ahead of how it gets bought and sold. New episode 👇 https://t.co/VRCyCBQ7lz

By Martijn Graat
Hungary Still Relies on Russian Oil, Unlike Europe
SocialApr 7, 2026

Hungary Still Relies on Russian Oil, Unlike Europe

Hungary imports about 90% of its oil from Russia. I can think of at least ONE reason why other European nations no longer do the same...

By Eric Martin
Manufacturing Surge Signals Start of New Cycle
SocialApr 7, 2026

Manufacturing Surge Signals Start of New Cycle

He missed the most important part of the story - the strongest part of the report was upstream, not downstream. Upstream is manufacturing, downstream is retail. Upstream was much stronger than downstream, which was the opposite during the Great Freight Recession. This...

By Craig Fuller
Trump's 100% Pharma Tariffs Threaten U.S. Drug Prices
SocialApr 7, 2026

Trump's 100% Pharma Tariffs Threaten U.S. Drug Prices

Spent last year deep in supply chain security for my book—pharma near the top of the list for policymakers globally. Excited to dig into Trump's latest tariff announcement with @TomBollyky, one of the leading voices on trade, security, and public...

By Chad P. Bown
Freight Data Signals Early Manufacturing Upswing Ahead of Indicators
SocialApr 7, 2026

Freight Data Signals Early Manufacturing Upswing Ahead of Indicators

I am not an economist, I simply read off the the high frequency data and our channel checks tell me at the time and relay that info. Freight is upstream to demand, so to a casual observer, it appears as...

By Craig Fuller
AI Connects Supply‑Chain Data for Real‑Time Traceability
SocialApr 7, 2026

AI Connects Supply‑Chain Data for Real‑Time Traceability

Supply chains generate continuous streams of operational data across production and compliance processes. AI links these signals along the product journey, enabling traceability and faster response when disruptions, regulatory checks, or trust issues appear. Microblog @antgrasso https://t.co/3hL4Zo8l2r

By Antonio Grasso
Anthropic Secures TPU Capacity, Signaling Compute Diversification
SocialApr 7, 2026

Anthropic Secures TPU Capacity, Signaling Compute Diversification

.@Anthropic inks deal with @Google, @Broadcom for TPU capacity https://t.co/FCwUyLMN3c >> Congrats. Compute restrictions are real and supplier diversity is critical. Inflection point for Google TPUs going beyond @GoogleCloud. #NextGenApps by @LDignan

By Holger Müller
IEA: Hormuz Blockade Crisis Exceeds All Past Oil Shocks
SocialApr 7, 2026

IEA: Hormuz Blockade Crisis Exceeds All Past Oil Shocks

PARIS, April 7 (Reuters) - The current oil and gas crisis triggered by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is "more serious than the ones in 1973, 1979 and 2022 together", Fatih Birol, the head of the International Energy...

By Guy Faulconbridge
US-to-Asia Oil Shipping Costs Hit Record Highs
SocialApr 7, 2026

US-to-Asia Oil Shipping Costs Hit Record Highs

The cost of shipping oil from the United States to Asia by sea is hitting record highs. https://t.co/c8BCdLPsi8

By Crypto Jack