US‑Flagged Service Links Savannah to Jebel Ali, Boosting Exports
This is the US Flagged UMX/MUS/MECL service that calls the port of Jebel Ali. The service originates in Savannah before going to Norfolk, New York, and then across. It is a very popular service for US Exports as well as USGOV cargo. https://t.co/EtjxHhLJBa
US‑flagged Vessels Stranded in Gulf, No Escort Updates
We don't use it? Five ships: APL Eagle, Alliance Fairfax, CS Anthem, Stena Imperative and Maersk Yorktown with 100+ American mariners are stuck in the Persian Gulf right now. No communication with the military or navy about escorts or when...
Freight Broker Sued for Ignoring Verification, Enabling Cargo Theft
FREIGHT BROKER SUED OVER CARGO THEFT: "Zurich American Insurance Company filed suit on March 18, 2026, in the US District Court for the Central District of California, targeting TForce Worldwide, Inc., a licensed freight forwarder it accuses of ignoring its...
Dalilah Bill Split Could Spark Trucking Super Cycle
Two versions of the Dalilah's bill are in Congress: House - Out of committee and up for a vote. Non-dom CDLs expire within 12 months. Senate - Still in committee. Non-dom CDLs expire within 6 months. TD Cowen estimates that...
Iran Could Outproduce Its Own Drone Attacks Daily
if iran retains one-third of its reported 10,000 per month production it would produce more drones per day than it is currently firing.
Great Factories Align Technology, Operations, and People
The best factories don’t rely on just tech—they align tech, operations, and people. #DigitalManufacturing #TechOps #SmartFactory #Industry40 #ManufacturingLeadership #DigitalTransformation https://t.co/JZqZ0xHGN6
Spring Reset: Refresh Supply Chain Assumptions and Data
First day of spring/equinox = a supply chain reset: refresh assumptions, clean data, align priorities. Want more predictability? Contact LMA. #SupplyChain #SIOP https://t.co/T9DVT39eRQ
China Gains First Benefit as Iran War Cuts Oil Imports
CHINA ALREADY GOT ITS FIRST WIN FROM THE WAR IN IRAN In today's newsletter, I wrote about how the long term trend of countries reducing their oil imports by substituting them with Chinese tech is already accelerating since the start of...
Shipping Blind Spots Drive Sticky Inflation and Price Shocks
What if I told you inflation is sticky because nobody is watching the ships? What if I told you nobody can predict the effect of Hormuz on energy price shocks because nobody understands shipping? What if I told them, they could...
Panic Buying Leaves over 100 NSW Diesel Stations Empty
"At least 107 fuel stations across the state of New South Wales (NSW) in Australia have run out of diesel as panic buying has outstripped supply, premier Chris Minns said today." https://t.co/zXWc5xVLPK
Low Stock Levels Threaten US Reserve Capacity Integrity
Here is something I had not realized. Functionally, the US' strategic petroleum reserve may have less capacity than the stated figures. Should stocks fall below a certain threshold, it could damage the structural integrity of the actual storage facility. https://t.co/AIeGeWdXWV...
Class 8 Truck Orders Surge 157% Year‑over‑Year
Fleets are starting to feel a little feisty... Class 8 truck sales coming in STRONG (157%+ YoY)
Trim Inventory, Adopt JIT to Boost Sale Value
“If you plan to sell in the next few years... identify excess inventory and use it up. Go to a just-in-time system if possible. Remember, we want to maximize profits while minimizing the required capital. This makes your business look...
AI and Geopolitics Reshape Global Supply Chain
Above the Fold: Supply Chain Logistics News (March 20, 2026) - https://t.co/6N5W6UvR9N @FedEx @amazon @DescartesSG #AI #supplychain #logistics #transportation #IranWar #Trumptariffs #trucking
Carriers Back Truckstop Consolidation to Boost Fuel Margins
Little secret: The large truckload carriers love a consolidated truckstop industry. When Pilot and Flying J were contemplating a merger, the DOJ reached out to the largest carriers and asked their opinion. They were generally supportive. They wanted consolidation in retail fuel. Why? Less...
Section 301 Probe Relies on Flawed Economics to Push New Tariffs
Good summary of how the new US Section 301 investigation of "structural excess capacity" is based on shoddy economics and clearly just rigged to get to new tariffs: https://t.co/vW75C0H5Y9 https://t.co/vLsCLihqxd
Speculation:
are we gunna get a @DavidSacks tweet about Super Micro smuggling billions of chips to China? https://t.co/TgZEv5DUed
Freight Rates Surge as Capacity Constraints Hit
We are well past the major weather disruptions to freight - the bears have run out of reasons to avoid rate inflation. The market melt up is real.
Trucking Spot Rates Stay Elevated Amid War, Fuel Worries
Despite concerns about the war and fuel, the clearing price for trucking spot rates (i.e. what a broker must pay to move a load) has remain elevated the entire time. https://t.co/qu4A4SUtFm
Building a User‑Friendly Tool Discovery Platform: Vision & Challenges
Learn about the vision, initial steps, and challenges faced in creating a user-friendly platform to easily find the right tools. Stream now: 🔗 https://t.co/bNZWCzgLQ6 📽️ https://t.co/4w5Ib6cmK1 🔗https://t.co/DmYp21N5Kv #MachineShop #Motool #MachinistTools #ProductivityTools https://t.co/Rg7LoCf7Ko
Southern California Tender Rejections Hit 2022 Highs, Signaling Bullish Outlook
Tender rejection rates out of Southern California have surpassed 2022 levels, the start of the Great Freight Recession. This is extremely bullish because volumes are at their softest levels out of LA we will see all year, as S Cal...
Oil Futures Signal Long-Term Impact From Iran War
It's not just a blip. Increasingly oil futures markets are suggesting that the Iran war is going to have (or has already had) effects that will last for years. https://t.co/j23M3zH7AL
Bullish Freight Market Forces Shippers to Accept Higher Rates
The freight market is growing more bullish as we head into one of the busiest parts of the trucking calendar. And we are starting to see the West Coast pull up. Shippers that refuse higher rates risk having trucks not...
IMO Vows to Evacuate Stranded Seafarers From Hormuz
IMO pledges to try to get the seafarers out of Hormuz ▶️Secretary-general to work with Gulf states, shipping industry to evacuate stranded ships ▶️IMO agrees non-binding declaration condemning attacks on merchant vessels ▶️Countries will look to prioritise help for stranded ships, but whatever...
US Pushes to Scrap IMO’s Net Zero Framework
US calls for abandonment of IMO’s NZF Battle lines are being drawn at the IMO as the US lines up to sink the IMO’s Net Zero Framework. https://t.co/KopmdjQtyX
Multiple Disruptions Deepen Global Shipping Crisis
Qatar LNG damage, Yanbu strikes and Hormuz toll threats deepen shipping crisis https://t.co/dzTlspObS5 via @splash_247
US May Permit Iran Oil Sales to Boost Supply
Bessent: U.S. May Allow Iran to Sell Oil in Order to Increase Supply https://t.co/cJQjJqRa54 #maritime #maritime-news
Saudi Arabia Reacts to Red Sea Terminal Attacks
Saudi Arabia Loses Patience as Red Sea Terminal and Refinery are Targeted https://t.co/h5gLCYvxMc #maritime #maritime-news
Weekly Reverse Logistics Update: CEVA, DHL, Harrod's Highlights
For those folks into #reverselogistics, the weekly Reverse News is out - https://t.co/8wE4VjmGLh News from CEVA Logistics, DHL Supply Chain, Harrod's and more. 🙂
Supply Chains Hide Modern Slavery: Professionals Must Act
Many of the goods & services we enjoy in rich countries are produced by people trapped in modern slavery. Are we *really* doing our best in the #procurement & #supplychain profession 2 prioritize “supply chain slavery” in corporate agendas? ➤ https://t.co/JithZETfO9 #slavery
Pre‑conflict Contracts Shield Now; Future Rates Rise
For brands that locked in rates before the conflict, the immediate hit is cushioned, but those contracts expire, and the spot market is where the new baseline is set. https://t.co/I3U08aqByK
Zipline Revolutionizes Global Delivery Using Autonomous Drones
How Zipline Is Transforming Global Delivery with #Autonomous #Drones by @zipline #SupplyChain #Automation #Logistics https://t.co/9ugQN3qYXp
Reopening Hormuz: Ships, Unsanctioned Oil, Jones Act Waiver
How to Reopen Hormuz? March 19 Update 1⃣Ships and Crew in the Persian Gulf 2⃣Un-sanction Russian and Iranian Oil? 3⃣60-Day Waiver of the Jones Act Video: https://t.co/OAncFtYXq3 https://t.co/bT8EcElDOE
China-Iran Deal Evident as Hong Kong Bulker Navigates Strait
Looks like China had a deal with Iran as the Hong Kong-owned Panama-flagged bulker Jia Xiang Da sailed right down the Strait with AIS blasting on March 16. https://t.co/9NexOw93gc
FedEx Ground Gains Share, Beats UPS in Growth
FedEx's U.S. Ground revenue per package was 5.5% compared to same quarter 2025. U.S. Ground ADV (commercial + home delivery) increased 4.0% for the same period. It looks like they may have taken volume from UPS. I'll need...
Qatar's Gas Strike Halts 30% of Global Nitrogen Fertilizer
The real problem is nitrogen-based fertilizers, which are, as a rule, derived from oil-based naphtha or natural gas. Currently, Qatar takes natural gas produced at its South Pars gas field, which was recently struck by Iran, to make ammonia and...
FedEx Earnings Preview: What to Expect Today
I've had my head buried in work today and forgot to share that FedEx reports later today. I'll have a blog post on my thoughts either tomorrow or Saturday (heading back to SC tomorrow (😉) Here's a good article from Barron's...
Bezos Plans $100B Fund to Automate Manufacturing with AI
"Jeff Bezos is in early talks to raise $100 billion for a new fund that would buy up manufacturing companies and seek to use AI technology to accelerate their path to automation." https://t.co/UmA1I3g0xp
Apple Shifts Production: 25% of iPhones Made in India
Apple Now Makes About 25% of iPhones in India After China Pivot. More on this in the Chartbook Top Links today. https://t.co/qnDkCJRBFG
OOCL SUNFLOWER Collapse Triggers Cargo Delays, Inspections
The vessel OOCL SUNFLOWER encountered heavy weather en-route to Long Beach and suffered a container stack collapse. Flexport has begun notifying all customers with cargo on the ship to expect delays and inspect any containers that arrive for damaged goods....
EU and Australia Near Trade Deal Completion Next Week
The world moves on: "EU, Australia set to conclude trade talks early next week" https://t.co/0QuEvOaog1
Ernest King Lifted Oil Sanctions on Japan During War
Ernest King famously allowed the Japanese to keep trading oil and lifted sanctions on them in the middle of the war.
Inside Jobs Fuel Freight Fraud and Cargo Theft
A lot of freight fraud and cargo theft happens via inside jobs. Criminal gangs send low level foot soldiers into these jobs
Hormuz Shutdown Spikes Oil, Derails Bitcoin Rate‑cut Hopes
The Strait of Hormuz carries roughly 20% of the world's oil supply. Iran has now completely disrupted it and Brent crude surged to $115 this morning. The Fed can't cut its way through a supply shock. And Bitcoin's entire bull case for...
Tesla Builds 10 GWh LFP Plant in Nevada with Chinese Tech
The Electric: U.S. is Challenging China's Dominance of Iron Batteries But. Tesla plans to start making 10 GWh of LFP batteries in Nevada starting later this year, using equipment it bought from China’s battery behemoth, Contemporary Amperex Technology. https://t.co/hMdCh5S1di
Seven Critical Supply G
Seven key demands for products/supply impacted by the Iran war. What if inventories are insufficient or are depleted? Alternatives in small windows?
European Freight Rates Set to Drop as Diesel Soars
[Editor's Pick] European Freight Rates Face Immediate Corrections on Soaring Diesel Prices - https://t.co/0yXOKgPT8A @TransporeonUS @TrimbleCorpNews #dieselprices #EU #trucking #transportation #logistics #supplychain
Iran Conflict Threatens Chip Makers' Middle East Fuel Supply
"Iran war could cause supply chain kinks: Taiwan and Korea, top chip producers, rely on the Middle East for nearly 70% of their crude oil imports, and 20-25% of LNG imports." - BofA on AI capex
Iran Seeks Strait Tolls, Turning Conflict Into Revenue
Iran. Proposes tolls on maritime for transiting the Strait of Hormuz. If they can pull it off, Iran would gain a revenue benefit from the war.
Customs Audits Reveal Hidden Tariff Overpayments
You’re probably overpaying tariffs. A lot. Complexity, classification errors, outdated rates and fragmented data often hide the problem. Customs audits expose it – and recover the money. If you import at scale, this is worth a read: https://t.co/LSAQcgO4D5 #customsaudit https://t.co/5ImA8wSHUS
