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
Prefer Energy Supplies That Bypass Religious Conflict Zones
1. Buy your needed energy inputs from a region that needs to traverse a religious war zone 2. Buy your needed energy inputs from a region that does not need to traverse a religious war zone
Middle East LNG Disruption
Disruption of LNG supplies from Middle East showing what an excellent idea it has been from our wonderful political class to run down the North Sea.
Airlines Face Jet Fuel Shortage, Cancellations Loom
Airlines have been warned that they will face jet fuel shortages as soon as next month, risking flight cancellations
Brent Surge Won’t Reach $150‑$200 Amid Capacity Limits
Brent is up 70% in the past month. This prices Strait of Hormuz tanker traffic at half its capacity indefinitely. With the Saudis diverting lots of oil to the Red Sea and Iran continuing to export, we're already almost at...
Robotics Revolutionizes Supply Chain, Logistics, and Warehousing
#WhosNext? Mail sorters? Package sorters? Just look at the revolution in #SupplyChain, #Logistics and #Warehouse Operations that #Robotics makes possible. Amazing or what? (GiGadgets) https://t.co/dDvWhJ7TkA
Gas Prices Won’t Fall: Global Supply, Not Local Shortages
This won't lower gasoline prices. The issue is overall global supply and not acute domestic shortages caused by transportation shortfalls.
US Navy Holds Power to Shut Strategic Strait
Only if the United States lets them. The US Navy can close the strait at anytime to anyone paying the enemy.
Saudi Crude Loadings Persist Despite Red Sea Attack Rumors
Lots of chatter in the oil market about whether a Saudi refinery in the Red Sea was attacked or not. One thing, however, appears clear: crude loadings at Yanbu and Al Muajjiz continue as normal, with 4 tankers getting their...
Freight Broker Roles: Notoriously Hard to Explain Outside Trucking
Trying to explain the role of a freight broker to anyone outside the trucking industry is…. Challenging.
Container Congestion Relaxes Post‑Iran Shock, Rates Stay High
Container port congestion eases after initial Iran shock Initial disruption to container supply chains from the Middle East crisis appears to have eased but rates remain elevated. https://t.co/fvMVOw29Pz
Compliance Crackdown Shrinks Capacity, Tightening Freight Market
I am convinced there are just some folks in freight that just want truckers to suffer more. They will tell you that the compliance developments won’t be impactful. Then the market tightens. You ask them if it’s volume, they say...
IMO Condemns Iran Shipping Attacks, 92 Nations Support
IMO states condemn Iran’s attacks on shipping ▶️92 countries back motion for declaration condemning Iran ▶️China said such a motion ‘not conducive to solving the issue’ ▶️Iran says it is acting in self-defence in response to US and Israeli attacks https://t.co/g2z8WA9O2b’s-attacks-on-shipping
Cosco Tankers Poised to Exit Gulf Amid Hormuz Speculation
Cosco tankers positioned to exit Middle East Gulf as speculation mounts over Hormuz crossing ▶️Cosco and China Merchants shares rallied on unverified reports that Chinese shipowners have been told to prepare for Hormuz transit ▶️Seven Cosco tankers are gathered in central Middle...
Push for Black Sea‑style Safe Corridor in Hormuz
Call for a Black Sea-style safe shipping corridor for Hormuz ▶️States, industry groups looking for ways to resupply stranded ships and change crews ▶️IMO could ‘encourage’ a safe shipping corridor, but it would need countries to implement it ▶️Russia blasts lack of regard...
Post‑war Tanker Boom Ends, Crude Lifts Plunge Sharply
Concerns mount over rate hangover after wartime tanker boom ends ▶️Global seaborne crude liftings volume plunged last week; alternatives to MEG are replacing only half of lost VLCC tonne-mile demand, according to Vortexa ⏩️Oil at ses is down ⏩️Nobody will keep oil at...
ATA’s Endorsement Signals Crucial Congressional Influence
We are all critical of the ATA, but having the organization endorse this law is very important. The ATA is a very important lobbyist group that has an outsized influence on Congress. They are on the right side of history...