Blanked Sailings Impact Supply Chains

Ocean shipping has become very difficult to plan in recent years.

Various disruptions have occurred, including COVID-related port closures, wars such as the Iran war impacting the Strait of Hormuz, and weather events such as reduced ship traffic through the Panama Canal due to droughts.

To further complicate ocean shipments, many shippers have increased blanked sailings. This happens when ocean carriers cancel a port stop or even an entire ship’s route. Shippers cite several reasons for blanked sailings, including bypassing a port […]

General Motors Parts Agreement Addresses Supply Chain Challenges

General Motors (GM) agreed to a financing arrangement with Procura Auto Parts LLC, a supply-chain management firm, to secure critical parts for continuous production amid supply chain disruptions.

Under the arrangement, Procura will prepay suppliers and store inventory on behalf of GM. Once the inventory is consumed in production, GM will repay Procura with irrevocable payment undertakings backed by a bank syndicate.


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Chinese Auto Exports Strain Shipping Capacity

China’s vehicle exports strain global shipping industry capacity.

Despite a 40% expansion of global car-carrier fleet and a 65% increase in charter rates, global shipping capacity falls short of China’s export supply of 10 million vehicles this year. Some Chinese automakers are shipping cars in standard containers.


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This post is based on the investingLive […]

The Great KitKat Heist of 2026

In late March 2026, a truckload of over four hundred thousand KitKat bars was stolen in Italy, en route to Poland.

The truck was stopped by thieves who posed as police officers. The driver was restrained, but was unharmed. The truck and the cargo have not been recovered.

The KitKat bars were a special Formula 1 edition, reflecting the brand’s status as the Official Chocolate Bar of Formula 1. The candy bars were intended for distribution across Europe.

Nestlé was quick to respond. […]

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