Chemicals & Energy

Biden's $2.25 Trillion Infrastructure Plan Aims to ‘Bring Everybody Along’

March 31, 2021

The “American Jobs Plan,” as the president dubbed it, lays out an eight-year program that includes $620 billion for transportation and $580 billion for American manufacturing.

End of Suez Snarl Marks Beginning of New Stress on Global Trade

March 31, 2021

Bloomberg

The Ever Given leaves in its wake several weeks or months of disruptions across a world economy where the pandemic revealed both the sturdy backbone of global trade and an Achilles’ heel.

Suez Mess Adds to Global Economic, Supply-Chain Stress

March 29, 2021

Bloomberg

The backlog is one more strain for global supply chains already stretched by the pandemic.

Blocked Suez Forces Ships to Look at Long Trip Around Africa

March 25, 2021

Bloomberg

A massive container ship blocking the Suez Canal showed no signs of budging for a third day, forcing container carriers and other vessels to weigh costly and time-consuming voyages around Africa that threaten to destabilize the already fragile underpinnings of global trade.

What’s Backed Up at the Suez Canal? Live Animals, Oil and Food

March 25, 2021

Bloomberg

Crews are still struggling to remove Ever Given, a stranded container ship longer than the Eiffel Tower, and a look at the type of cargoes waiting to pass show the shipping delays will affect a range of industries.

Alternative Energy Is Key to Accelerating the Vaccine Cold Chain

March 24, 2021

Edward Collins, SCB Contributor

In order to successfully eradicate the COVID-19 virus and mitigate proliferation of new strains, we need to significantly improve safe storage and distribution of the vaccines so that more people can be inoculated faster.

Fight Between Commodities Giants and Shippers Leaves Seafarers Stuck

March 23, 2021

Bloomberg

A standoff between commodities giants and shipping companies is prolonging the labor crisis at sea, with an estimated 200,000 seafarers still stuck on their vessels beyond the expiration of their contracts and past the requirements of globally accepted safety standards.

Used Electric Car Batteries Are Heading to Factories and Farms

March 16, 2021

Bloomberg

Retired electric vehicle batteries that are repackaged into energy-storage systems are being targeted at industrial consumers who’ve been slower to adopt the technology than utilities or homeowners.

Huawei Pivots to Fish Farms, Mining After U.S. Blocks Its Phones

March 15, 2021

Bloomberg

Six months after the Trump administration dealt a crushing blow to Huawei Technologies Co.’s smartphone business, the Chinese telecommunications giant is turning to less glamorous alternatives that may eventually offset the decline of its biggest revenue contributor.

VIDEO

Watch: Using Quantum Computing to Optimize Shipping Routes

March 14, 2021

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

A look at the innovative application of quantum computing to the problem of optimizing ship and vehicle routes, with Amy Herhold, Director of Physics and Mathematical Sciences, Corporate Strategic Research with ExxonMobil Research and Engineering, and Jamie Thomas, General Manager of IBM Systems Strategy & Development.

Chemicals & Energy

The latest supply-chain news, analysis, trends and tools for executives in the chemicals and energy industries. Learn how chemical and energy companies and their suppliers around the world are managing the flow of products across all channels of the enterprise. Experts sound off on forecasting and demand planning, supply-chain visibility, logistics outsourcing, inventory optimization, transportation management, warehouse management, supply-chain security, corporate social responsibility and more.