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ESG & Regulation

DHL, Vinted expand German circular fashion logistics

DHL and Vinted are expanding their partnership in Germany to support the booming second-hand fashion market. The global second-hand market is valued at US$210-220bn, growing 3x faster than firsthand sales. DHL plans to grow its locker network from 18,500 to more than 30,000 locations by 2030, with 67% of German online shoppers already selling items via marketplaces. The partnership combines Vinted's 17 million UK users with DHL's 41,000 parcel points to make circular fashion logistics more accessible.

2026-08-10

Disruptions

Singapore climate envoy: climate is ‘mother’ of supply chain disruption

Singapore's climate action ambassador Ravi Menon called climate change the "mother of all" supply chain disruptions at the Bloomberg Sustainable Business Summit 2026. Using El Niño as an example, he explained how climate events cascade through food systems, hydroelectric power, and energy supply chains. Menon also highlighted grid infrastructure and battery storage as key investment opportunities, arguing that private capital must complement public and philanthropic funding to drive climate action.

2026-08-10

Disruptions

BHP faces A$120M/day loss as 48-hour Port Hedland strike looms

BHP faces a A$120 million per day revenue loss as a 48-hour strike at Port Hedland, the world's largest iron ore export terminal, begins August 8, 2026. The two-phase action by the Combined Ports Unions involves ~150 workers, targeting ship-loading and full operations. With 256.9 million tonnes exported in FY2026, the disruption tests supply chain resilience.

2026-08-10

Logistics & Transport

NRF: Early peak shipping season to subside in September

The National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates report that the early peak shipping season is ending, with U.S. port imports expected to decline for the rest of 2026. May was the busiest month at 2.24 million TEU. Tariff changes and supply chain disruptions drove retailers to pull forward orders. Consumer spending remains resilient. Full-year 2026 imports are projected at 25.5 million TEU, up 0.1% from 2025.

2026-08-10

Supply Chain

China’s exports rise 14%, imports up 22% amid trade war resilience

China’s foreign trade rose 17.3% to ¥30.13 trillion in the first seven months of 2026, with exports up 14% and imports surging 22%. High-tech exports jumped over 50% in July, accounting for nearly 60% of monthly export growth. U.S.-China trade fell 1.6%, while ties with over 180 countries—including ASEAN and the EU—expanded. Green exports like EVs and lithium batteries posted double-digit growth for the 17th straight month. China also applies zero tariffs to imports from 63 countries.

2026-08-10

Southeast Asia Supply Chain

Indonesian Manufacturing Exports Rise 7.37% in H1 2026

Indonesia’s manufacturing exports rose 7.37% in H1 2026, driving non-oil-and-gas export growth to US$134.58 billion — up 4.90% YoY. Processed nickel, CPO, and aluminum led gains. In June alone, manufacturing exports hit US$20.88 billion (85.6% of nonmigas total), buoyed by 69.30% YoY growth in nickel shipments. China remained the top destination (US$34.56 billion, +18.10%), followed by the US (US$15.82 billion) and India (US$9.25 billion), together capturing 44.31% of total nonmigas exports.

2026-08-10

Southeast Asia Supply Chain

Vietnam Logistics Expo Draws 450 Firms Amid Đồng Nai Multimodal Push

Vietnam's logistics sector is undergoing rapid digital and green transformation, highlighted by the 450-company Vietnam International Logistics Exhibition 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. Policy leaders stress integration of digital tools, sustainability, and multimodal connectivity to cut costs and boost export competitiveness. Đồng Nai province leverages its industrial parks, Phước An Port, Long Thành Airport, and highway networks to build a logistics ecosystem — aiming to shift from manufacturing base to regional distribution and value-addition hub.

2026-08-10

Manufacturing

TSMC revenue up 33.7%, ASML ships 86 lithography machines

TSMC reported $40.2 billion in Q2 2026 revenue — up 33.7% year-on-year — with 2-nm process contributing 3% of sales. ASML shipped 86 new lithography machines in the same quarter, boosting revenue to €9.32 billion ($10.69 billion). TSMC holds 73% of the global foundry market, while ASML’s EUV tools remain essential for sub-3-nm chip production. Both companies’ five-year net income grew over 90% (ASML) and 251% (TSMC). TSMC’s $100 billion Arizona expansion will support 2-nm manufacturing and advanced packaging.

2026-08-10

Latin America Supply Chain

UnionPay plugs Chinese apps into Brazil’s Pix after US tariffs

UnionPay International is connecting Chinese mobile payment apps—including the UnionPay app and bank-linked wallets—to Brazil’s Pix instant payment system, enabling Chinese tourists to scan QR codes and pay in real time. The pilot launches in Q3 2026 amid U.S. tariffs targeting Pix’s regulatory model. Pix, launched in November 2020, serves 15 million merchants and processes over 1.2 billion transactions monthly. The integration marks UnionPay’s first direct linkage with a non-Asian national real-time payment system and reflects growing financial infrastructure alignment between China and Latin America.

2026-08-10

AI & Automation

BlueGrace acquires Idaho 3PL Truk TMS to expand Pacific Northwest LTL

BlueGrace Logistics has acquired Idaho-based third-party logistics provider Truk TMS to strengthen its presence in the Pacific Northwest. The deal brings Truk TMS—previously a BlueGrace partner—fully into the company’s ecosystem, granting its customers access to BlueGrace’s Managed Logistics platform and BlueShip technology. Financial terms remain undisclosed. BlueGrace, headquartered in Tampa, Florida, serves over 10,000 customers from nine offices across the U.S. and Mexico and operates a carrier network exceeding 250,000. As a Warburg Pincus portfolio company, BlueGrace previously acquired STB Freight Group and FreightCenter in 2025. Truk TMS CEO Mark Barnes emphasized continuity of service backed by expanded capabilities.

2026-08-10