Middle East Shipping Shock: India told the UN Security Council it opposes attacks on merchant vessels and sea lanes, citing deaths and missing crew after incidents off Oman, as the Strait of Hormuz faces renewed disruption risk. Sanctions & Finance: The US Treasury sanctioned Iran’s Nobitex crypto exchange, alleging it helped the IRGC bypass restrictions—another reminder that trade lanes and payments are getting hit together. Energy Storage for Grid Stability: Sri Lanka is pushing battery storage procurement (160 MW completed; more planned) to integrate more renewables by 2030, while Japan is set to press G7 energy-security principles focused on reserves and safe Hormuz navigation. Logistics Infrastructure Push: India’s Indore region approved a new logistics park (₹600 crore expected), and Indonesia plans 100 modern rice warehouses to strengthen food storage and supply resilience. Freight Market Outlook: Transport Intelligence says global freight forwarding hit €208.1bn in 2025 and should grow steadily but slower through 2030 as forwarders lean on tech and value-added services. Shipping Risk at Sea: IMO condemned an attack near Hormuz involving the MT Settebello, with seafarers reported missing. Supply Chain Stress: GEP’s index shows safety stockpiling at a three-year high as shortages and transport costs stay elevated. Industrial Capacity Upgrade: China has started work on a $11.4bn Three Gorges lock expansion to nearly double cargo capacity and ease Yangtze bottlenecks.