AGP Executive Report

Port & Shipping Disruption: PortXchange warns record congestion is exposing a “collaboration problem,” with 4.3M TEU waiting to berth and storms in East Asia worsening schedule chaos. Black Sea / Dry Bulk: Xclusiv says Black Sea dry bulk is in a weaker summer phase, with Russia-Ukraine exports and voyages down sharply versus spring. Middle East Shipping Risk: Strait of Hormuz tensions keep pressure on shipping and energy costs; U.S. VP JD Vance says no talks with Iran unless it stops firing on commercial vessels. China Weather Shock: Typhoon Saudel’s third Fujian landfall follows last week’s eastern China port closures, with delays topping 10 days in places. Port Industry Platform: Hamburg’s ALL ABOUT PORTS drew 1,100+ attendees to tackle resilient, future-ready port operations. Logistics Tech & Automation: Arrive AI will present at H.C. Wainwright’s global investment conference, pitching secure “last-mile” autonomy endpoints. Energy & Infrastructure: Oman and Kuwait discussed transport/logistics cooperation at Duqm Port; Canada broke ground on B.C.’s North Coast Transmission Line to expand clean power for major projects. CO₂ Supply Expansion: Gulf Cryo plans to nearly double regional liquid CO₂ capacity to 1,300 MTPD by end-2026, with UAE ramp-up flexibility.

Data-centre power race: Vertiv agreed to buy UtilityInnovation Group for about $1.45bn cash (plus up to $1.15bn earnout), adding microgrid controls and behind-the-meter power to speed AI data-centre deployment. Middle East security & trade: China and Egypt pledged deeper security and tech cooperation, including support for data centres, semiconductors and critical minerals, plus more use of local currencies. Shipping chokepoint pressure: With Strait of Hormuz traffic still below recent averages, the IMF warned disruption is raising borrowing costs and inflation risks for developing economies. Hormuz risk on the water: Bahri said two Filipino sailors died after an incident involving a Saudi tanker while transiting the strait amid renewed US-Iran strikes. Logistics digitisation: Yokogawa will distribute BuyCo’s container transportation management system to materials firms, aiming to link planning, booking, tracking and forecasting. Energy storage & cyber risk: A UK report put a 93% chance of a major BESS attack in five years, warning of potential nationwide outage impacts. Battery/EV supply innovation: NIT Rourkela patented a hybrid battery-supercapacitor design to cut stress and extend EV battery life. Cross-border parcels: Poșta Română partnered with Temu to run integrated parcel pickup, sorting and last-mile delivery, boosting Romania’s gateway role. Manufacturing momentum: Vietnam’s PMI rose to 53.3 in August, with output growing fastest in just over two years.

Maritime Security & Trade Disruption: Yemen’s Mokha port damage from Houthi attacks has forced operations to pause, with FEWS NET warning of knock-on effects for shipping, insurance costs, and food insecurity as Bab al-Mandab traffic and tanker movements fall sharply. Strait of Hormuz Tensions: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait condemned Iran-linked attacks on the Saudi tanker Sidr, killing two Filipino crew, while the wider tanker-for-tanker escalation keeps maritime risk premiums elevated. Port Operations: At India’s Mundra, APSEZ’s new rules for empty-container movements are rippling beyond depots to transporters and lines, raising concerns about whether capacity and timing are ready for exporters’ daily cycles. Decarbonizing Shipping: NORDEN, Microsoft, and RSB completed a first-of-its-kind verified maritime emissions-reduction pilot using the RSB Book & Claim registry, aiming to cut emissions now without waiting for specific sustainable fuels. Logistics Infrastructure: Cartersville, Georgia is set to see a Grassdale Logistics Center proposal for 1.08M sq ft, targeting 550 jobs and heavy daily truck traffic. Autonomous Cargo: Elroy Air completed the first uncrewed autonomous flights under the U.S. DOT/FAA eVTOL Integration Pilot Program in Houma, Louisiana, signaling a step toward commercial drone cargo operations.

Strait of Hormuz Security: Bahri reported two Filipino seafarers killed after an attack on its tanker SIDR, as mine and strike risks keep disrupting shipping through the world’s key chokepoint. Port & Trade Capacity: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cleared a permit for the $2.6bn Louisiana International Terminal, aiming to ease bottlenecks at New Orleans. Cold Chain Expansion: Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC) completed early frozen bulk vessel operations in Oman and is extending cross-border frozen distribution into Qatar and beyond. AI Data Centers & Warehousing: PwC forecasts global data center spending to reach $31.6T by 2050 on AI demand, while Swisslog will showcase next-gen warehouse automation in Riyadh. Energy Storage Buildout: BW ESS acquired 126MW of Spain BESS projects; UK construction starts on a 200MW/857MWh Berkswell BESS; and the UAE energy storage market is projected to hit ~$3.25bn by 2030. Logistics Finance & Bottlenecks: Hanoi businesses urged action on capital and logistics bottlenecks to protect export margins. Regional Trade Links: Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan agreed to raise bilateral trade to $200m via a new action plan.

Middle East Shipping Risk: The US began fresh strikes on Iran, with CENTCOM citing IRGC attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz—raising fears of renewed route disruption and oil-price pressure. Gulf Security & Energy: Saudi and Omani leaders met in Jeddah to discuss regional security as the US-Iran war threatens shipping and energy supplies across the Gulf. Maritime Intelligence & Trade Security: US officials allege COSCO hid spying equipment on commercial ships near the US, prompting calls for safeguards around ports and supply chains. China-Egypt Pivot: Xi Jinping’s Egypt visit aims to protect economic interests and coordinate amid Iran-war fallout, including Red Sea and Hormuz shipping concerns. Decarbonizing Shipping: Lloyd’s Register says onboard carbon capture and storage could cut CO2 for parts of the existing fleet, especially where carbon pricing and CO2 offload chains exist. Bunker Market Watch: August bunker pricing stayed volatile on Hormuz risk, distillate tightness, and low-sulphur supply imbalances. US Logistics Contracting: Baton Rouge’s APTIM won a Navy fuel infrastructure contract vehicle worth up to $997M for global POL storage and pipeline work. Digital Trade Paperwork: Utah fully launched a digital apostille program for international document authentication. Customs Enforcement: Guam customs found tampering and missing items tied to broken shipping seals, pushing for higher-security seal rules. Energy Storage for Logistics: Inmarsat launched a Maritime Safety Data Hub using GMDSS broadcasts to spot patterns linking weather, operations, and geopolitical instability to safety risk.

Cold Chain Expansion: Peregrine Cold Logistics entered Indonesia via a JV with Sinar Primera, buying a Pluit facility and building a greenfield site in Narogong for about 35,000 sqm of tier-one cold storage, aiming to plug Indonesia into its ASEAN and GCC network. Warehousing Buildout (India): Sumadhura Group will invest ₹400 crore to develop a 52-acre Grade A industrial and logistics park in Chennai’s Red Hills (CPRR), delivering 1.2 million sq ft by Dec 2028. Ukraine Logistics Disruption: Russia has destroyed about 90% of Ukraine’s retail-chain warehouse capacity, pushing retailers toward smaller, dispersed “from the wheels” deliveries and raising supply-chain risk-sharing calls. Energy Storage & Grid Projects: Capalo AI and Future Energy will manage a 56 MW / 168 MWh BESS in Lithuania (Raseiniai) for market trading and grid services, while SPIE Belgium won balance-of-plant work for two ~150 MWh battery projects in Belgium targeting 2027 commissioning. Shipping & Decarbonisation: Cyprus opened four days of IMO shipping emissions talks in London, seeking workable global rules to avoid costly fragmented regional requirements. Middle East Risk to Trade: Oil jumped above $91 as US-Iran tensions revived Strait of Hormuz disruption fears, with visible tanker traffic reported at historically low levels.

Strait of Hormuz Tensions: CENTCOM says Iran is trying to intimidate commercial shipping with disinformation after claims of tanker incidents and mine-related threats; the latest U.S.-Iran exchange has oil markets reacting again. Sanctions & Shipping Compliance: The U.S. Treasury launched “Operation Economic Outcast,” expanding Iran-related OFAC sanctions exposure and issuing added guidance tied to shipping activities, while suspending some general licenses. Cold-Chain Deal: Americold closed its $1.3B North American cold storage joint venture with EQT, with Americold taking net cash proceeds to cut leverage and fund long-term growth. Defense Supply Chain Boost: Florida announced nearly $23M for its defense industrial base and workforce, supporting shipbuilding, aerospace, and maritime-related projects. Local Logistics & Storage: TPG bought a Leominster, Massachusetts self-storage property for about $7.9M, signaling continued investor appetite for storage even as occupancy softens. Red Sea Security: Yemen’s navy reported intercepting explosive-laden boats near key islands, underscoring ongoing risks to regional shipping lanes.

Hormuz Security & Shipping: The US says it cleared Iranian sea mines from international shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, but CENTCOM still flags “severe” threats and tanker attacks keep oil flows well below prewar levels, pushing crude above $90/bbl and adding uncertainty for global trade. Freight Costs & Congestion: Container rates are edging higher as global port congestion tops 4.3 million TEU queued, with East Asia disruptions and Panama Canal slot reductions supporting firmer freight pricing. New Logistics Capacity: Cambodia broke ground on a $300m Cambodia SuperPort logistics and industrial complex in Kampong Speu, aiming to speed multimodal goods movement and regional market access. Energy Storage for Grid Reliability: Chandigarh signed a 25-year PPA for 50MW solar plus battery storage via India’s ISTS network, while SK On secured a US LFP BESS supply and repurchase framework with NeoVolta. Trade & Corridors: Kyrgyzstan and China advanced plans for logistics centers and industrial sites along the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, with customs digitization at key checkpoints to cut cargo delays. Cold-Chain Logistics: Kenya is boosting medical cold-chain capacity, including dry-ice access, to protect samples for research and disease surveillance. Fuel Price Pressure: South Africa warned of sharp diesel and petrol increases from Sept. 2 as Middle East conflict lifts international oil costs.

Strait of Hormuz Security: US forces report striking two IRGC rocket launchers on Lark Island as they complete mine-clearing to keep commercial shipping moving; tensions remain high as attacks and mine risks continue to shape route planning. Shipping Capacity & Fleet Investment: COSCO commits to 18 more containerships worth about $3bn, including 12 LNG dual-fuel megamaxes and six feeder ships, pushing 2026 spending to roughly $8bn. Maritime Disruption in Russia: Ozon’s Belgorod logistics hub was hit in an attack, triggering evacuation and a temporary pause in deliveries while routes are reviewed. Cold Chain & Food Logistics: Africa’s temperature-controlled logistics leaders will meet at GCCA Africa Cold Chain Conference in Johannesburg to push industry dialogue and resilience. Industrial Corridors in India: Andhra Pradesh is redesigning its industrial push around regional growth corridors and port-linked manufacturing nodes, aiming to spread supply chains and jobs beyond established hubs. Fuel Price Pressure: US gasoline remains sensitive to global oil and shipping disruptions tied to the Middle East, with localized price swings continuing into late August. Food Export Flows: Egypt exported about 172,000 tonnes of food products in one week, with Safaga Port leading consignment counts.

Strait of Hormuz Shock: With US-Iran tensions dragging on, reporting says tanker traffic has collapsed to about five ships a day versus ~100 pre-crisis, raising the risk of supply buffers running out and pushing up global fuel costs. Port Performance: Sri Lanka’s Port of Colombo jumped to 20th globally in first-half 2026 container rankings, handling 4.44M TEUs (+11.9% YoY) and reinforcing its role as an Indian Ocean transshipment hub. Logistics Disruption: Ukraine drone strikes hit Russian logistics facilities, with Ozon confirming an attack on a Rostov warehouse and rerouting deliveries. Energy Infrastructure Hardening: The UAE is installing “cope cages” around oil and fuel tanks in Abu Dhabi to blunt drone attacks and protect storage operations. Cross-Border Trade & Investment: Mubadala Capital plans to buy a majority stake in North American truckload broker Arrive Logistics, aiming to scale technology and service offerings. Digital Sovereignty: Kyrgyzstan’s SCO agenda is pushing regional data processing and AI development, framing data control as a strategic, security-linked issue. Fuel Price Pressure (US): GasBuddy reports continued volatility in US gasoline and diesel pricing, with local lows still tied to broader Middle East shipping and refinery constraints.

Maritime Security & Energy Corridors: The Strait of Hormuz remains a key risk point as the US and regional partners report mine-clearing and “open” lanes, while Gulf states accelerate port and pipeline investment to reroute trade and cut reliance on the chokepoint. Nuclear Logistics: Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia plant is down to emergency diesel with only about 10 days of fuel on site, as off-site power and secure supply routes remain unstable. Shipping & Industrial Investment: Maersk says it wants direct investment in Bangladesh shipbuilding (and also ship recycling), signaling more capital tied to vessel supply chains. Port & Inland Connectivity: Ghana’s Tema Port faces congestion, high logistics costs, and weak inland links; Oro Oil calls for road upgrades, digitalization, and better corridor coordination. Food Supply Chain Pressure: A Wall Street Journal column warns the US could face a fertilizer-driven food crisis as global fertilizer supply tightens amid conflict and shipping disruptions. Regional Trade & Infrastructure Planning: Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchi pushes a multi-modal inland container depot study to strengthen export logistics. Cold-Chain & Power Storage: California’s Bellefield battery expansion targets 1 GW by November, highlighting grid reliability needs that also affect logistics planning.

Strait of Hormuz Shipping Stress: The IMO says about 400 vessels and 6,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf, with the waterway still “largely closed” and 70 shipping attacks verified since the conflict began—raising fresh supply-chain risk for fuel and fertilizers. Middle East Route Talks: Iran and Oman discussed a temporary corridor through the Strait, with Iran tying any wider reopening to U.S. conditions, while the U.S. says mines have been cleared and lanes are open. Russia Logistics Hit: Ukrainian drones struck Ozon and DNS logistics sites in Russia’s Rostov region, triggering fires and adding to disruption fears for warehousing and regional shipping. Ukraine Transport Targets: Russian strikes damaged warehouses and transport infrastructure around Kyiv, underscoring how logistics nodes are being hit alongside front-line areas. Energy Trade Financing: Argentina secured $900m in international loan funding for its Vaca Muerta LNG pipeline project, aimed at exports starting late 2027. India Fuel Cost Pressure: Delhi’s CNG price jumped after global LNG spikes, with transport bodies threatening a Sept 9 strike that could ripple into broader logistics costs. Water & Flood Storage Planning: Philippines’ Central Luzon is pursuing upstream sabo dams to slow floodwaters and boost storage, while Nepal seeks specialized technical aid to restore transport corridors after glacier floods.

Strait of Hormuz Shipping Security: The IMO says at least 70 attacks on international shipping have been verified in the past six months, with 19 seafarers killed, urging practical steps to restore freedom of navigation as hundreds of vessels remain unable to depart safely. Maritime Operations: CENTCOM says U.S. forces cleared Iranian sea mines and reopened key Hormuz lanes, while tanker traffic shows signs of recovery—still leaving costs and risk elevated. Port Disruption: Russia’s Rostov Oblast declared a state of emergency after port shutdowns halted agricultural exports, with producers accumulating stock due to drone-linked shipping disruptions. Logistics Infrastructure: Canada opened the $750m CANXPORT transloading hub at Prince Rupert, targeting up to 400k TEUs annually (scalable to 750k) to speed exports to Asia. Automation in Warehousing: Hai Robotics says more than 10,000 HaiClimber robots are now deployed across five continents, signaling continued warehouse automation scale-up. Corporate Finance for Supply Chains: FORTNA agreed a debt-for-equity recapitalization with lenders, aiming to strengthen its balance sheet for distribution and fulfillment projects. Energy Storage & Grid Planning: Elkhart, Indiana paused new data center and battery storage reviews to develop standards, while Delmarva Power pushes ahead with battery storage plans amid regulatory friction. Trade/Finance Pressure: The U.S. moved to cut Banque Misr UAE off from the U.S. financial system under sanctions targeting Iran-linked lifelines. Safety & Human Impact: Houston investigators probe a fatal incident where a 23-year-old was found pinned beneath a shipping container at a wharf.

Strait of Hormuz Logistics Shock: The U.S. says pipelines could make Hormuz “irrelevant,” but analysts warn infrastructure won’t replace shipping capacity fast enough, keeping prices pressured. Iran, meanwhile, is drafting conditions for reopening and discussing a temporary corridor with Oman, while regional powers push for an off-ramp as mine and tanker risks persist. Fuel & Storage Policy: Romania is moving to authorize permits for emergency petroleum reserves, aiming to tighten standards and reporting. Energy Infrastructure & Security: Trump’s national emergency targets foreign-made equipment for the U.S. power grid, with restrictions that also reach inverters and battery storage systems. Trade Route Economics: Panama Canal passage is getting pricier as drought and congestion bite; SK Gas reportedly paid a record auction price for LPG transit. Regional Trade Corridors: Azerbaijan is boosting the Middle Corridor’s role with rising Port of Baku transshipment volumes and more cargo tracking across rail and sea links. Logistics Business Moves: UPS is expanding healthcare logistics with a $2bn+ push, while Nigeria targets $12bn investment to scale its halal economy, explicitly including logistics. Asia Real Estate Demand: India’s office market stays resilient as GCCs drive leasing, supporting logistics-adjacent demand for institutional-grade space. Ports & Disruption: Port congestion is worsening in container shipping, adding to the cost of keeping routes open.

Strait of Hormuz Shipping: Iran says it’s preparing a list of conditions to reopen the waterway, including an end to the regional war, while insisting the U.S. lift its “blockade” of Iranian ports and remove sanctions; Iran also says it agreed with Oman on a temporary corridor with ships using a central channel if U.S. conditions are met, as transit remains far below prewar levels. Black Sea Disruption: MSC has suspended bookings for Novorossiysk after drone strikes, pushing customers toward alternatives like St. Petersburg operations. Grid Security & Logistics Risk: Trump declared a national emergency to restrict foreign-made equipment tied to the U.S. power grid, a move that could affect energy supply chains supporting data centers and industrial loads. Air Cargo Expansion (India): FedEx will invest $150M in an automated air cargo hub at Delhi airport, boosting throughput and consolidating international processing. Warehousing (U.S.): Averitt opened a 100,000-sq-ft Jackson, Mississippi distribution and fulfillment facility to serve major freight corridors. Energy Storage Scrutiny (U.S.): New York’s Montauk battery project faces renewed local scrutiny over spill containment claims after issues at a similar facility. Maritime Climate Policy: The Clean Shipping Coalition urged IMO members to keep backing the Net-Zero Framework ahead of key talks.

Transport Policy: Zambia is drafting a new 10-year National Transport and Logistics Policy (2026–2036) after reviewing the 2019–2028 plan, with the World Bank-funded TRACER project guiding the work. Port & Safety: A new push argues container shipping must screen dangerous goods earlier at booking, citing rising vessel fires and the problem of conflicting paperwork across systems. Energy & Storage: India’s GAIL plans pipeline expansion, LNG sourcing and shipping diversification, and more clean-energy investments as Strait of Hormuz disruptions keep energy markets volatile. Logistics Disruption: Ukrainian drones hit Ozon logistics facilities in Russia (Orenburg and near Ufa), forcing limited operations and redirections. Aviation Maintenance: Willis Lease Finance will build a new Willis Engine Repair Center in Johor, Malaysia, expanding Asia-Pacific maintenance and storage capacity. Omnichannel Fulfilment: M&S is scaling its European online DTC fulfilment via ZEOS, cutting delivery times and returns processing. Climate/Disaster Risk: The Philippines’ UPRI-NOAH will expand hazard mapping and flood modeling with a ₱1bn allocation to improve pre-disaster decisions. Maritime Decarbonisation & Rules: The IAEA launched ATLAS to build a regulatory framework for nuclear-powered civilian shipping. Trade & Exports: Zenith Bank rallied stakeholders around Nigeria’s non-oil export push, citing $6.1bn in 2025 exports.