AGP Executive Report

Strait of Hormuz Disruption: Iran’s IRGC Navy says it has closed the Strait of Hormuz “until further notice” after warning shots at a vessel using an “unauthorized route,” while the U.S. presses for a public commitment that the corridor stays open—raising fresh alarms for global oil and shipping. Shipping Attacks & Rescue: India condemned an attack on the commercial vessel GFS Galaxy off Oman; 10 Indian nationals were rescued and one remains missing, as regional attacks keep search-and-rescue and rerouting in focus. Maritime Rules: The IMO adopted a Singapore-led resolution urging countries to keep key shipping lanes open, safe, and accessible under international law after Hormuz attacks. Regional Logistics & Workforce: Rock-It opened a Middle East regional HQ in Abu Dhabi, signaling continued investment in specialist transport and bonded storage hubs. Energy-Grid Storage: Pakistan’s energy minister backed BESS as critical for grid stability and renewable integration, while a solar cold-storage upgrade in Haiti targets post-harvest losses for fishers. Risk Beyond Shipping: ASEAN’s Philippines chair called for stronger crisis communication after West Asia tensions exposed vulnerabilities in energy, trade, and food supply chains. Security Spillover: Reports also flag mine-laying risks among fishing boats in Hormuz, adding uncertainty for maritime operations.

Strait of Hormuz Shipping Pledge: The US is pressing Iran for a public commitment to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and safe for shipping as talks continue in Oman, with renewed strikes and counterstrikes rattling global energy markets and raising the risk of supply disruptions. Russia-Syria Trade Logistics: Russia is reportedly aiming for a mid-July start of a commercial logistics hub at Syria’s Tartous port, targeting grain and other goods, as officials dispute details and Washington watches for Moscow’s growing influence. CARICOM Affordability Push: CARICOM leaders and private-sector partners agreed to cut import costs by lowering transport and logistics expenses, easing trade barriers, and advancing a regional ferry service with a September 2026 regulatory deadline. Maritime Workforce & Safety: Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global 2026 named Andreas Nordseth as chair, while the FIA highlighted road-safety management certifications for logistics and carriers at the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo. Energy Storage for Reliability: SmartWatt and BSES formalized demand-side flexibility work in Delhi, and GSL Energy commissioned a 2MW/4.6MWh containerized BESS for a Malaysian shopping mall—both aimed at reducing peak stress and improving resilience. Cross-Border Infrastructure: Canada and Michigan set the Gordie Howe International Bridge opening for July 27, supported by US cooperation and new toll governance and regional investment measures.

Strait of Hormuz Pressure: The US is pushing Iran to publicly confirm the Strait of Hormuz is open and that attacks on commercial vessels will stop, as talks are set to resume in Oman; the demand comes amid claims of internal Iranian hardliners undermining a ceasefire. Energy & Shipping Fallout: Oil prices eased after hopes for smoother shipping, but the latest flare-ups are still rattling global crude and LNG flows, with the strait carrying about one-fifth of world oil trade. Maritime Governance: The IMO’s governing council rejected Iran’s move to set up a body to control strait traffic, urging countries not to recognize Tehran’s sovereignty claims. India Maritime Finance: India eased vessel charter licensing for eligible GIFT City IFSC units to boost ship leasing and maritime finance. Strategic Storage: ONGC approved a 1.75 mt strategic oil reserve in Mangaluru, expanding India’s energy security buffer. Air Cargo Demand: IATA data shows global air cargo demand rose in 2025, with high-value shipments and automotive components continuing to drive growth. Infrastructure Disruption: Japan’s Narita runway expansion is moving ahead via land acquisition procedures, but timing is likely to slip.

Strait of Hormuz Shock: Bahrain urged Iran to stop maritime threats as the IMO rejected Tehran’s bid to control the Strait, while a U.S.-led coalition said it’s ready to defend navigation and reject any transit fees—shipping traffic remains badly disrupted and energy prices stay jumpy. Energy Security Moves: IEA flagged a first annual global oil demand decline since 2020, tied to Middle East conflict and fragile tanker flows; India’s ONGC got in-principle approval for a 1.75 million-tonne strategic petroleum reserve expansion at Mangaluru. Ports & Trade Links: Port of Los Angeles signed a “sister port” MOU with Shenzhen Port Group and Yantian to push cleaner tech and resilient supply chains. Logistics Capacity & Growth: ID Logistics will open an $83M Henrico distribution facility creating 1,000 jobs, citing access to airport and deepwater terminals. Aviation Connectivity: Akasa Air abruptly ended direct flights between India’s new Noida and Navi Mumbai airports, leaving travelers to route via congested hubs. Maritime Workforce: Seatrade Maritime Crew Connect Global 2026 named Andreas Nordseth chair, focusing on digital transformation, compliance, and seafarer welfare.

Strait of Hormuz Disruption: US-Iran strikes and counterstrikes are again choking shipping, with traffic near standstill and LNG tankers only cautiously resuming transits. Maritime Legal Fallout: Three former crew members of a Thai cargo ship attacked in the Strait sued the operator in Bangkok over alleged labor rights violations and dismissal after the incident. Energy Infrastructure Risk: The Kremlin accused Ukraine of attacks on critical energy infrastructure tied to exports to Turkey, including compressor stations and tanker activity. Strategic Oil Storage: ONGC approved a 1.75 million-tonne expansion of India’s strategic crude reserves at Mangalore to reduce vulnerability to future corridor shocks. Grid-Scale Storage Push: LG Energy Solution won a government-backed AI-based energy storage deployment on South Korea’s distribution network, targeting 140 MWh across multiple lines starting operations in 2027. Logistics & Resilience Tech: Telstra’s national outage traced to a time-synchronization software bug highlighted weak points in telecom timing for critical infrastructure. Smart Ports: Vietnam’s Long An International Port won a “Smart Green Port” award, signaling continued investment in greener, digitized port operations.

Strait of Hormuz Disruption: Oil tanker traffic was reported near a standstill after renewed US strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation, with only two tankers transiting early Thursday and more vessels reportedly turning off AIS, raising risk for global energy logistics. Diplomacy Under Pressure: Oman and Qatar urged de-escalation and protection of freedom of navigation, while Iran condemned US attacks on maritime infrastructure at the IMO in London. Energy Market Shock: QatarEnergy paused plans to ramp LNG output at Ras Laffan after a tanker attack near Hormuz, keeping production at minimum levels and reducing LNG carrier schedules. Port & Trade Moves: The Port of Los Angeles signed an MoU with Shenzhen Port Group and Yantian International Container Terminals to expand green tech and supply-chain cooperation. Maritime Decarbonization: Peninsula and ITOCHU launched an ammonia marine fuel bunkering joint venture targeting major European ports. Cyber & Fraud: A global fraud bust tied to social engineering scams reported arrests across 97 countries and $293m in seized illicit assets. Local Logistics Resilience: Venezuela inspected earthquake collection centers to keep humanitarian supply flows running 24/7. Warehousing & Real Estate: North East UK industrial lettings totaled nearly 175,000 sq ft, signaling continued demand for well-located logistics space.

Strait of Hormuz Disruption: The US launched fresh strikes on Iran, saying it’s aimed at keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for shipping after attacks on commercial tankers. Maritime Risk: A Qatari LNG tanker remained stuck off Oman awaiting salvage as ship-tracking showed multiple tankers turning back, raising fears of wider supply shocks. Energy Markets: Oil prices jumped again as the ceasefire frayed, with insurers and traders watching freight and prompt pricing risk. Regional Response: Iran retaliated with attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain, while India urged de-escalation to protect energy flows and maritime trade. Logistics Investment: DP World added 700 trucks to expand its GCC road network, boosting capacity for first-, middle- and last-mile moves tied to port and terminal operations. Trade & Sourcing: Malaysia’s MATRADE invited firms to register for an international sourcing program alongside MIHAS 2026, targeting RM2 billion in export sales. Supply Chain Tech: Shanghai’s robotics push highlighted faster mass production of embodied robots aimed at logistics sorting and industrial handling.

Maritime Risk Escalation: The Strait of Hormuz is again roiling shipping after Trump said the US-Iran ceasefire is “over,” with the IMO warning nearly 6,000 seafarers remain stranded and urging flag states to avoid unnecessary transits. Energy & Markets: Oil jumped more than 5% and stocks slid as traders priced in renewed supply disruption risk. Diplomacy to De-escalate: Iran and Qatar held high-level talks, while Oman and Saudi Arabia discussed trade and Gulf security, all stressing diplomatic routes to protect navigation. Port Disruption Close to Home: Guam’s main port stayed shut after a displaced navigation buoy from Super Typhoon Bavi blocked Apra Harbor, while Saipan reopened under lighter restrictions. Trade Planning Under Tariffs: US import volumes are forecast to surge in July ahead of expiring tariffs, with forced-labor tariff changes expected as early as August. Logistics Infrastructure: A new Midcontinent Terminal at Thunder Bay welcomed its first ocean-going wind-turbine shipment, signaling a shift toward project cargo handling. Automation & Warehousing: Swisslog published a “Ready for the Next” framework for scalable warehouse automation as supply chains evolve.

Strait of Hormuz Security Shock: Fresh US strikes on Iran followed new attacks on commercial tankers, with three vessels hit and oil jumping as shipowners weigh route risk and insurers reprice exposure. Energy & LNG Economics: The IEA flags global gas demand down 0.5% in 2026 as Hormuz-linked LNG disruptions keep prices elevated, while analysts warn that LNG’s “headline” cost misses the full delivered price to power stations. India Fuel Resilience: India plans to expand strategic oil reserves and storage capacity to blunt future price shocks after the Iran flare-up. Maritime Trade Continuity: Egypt and A.P. Moller-Maersk discussed expanding maritime and logistics cooperation to protect Suez Canal traffic amid Red Sea disruption. Logistics Disruption from Weather: A Philippine shipping operator canceled a Lucena–Romblon route due to Super Typhoon Inday, citing rough seas and passenger safety. Grid-Resilience Buildout: North Carolina showcased mobile microgrids for storm recovery, while Vietnam and other markets keep pushing battery storage to cut logistics and power bottlenecks. Express Growth: J&T Express reported record Q2 parcel volumes, topping 100 million average daily parcels as Southeast Asia expansion accelerates. Defense Supply Chain: The US Defense Logistics Agency seeks battery-grade lithium for strategic stockpiles, signaling tighter sourcing priorities for EV and energy storage demand. Infrastructure Strategy: Gulftainer unveiled a $2B global trade infrastructure plan integrating ports, inland logistics and AI-powered supply chains. Cyber Risk for Supply Chains: Accenture confirmed a cybersecurity incident after a threat actor claimed theft of 35GB of source code and sensitive internal data.

Strait of Hormuz Escalation: Qatar formally protested Iran after the Qatari LNG tanker Al Rekayyat was targeted near the strait, warning of a grave breach of navigation safety and global energy supply security. Shipping Security: The UK reported three tanker attacks in a single day, raising the JMIC threat level for Hormuz to “Severe” and adding fresh uncertainty for merchant traffic. Market Impact: Oil prices jumped on the attacks, while the EIA still expects near-normal flows by year-end—meaning fuel volatility may ease only if security holds. Regional Logistics Push: Gulftainer unveiled a new “trade infrastructure” strategy linking Khorfakkan port capacity with inland logistics parks and AI-enabled supply chain services across key corridors. Digital Trade Enablement: Morocco launched eTrade.ma to help SMEs sell to international buyers via a single B2B portal, while Qatar’s MCIT backed “SMEs Go Digital” with transport-and-storage among priority sectors. Rail Freight Revival: Ghana’s transport minister said new locomotives and wagons under an off-taker deal aim to move more cargo by rail and relieve ports and roads. Storage & Warehousing Tech: Warehouse Anywhere acquired XPS Solutions to expand remote management and live-agent support across 17,000 storage locations. Climate Risk for Supply Chains: TT Club urged operators to stress-test resilience for a potential “super” El Niño as a systemic shock to transport and energy systems.

Strait of Hormuz Security: UKMTO says an “unknown projectile” hit an oil tanker off Oman near the Strait of Hormuz, sparking a fire; no casualties or pollution reported, with authorities investigating as tensions flare. Maritime Safety: The IMO warns piracy and armed robbery rose 17% globally (2024-2025) and urges urgent action to secure the release of 44 captive seafarers in Somali waters. Energy Storage Buildout: Eni Storage Systems broke ground on an LFP battery hub in Brindisi, targeting 16 GWh annual capacity by 2030 and adding cell, BESS assembly, cathode and recycling plans. Local Energy Policy: Iberville Parish (Louisiana) approved a two-year moratorium on new solar farms and battery storage after residents raised property-value and safety concerns. Governance in Logistics Tech: WiseTech Global’s founder Richard White stepped down as chairman; independent director Raelene Murphy became independent chair amid governance scrutiny. Cold-Chain & Air Freight Demand: New market outlooks point to continued growth in air cargo and cold-chain logistics, with e-commerce and pharma driving demand. Pakistan LPG Infrastructure: Engro Vopak Terminal launched a feasibility study for Pakistan’s first refrigerated LPG import and storage facility to strengthen supply resilience. UK Shipping Emissions: The UK’s maritime ETS began on 1 July, extending carbon pricing to domestic shipping and raising competitiveness concerns for operators. Digital Trade & Ports: Indonesia and Singapore reaffirmed keeping key straits open for international shipping under UNCLOS.

Maritime Governance: Bangladesh acceded to three IMO maritime liability conventions (oil pollution, bunker oil, and wreck removal), tightening rules for safer, more accountable shipping. Shipping Routes & Security: Strait of Hormuz traffic showed more caution, with many vessels diverting along Oman’s coast as security risks stay elevated. Trade Facilitation: Uzbekistan and Georgia agreed to move road freight permits to a fully electronic exchange system and expand rail discount coverage, aiming to cut delays and boost corridor efficiency. Port & Logistics Infrastructure: Melaka plans new road links between Kuala Linggi International Port and the Melaka Inland Port to shorten travel and improve logistics connectivity. Cold-Chain Exports: Bangladesh opened a modern vapour heat treatment plant for mangoes, enabling chemical-free quarantine processing to unlock premium export markets. Distribution Expansion: BRP inaugurated its largest global parts, accessories and apparel distribution center in Saint-Philippe, Quebec, consolidating shipments to dealers across 110 countries. Cross-Border Express: Dubai Chambers signed an MoU with FedEx to help local firms strengthen export readiness, including customs advisory and ATA Carnet support. Energy & Storage: Meta says it rebuilt its AI storage stack to reduce data movement delays across regions by up to 97%, highlighting storage’s growing role in global logistics for AI workloads.

LNG Trading Push: ADNOC launched a global LNG marketing and trading platform in Abu Dhabi’s ADGM, aiming to manage a growing portfolio and boost “shipping optionality,” targeting 47 mtpa by 2035. Energy Security Storage: India is moving to build its first strategic natural gas storage system to reduce vulnerability from LNG/LPG import disruptions tied to West Asia tensions. Port Throughput Watch: Qatar’s ports handled 493,105 TEUs and 273,325 tonnes of general cargo in H1 2026, with 866 vessel calls, reinforcing its hub role. AI Infrastructure Race: Anthropic plans to procure at least 1.4 GW of data center capacity in Australia in a US$15B push, underscoring how compute demand is reshaping logistics for power and hardware. Shipping Corridor Resilience: DP World says more freight is routing through Türkiye to reach Gulf markets as firms diversify away from disrupted routes. Oil Market Signal: OPEC+ agreed to raise output targets by 188,000 bpd from August as Strait of Hormuz exports recover, nudging crude lower. Cold-Chain/Trade Ops: ProCharter added four direct East Africa air cargo corridors from Nairobi to Mogadishu, Kismayo, Djibouti and Juba to speed time-sensitive shipments.

Strait of Hormuz Recovery Signals: A convoy of commercial vessels transited near Oman, hinting at easing pressure after Iran’s warnings and patrol activity. Iran–Qatar Trade Reopens: The Iran (Dayyer)–Qatar (Al-Ruwais) maritime corridor restarted after a five-month halt, expected to cut regional transport costs and speed goods flows. Red Sea Risk Lingers: A cargo ship reported an attack off Yemen, keeping the maritime-risk premium alive for global shipping and insurance. Oil Supply Back in Focus: OPEC+ raised output targets from August as Strait of Hormuz exports recover, pushing crude back toward pre-conflict levels. Local Fare Pressure from Global Oil: In the Philippines, a lawmaker urged MARINA to push Calapan–Batangas operators to roll back fares after global oil prices fell, citing earlier jumps in passenger and rolling cargo charges. Food & Fertilizer Supply Chain Leak: India’s subsidised urea diversion—seized in Punjab—highlights how fertilizer subsidies can leak into industrial use, raising pressure on farm logistics and costs. Ukraine Logistics Support: Logistics Plus said it’s expanding support for Ukraine via a new partnership tied to investor outreach after the Ukraine Recovery Conference.

Cold-Chain Tech: Maersk is rolling out new IoT devices across its refrigerated container fleet to improve real-time visibility and reduce tracking blind spots. Port & Trade Facilitation: Ghana’s shippers and port agencies pledged action to cut congestion, inspection delays, documentation fraud, and informal charges that are driving up costs at ports. Air Cargo Capacity: Vietnam Airlines plans its first dedicated cargo aircraft in Q3 2026, with routes to Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and India, plus warehouse and logistics investments at Long Thanh and Gia Binh. Container Manufacturing: India unveiled its first domestically built EXIM shipping container for Maersk and ordered 1,000 more, aiming to scale local capacity. Energy/Shipping Risk: Iran says it will introduce service fees for Strait of Hormuz transits after a 60-day free period, with crypto-settled insurance and preferential rates for allied nations—raising fresh uncertainty for global shipping and oil flows. Regional Logistics Disruption: Afghanistan’s car-parts trade has stalled as border conflicts and Strait-linked shipping disruptions keep containers and routes costly and unreliable. Project Delivery & Infrastructure: Nepal’s energy minister urged stakeholders to complete the Sikta Irrigation Project on deadline, citing impacts on agriculture and food security.

GCC Food Security: Oman’s agriculture ministry joined a GCC meeting to review a study for strategic storage zones for food, pharmaceuticals and other essentials, aiming to boost Gulf preparedness and supply-chain sustainability. Humanitarian Logistics: After Venezuela’s earthquakes, the National Assembly and UN assessed temporary camp setup, including safe sites with food and medical support, and reviewed distribution capacity at an international operations base in La Guaira. Tournament Operations: CAF shifted Ghana’s Black Queens camp from Fez to Casablanca for WAFCON 2026, updating accommodation and logistics while keeping group fixtures unchanged. Fuel Cost Signals for Transport: U.S. GasBuddy reports show continued volatility tied to global oil and shipping risks around the Strait of Hormuz, with notable lows like $3.79 midgrade in Iredell County, $3.02 regular in Terry County, and $3.99 diesel in Jackson County—useful context for trucking and last-mile planning. Regional Trade Infrastructure: Bangladesh’s finance minister said Chattogram is set to become a logistics hub via a new economic zone and airport cargo expansion.