If war-related upheavals intensify, it could start eroding the 23 million tons of copper mined per year.

Join the hottest AI-powered social chat!

By Aisya Abdul Rahman Bombings of major ports. Blockades at key chokepoints. Attacks on cargo ships, merchant vessels and relief boats disrupting supply chains and delivery of humanitarian aid. Damage to subsea cables threatening global internet and communications. Death and destruction to coastal civilian populations and infrastructure. The deadliest displacement and forced migration routes. Untold impacts on the marine environment and underwater cultural objects. Nuclear submarines, hypersonic missiles, unmanned maritime systems, and cyber operations at sea. These are some of the realities of today’s 130+ armed conflicts when they are fought at sea, and very likely still in the wars […]

Secretary‑General Arsenio Dominguez said ships carry about 90% of global goods and that disruptions — whether geopolitics or accidents — have immediate effects on supply chains, prices and seafarers' welfare.

UNITED NATIONS, July 17 (IPS) - A continuation of hostilities within the Strait of Hormuz is once again threatening one of the world’s most critical supply chain arteries, posing another wave of disruption which could choke the global energy, shipping and commodity markets. With roughly a quarter of global seaborne oil trade transiting through the Strait, alongside significant flows of liquefied natural gas and fertilizers, further constraints on commercial traffic could send new cost pressures cascading through supply chains that have yet to absorb the full effects of the earlier conflict.

A presenter said a global housing affordability crisis is already under way, affecting the Global South, Europe and North America, and warned it could increase inflationary pressure and disrupt value chains. The remarks included no specific policy proposals or formal actions.

TikTok video by Beo Kieng

413,793 KitKat bars (~12 tonnes) stolen on 26 Mar 2026, risking pre-Easter supply disruptions ahead of Easter on 12 Apr 2026.

<p>China's recent restrictions on rare earth exports have sent shockwaves through the global automotive industry, threatening production lines and intensifying trade tensions. The decision, implemente...

<p>In the wake of President Donald Trump's recent implementation of a 145% tariff on nearly all Chinese imports, the United States is experiencing a significant downturn in shipments from China, raisi...

A significant supply shock is affecting manufacturing across East Asia due to the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz amid conflict in the Middle East. Naphtha, a vital petroleum derivative refined from crude oil, serves as a key building block for countless products including plastics, synthetic rubbers, inks, solvents, and medical devices. Japan and South Korea, heavily reliant on naphtha imports from Qatar and Kuwait as well as crude oil shipped through the strait, are experiencing the most acute disruptions. More than 80 per cent of Japan's traditional naphtha supply lines have been severed. In Japan, food companies like Calbee and Kagome are reducing ink usage on packaging, leading to plainer designs. Supermarkets face shortages of plastic wrap, diaper prices are rising, and construction projects are delayed due to resin shortages. South Korean petrochemical firms have cut production rates and declared force majeure on deliveries to car and electronics makers, sparking some consumer hoarding of plastic goods. Experts warn that without alternatives, broader manufacturing impacts could intensify by June, particularly in critical areas like medical equipment where substitutions are difficult. Governments are scrambling for alternatives, with South Korea boosting imports from Russia and Japan seeking supplies from the United States. However, Japanese officials face public scepticism, as import data shows a 79 per cent drop in April compared to the previous year. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet has seen approval ratings drop sharply amid concerns over daily life impacts. Economists note that naphtha acts as the primary channel transmitting Middle East shocks to Asian economies, feeding into everything from consumer goods to industrial production. Recovery appears dependent on restoring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

The Unthinkable Happens. Will Your Business Survive? Let's be honest. Most business planning revolves around the predictable. We forecast sales, map out marketing campaigns, and optimize supply chains based on&hellip;

The Indian ceramic and tiles industry, which maintains a deep trade link with the countries in the Middle East region, has been severely affected by the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran.

Due to the supply chain disruptions stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, India could potentially see a decline in fertiliser output.

Impacts of conflict disrupted supply chains and pushed up costs for inputs including fuel and oil.