US Seeks Fertilizers in Venezuela, Morocco& Key Takeaways

Hello 👋

Welcome to your daily industry briefing.

To save you from jumping between multiple tabs, I’ve curated today’s most relevant news in global logistics, international trade, freight, and customs for 18-03-2026. Condensed and ready for a quick, insightful read 🚀.

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📋 Today’s Headlines:

• US Seeks Fertilizer from Venezuela and Morocco Amid Iran War Shipping Disruptions
• CMA CGM Implements Emergency Intermodal Solutions in Persian Gulf to Bypass Strait of Hormuz
• EU Adopts Updated State Aid Rules to Promote Sustainable Transport Including Rail
• Middle East Conflict Triggers Global Energy Crisis, Disrupting Logistics
• AI Integration in Shipping: From Buzzwords to Operational Reality
• Ship Traffic in Strait of Hormuz Nearly Halted Amid Iran Conflict
• Women in Logistics: A Male-Dominated Sector Beginning to Shift Toward Inclusion

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US Seeks Fertilizer from Venezuela and Morocco Amid Iran War Shipping Disruptions

The Trump administration is pursuing alternative fertilizer sources from Venezuela and Morocco due to shipping constraints caused by the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran, which has severed critical Gulf supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.[1][2][3]

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett confirmed licenses have been established for increased Venezuelan production and discussions held with Morocco as an “insurance policy” against disruptions, amid fertilizer prices spiking over 30% and threats to US spring planting.[1][5][7]

📉 High supply volatility from Gulf cutoff raises shortage risks
⚓ Strait of Hormuz closure disrupts 20-30% global fertilizer exports
📋 US Treasury eases Venezuelan sanction waivers for fertilizer imports
🌍 Iran war escalates global food supply chain tensions

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CMA CGM Implements Emergency Intermodal Solutions in Persian Gulf to Bypass Strait of Hormuz

CMA CGM is deploying **emergency intermodal solutions** in the Persian Gulf to support customers amid heightened regional tensions, enabling shipments to and from countries including Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Yemen, Qatar, Oman, UAE, and Saudi Arabia while avoiding the **Strait of Hormuz**. These measures include vessel deviations to contingency ports and landbound transit routes from external ports.[2][3]

The initiatives address disruptions from the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran and Gulf crisis, with CMA CGM resuming bookings via alternative routes like the Cape of Good Hope for 85% of its vessels and expecting 4.5% Q1 volume growth despite challenges.[3] This builds on CMA CGM’s intermodal expertise, as seen in prior block-train services, while monitoring Middle East tensions critical to 2026 market balance.[1][2]

📉 Elevated operational risks from Gulf disruptions and vessel rerouting
⚓ Freight delays via land routes and Cape detours impacting Gulf ports
📋 Minimal direct customs shifts, focusing on seamless intermodal compliance
🌍 U.S.-Israeli-Iran war heightens Strait of Hormuz avoidance

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EU Adopts Updated State Aid Rules to Promote Sustainable Transport Including Rail

The European Commission has adopted new Land and Multimodal Transport (LMT) Guidelines and the Transport Block Exemption Regulation (TBER), simplifying state aid for sustainable land transport modes like rail, inland waterways, and multimodal solutions over road-only options. These rules replace the 2008 guidelines on railway undertakings and enable member states to grant certain aids without prior approval, focusing on freight while introducing support for commercial night trains.[1][2][3]

Key provisions include operating aid for initial losses on new rail freight connections and night passenger trains absent for at least three years, expanded eligibility to non-traditional rail operators, and support for rolling stock, freight terminals, and green technologies like ERTMS, ETCS, and DAC to cut pollution and boost interoperability. Effective from 30 March 2026 with a 12-month transition, the TBER lasts until 2034, excluding public service obligations.[1][2][3]

📉 Minimal operational risk due to simplified approvals
⚓ Boosts **rail freight** capacity and multimodal integration
📋 Eases **regulatory notifications** for compliant aids
🌍 Advances EU green transition amid global sustainability push

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Middle East Conflict Triggers Global Energy Crisis, Disrupting Logistics

U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have escalated into retaliatory attacks across the Gulf, halting energy exports and closing the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint for 20% of global oil and LNG flows—leading to sharp production cuts in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and others.[1][2][3]

Oil prices have surged over 25%, with natural gas markets facing sharper regional dislocations, amplifying stagflation risks through supply chain disruptions extending to helium for semiconductors, fertilizers, and shipping routes, impacting industries from manufacturing to agriculture worldwide.[1][2][3][4]

📉 Energy supply shocks heighten operational volatility
⚓ Strait closure halts oil tanker traffic, surges freight costs
📋 Production cuts trigger export rationing in Asia
🌍 U.S.-Iran escalation fuels prolonged Gulf hostilities

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AI Integration in Shipping: From Buzzwords to Operational Reality

Shipping consultant Frank Coles has emphasized that the maritime industry must move beyond layered technology implementations to deliver genuinely transformative AI solutions for vessel operations[8]. Rather than simply adding software tools on top of existing manual processes, effective AI adoption should replace mundane tasks and empower seafarers to operate more safely and efficiently[8]. Coles warns that successful AI deployment depends on listening to ship operators rather than technology providers, as their practical needs should drive implementation strategies[8].

The maritime sector is increasingly recognizing AI’s potential for route optimization and emissions reduction[2][10]. Companies like Marine Digital are developing integrated solutions combining automated vessel data acquisition with AI algorithms for weather routing, real-time performance monitoring, predictive maintenance, and fuel consumption reduction[2]. This represents a shift from reactive problem-solving toward proactive, data-driven decision-making that addresses both operational efficiency and climate mitigation targets[2][4].

📉 Risk of crew overburdening if AI tools layer onto existing workflows rather than replacing manual tasks[8]
⚓ Significant potential for reduced fuel costs and optimized ETAs through predictive route planning and voyage optimization[2]
📋 Integration challenges remain in fragmented maritime technology implementations across vessel operations[8]
🌍 AI-driven emissions reduction becoming critical for achieving industry climate change mitigation goals[2][4]

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Ship Traffic in Strait of Hormuz Nearly Halted Amid Iran Conflict

Following US-Israel joint strikes on Iran on February 28, shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz dropped sharply to an average of six ships per day from March 1-8, compared to 100 daily in February, due to Iranian attacks and threats, leaving many tankers anchored outside.[1]

The strait, a vital chokepoint for 25% of global maritime oil trade including 20 million barrels daily in 2025, has seen traffic fall further to as low as one vessel on March 12, with major lines suspending Gulf services and vessels trapped on both sides.[1][2][3][4]

📉 Extreme operational risk from attacks and threats
⚓ Tankers and liners anchored or diverting, crippling Gulf ports
📋 Heightened security protocols and booking suspensions
🌍 US-Israel strikes vs Iran escalate, trapping global vessels including Chinese

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Women in Logistics: A Male-Dominated Sector Beginning to Shift Toward Inclusion

The logistics industry, historically viewed as a men’s domain, is increasingly tapping into female talent amid talent shortages and supply chain evolution, though women comprise only 17-24% of the workforce.

[news content implied as primary source]

Women are more prevalent in planning and administrative roles but underrepresented in operations and transport; companies like Celsur are addressing this through bias reviews, training, flexibility, and anti-violence policies to foster growth, supported by global trends showing female participation rising to 20-40% in some regions.[1][2][3]

📉 Persistent gender imbalance risks talent shortages in operations
⚓ No direct freight or port disruptions noted
📋 No customs or regulatory changes reported
🌍 Broader push for diversity amid global supply chain demands

📚 Sources:

1. Estados Unidos estaría buscando fertilizantes en Venezuela y Marruecos producto de guerra en Irán
2. CMA CGM implementa soluciones intermodales de emergencia en el Golfo Pérsico y evitar el estrecho de Ormuz
3. EU adopts new State aid rules for transport, including rail
4. Global energy crisis could exceed worst expectations
5. What is AI in shipping?
6. Ship Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz Has Virtually Stopped
7. Mujeres en logística: un sector que empieza a cambiar en una de las industrias más masculinizadas