Every week, Rinchem shares important articles and topics about chemical and gas logistics, industries we operate in, and the general global supply chain. In this week's review we discuss semiconductor reshoring, freight prices hitting Covid-era extremes, and the Straight of Hormuz.
Keep reading to see this week's hot topics.
This week's stats
66-70%- the reduction of environmental impacts of materials in semiconductor manufacturing by 2050 if shifts to reshoring. Mirage News
March 2022- the last time we've seen this fast of transportation rate growth Freight Waves
Research Urges UK, US to Reshore Semiconductor Production
A new study from the University of Sheffield argues that reshoring semiconductor manufacturing to the U.S. and U.K. would be the most environmentally sustainable option, as these countries rely more on cleaner energy compared to coal-heavy regions like China. Analyzing dozens of global supply chain scenarios through 2050, researchers found that where chips are produced significantly affects emissions, with domestic production in cleaner-energy markets consistently yielding lower environmental impact. The study also highlights that semiconductor production—especially for key materials like InGaN and InGaP used in AI and consumer electronics—is highly energy-intensive and will require further innovation to address persistent pollution hotspots across the supply chain.
Freight market sees Covid-era extremes return
The FreightWaves article explains that the freight market is experiencing a sharp return to pandemic-like volatility, with March data showing extreme swings in both capacity and pricing not seen since the COVID-era boom. According to the latest Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI), transportation capacity tightened significantly while pricing surged, signaling a rapid shift back toward a carrier-driven market. This reversal is being driven more by constrained supply than strong demand, creating an environment where shippers face rising costs and limited availability, while uncertainty remains high due to fluctuating volumes and ongoing disruptions.
US agrees two-week ceasefire with Iran but normal operations not expected to resume in Strait of Hormuz for several weeks
The Automotive Logistics article explains that although the U.S. and Iran have agreed to a temporary two-week ceasefire, global shipping—particularly through the Strait of Hormuz—remains heavily disrupted and far from normal. Carriers and logistics providers are still avoiding the region due to ongoing security risks, unclear transit rules, and high insurance costs, meaning supply chains—especially for automotive and energy-dependent industries—will continue to face delays and elevated costs. Even with limited vessel movement resuming, industry expectations are that a full return to normal operations will take weeks or longer, as companies wait for sustained stability and clearer safety assurances before committing capacity back to the route.
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