Navigating Supply-Chain Risk in the Israel-Iran Conflict
A quick-hit briefing on what’s moving, why it matters, and how AI keeps you out of the splash zone.
Hey Changemakers,
A shaky cease-fire may be in place, but volatility and uncertainty is still at an all-time high. Last week’s threat to close the Strait of Hormuz triggered an instant market reaction - proof that one headline can jolt freight rates, fuel prices, and insurance premiums overnight.
Here’s a quick rundown, plus a live demo of how an AI risk intelligence agent can help you navigate the uncertainty.
Even a rumour can move the market.
A few examples of how last week’s Hormuz scare rattled global supply chains:
War-risk insurance
Premiums to the Gulf doubled to ~0.5 % of cargo value. One VLCC now pays tens of thousands more per transit.
Ocean freight rates
Middle East → China VLCC spot up +154 % WoW. Other tanker lanes followed suit as owners price in extra security and fuel.
Delays & congestion
Holding patterns of 10 days+, regional port congestion up 300 % as reroutes stack.
Security overhang
Missile/drone threats, GPS spoofing, seizure risk - all forcing slower speeds or Cape-of-Good-Hope detours.
Oil & fuel prices
Brent leapt to a five-month high. Goldman pegs $110/bbl if flows drop by half.
Using AI agents for crisis navigation.
Scenario: Your suppliers - or their sub-tiers - move critical parts through the Hormuz chokepoint. Iran’s threat to close the strait has already doubled war-risk premiums, spiked freight rates, and triggered multi-day detours.
Wait for delays to hit? Or act now?
An AI agent can deliver real-time risk intelligence in seconds:
Mapping every supplier and shipment near the conflict zone
Flagging financial + delivery exposure instantly
Analysing lead-time impact on open POs
Check out this demo to see it in action:
That’s it for this week, Changemakers!
Have feedback, ideas, or a use case you’d like us to cover next? Interested in collaborating with us on the Spotlight Interview series or contributing your work to an upcoming edition? Hit reply - we’d love to hear from you!
Until next time,
Deana
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