AGP Executive Report

Volcanic Ash Disrupts Air Travel: Indonesia’s Soekarno-Hatta Airport was temporarily closed after Mount Anak Krakatau ash was detected, affecting 209 flights and 22,798 passengers, with multiple international routes cancelled or rescheduled. Public Transport Pressure: In Metro Manila, the LTFRB opened 8,750 TNVS slots, reserving 7,500 for electric vehicles (BEVs/PHEVs) to boost greener mobility. Road Infrastructure Update: Hampshire County Council confirmed phased opening for the M27 Junction 10 improvement scheme from Sept. 14, with the first westbound off-slip, underpass and roundabouts set to open. Freight & Logistics Investment: Jassper Shipping plans up to $50m over three years to expand cargo services across India and the Gulf. Rail Disruption: Hong Kong high-speed rail saw delays to at least 15 northbound trains after a signalling fault. Local Transit Funding Hit: Lakewood students face bus service cuts after funding for courtesy busing was lost days before school starts. Maritime Cooperation: Iraq is moving toward a maritime transport agreement with Lebanon, with a draft MoU under ministerial review.

Oman Road Build-Out: Oman’s transport ministry inaugurated new Harweeb–Mitan and Dhofar asphalt networks, adding about 380 km to improve connectivity and traffic efficiency. Uganda Road Funding: Busoga communities are one step closer to tarmacking the 127-km Ambercourt–Mbulamuti–Kamuli–Bukungu trade route after Parliament approved Shs842.6b for works. Ghana Fare Pressure: Ghana’s CPCG urged a fair, evidence-based public transport fare review as operators cite fuel-price pressure; separate reports say Peshawar transporters raised fares again. Ghana Safety Towing: Ghana will introduce mandatory towing in 2027, using subscribed towing services and a tech platform to clear broken-down vehicles faster. Bangladesh LPG Logistics: Fresh LP Gas added an MT Mercantile-65 LPG carrier, boosting dedicated capacity to 6,000 metric tons to strengthen supply from anchorage to plants. Ongoing Hormuz Risk: The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to commercial shipping, with tanker traffic far below normal, raising costs and disruption fears. Ghana Border Trade Check: Jordan’s customs chief visited Jaber Border to address a shipping crisis and push faster, coordinated cargo movement. Data Breach Watch: Trezor disclosed a further 67,000 U.S. customers were exposed via ShipMonk, adding to prior disclosures. Infrastructure Planning: Indiana’s ProPEL State Road 2 study opened community input sessions for a 13-mile corridor.

Port & Shipping Policy: Japan will invest about $3.8B in shipbuilders to revive domestic output, aiming to double shipbuilding volume by 2035. Maritime Trade & Risk: Hormuz shipping traffic stayed below the 10-day average as regional tensions and mine-clearance limits keep pressure on routes and rates. Logistics & Infrastructure Investment: Russia’s Far East will see a 7.4B ruble production and logistics park in Khabarovsk, backed by “one-stop shop” support for investors. Public Transport Operations: Kyiv added temporary bus route 1-M, bringing 21 surface routes across the Dnipro during peak demand. Road & Rail Planning: A rail-led housing push faces pushback in Mid Cheshire, where service frequency is too low to meet the “frequent trains” standard. Safety & Compliance: Waikato (NZ) welcomed a national lifejacket rule for small recreational craft to standardize enforcement. Transport Costs: US diesel hit record highs, feeding into higher transport costs for goods and travel. Project Delivery Watch: Coeur d’Alene’s I-90 work will shift traffic patterns for about a year, with major lane changes starting mid-September.

Russian Grain Sanctions: Lithuania’s PM says Klaipėda infrastructure can’t be used for Russian grain exports, with officials reviewing whether more action is needed after 47,000 tonnes of Russian-origin grain were handled in the first eight months of 2026. Shipping Rates & Fleet Moves: Dorian LPG will spend about $345M on three LNG/LPG gas carriers after Strait of Hormuz disruptions pushed rates higher, with deliveries scheduled for 2030. Port & Training on the Ground: India’s IPSLM students visited New Mangalore Port Authority to learn cargo handling, vessel movement, berthing and maritime safety. Relief Logistics: China’s third batch of flood relief for Nepal arrived by Y-20A aircraft, including Bailey bridges and medical supplies, with experts also landing to support recovery. Road Freight Costs & Planning: North Carolina DOT says it spent nearly $70M designing I-77 toll lanes, as a Sept. 23 vote could trigger local reimbursement if opponents block the project. EV Charging Deployment: Maryland’s EV charging rollout focus shifts from plans to execution—permitting, grid capacity and costs are key hurdles ahead of a Clean Energy Summit discussion. Public Transport Pressure: Ireland’s NTA faces scrutiny over a planned 15% fare rise from January 2027, with lawmakers inviting it to explain the decision. Hormuz Still Choppy: Strait of Hormuz traffic remains low after renewed US-Iran tensions, adding pressure to fuel prices.

Airport & Aerial Mobility: The U.S. DOT announced a $481M package to upgrade airports ahead of Labor Day, including $100M for Atlanta runway/taxiway/terminal work and other major grants for Louisville, San Diego and Milwaukee. Maritime Security & Trade Lanes: The Strait of Hormuz remains a pressure point as Iran-related disruptions keep oil shipping moving under heightened risk, with U.S. officials stressing efforts to protect commercial traffic. Logistics Tech: Shipsy launched a beta “Shipsy Brain” intelligence layer aimed at helping enterprise logistics agents reason and act using logistics data, not just dashboards. Container & Port Links: Guangzhou Port and Alexandria Port deepened cooperation, adding liner routes and reporting a sharp jump in container volumes between the two. Road & Public Transport Upgrades: Delhi rolled out 50 electric buses and an automated vehicle testing station, while Wellington launched an online travel dashboard to make city movement data easier to use. Safety & Disruptions: Brisbane saw a major forklift/container fire in Hemmant, and a school-bus crash in Minnesota injured children and adults, prompting emergency response and road closures. Policy & Planning: New Zealand’s ACT called for publishing “lowest-cost safe” transport options, and Oxfordshire approved some EV charging bays while deferring others amid parking and pedestrian concerns. Fraud & Enforcement: Philippines authorities raided fake license-plate makers in Davao, seizing equipment and arresting suspects.

Arctic Shipping Push: Russia says it will run the Northern Sea Route year-round and expects Transarctic cargo to double by 2030, alongside plans for low-altitude drone cargo standards. Middle East Route Risk: Iran warns the US to stockpile fuel as Hormuz tensions flare, while RBC flags more “dark” vessel transits and crew strain on the corridor. Port Decarbonisation: ICCT’s policy brief targets V.O.C. Port’s maritime decarbonisation, linking green fuel supply to shipping demand on the India–Europe route. Freight Cost Pressure (Ukraine): Reorienting Ukrainian agro-exports away from Black Sea ports could add EUR 50–90 per tonne, squeezing competitiveness ahead of autumn sowing. Transport Funding (Nigeria/Philippines): Nigeria unveils its first national land transport policy for safer, integrated mobility; in the Philippines, a lawmaker urges an extra P30bn for DOTr projects, including the Mindanao Railway. Local Disruption & Safety: Toronto storms flood transit and cut power; Edinburgh buses reroute after a crash; and Prince George’s County schools apologize for bus routing failures.

Maritime Security & Trade Disruption: Iran’s IRGC says two oil tankers hit mines in the Strait of Hormuz, warning shipping firms against using “unauthorized routes” after alleged U.S. pressure—another reminder of how quickly chokepoints can disrupt energy and cargo flows. Port & Channel Operations: Dredging has wrapped up at Australia’s Port of Weipa and Amrun after 63 days of work, clearing shipping channels despite heavy rain and cyclone impacts. Newbuilds & Fleet Investment: Hanwha Ocean won a $1.14bn order for six LNG dual-fuel container ships from Yang Ming, with deliveries due in 2029—fuel flexibility remains a big theme. Logistics Growth: Thailand’s SCX Logistics reported 240% first-half revenue growth and plans to expand its logistics footprint to over 1,000,000 sq.m. by 2029. Road Transport Pressure: Labor Day travel is forecast to bring major U.S. congestion, while New Zealand’s SH1 faces closures after a truck rollover and Auckland Harbour Bridge warns of wind gust impacts. Safety & Compliance: New Zealand moves to make lifejackets compulsory on small recreational craft, and TSA expands face-scan lanes at Newark to streamline airport screening. Public Transport Reliability: Parents in the UK report last-minute school transport cancellations and a Queens student left stranded on day one after a bus failed to arrive.

Strait of Hormuz Security: Bahri says two Filipino seafarers died after a security incident aboard its vessel SIDR while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Sept. 1, underscoring how risky the world’s key shipping chokepoint remains. Maritime Conflict Impacts: Russia claims strikes hit a weapons-loaded dry-cargo ship in the Black Sea and multiple logistics sites in Ukraine’s Kiev region, while analysts warn that even with new Gulf pipelines, LNG and container shipping will keep the Strait strategically vital. Freight Planning Policy: The UK’s revised National Planning Policy Framework adds a dedicated freight and logistics policy, pushing development proposals to consider access to transport networks and rail freight infrastructure from the start. Dry Ports & Inland Logistics: Tamil Nadu plans a Tiruchi inland container depot/dry port with warehousing, cold chain, customs clearance and consolidation to boost exports. Port/Container Safety Research: Lloyd’s Register, Maersk, Charleston and Felixstowe launch a “Pink Corridor” project to map security and safeguarding needs for a theoretical nuclear-powered transatlantic container route. Road & Rail Operations: US rail merger review gets a deadline extension for UP–NS participation (Sept. 30), while multiple regions announce Labor Day traffic and construction changes, including lane-closure suspensions in Alabama and widening progress on Missouri’s US 54. Local Transport Reshuffles: Dhaka officials inspect Keraniganj sites to relocate inter-district bus services and build a permanent bus terminal, aiming to cut congestion. Tech & Compliance: Florida revokes permits for automated license plate readers over privacy and misuse concerns, and Bahrain tightens rules by requiring student transport operators to be licensed before running routes. Logistics Cost Pressure: A new Logistics Manager’s Index report links rising aggregate logistics costs to the US-Iran conflict, pointing to supply-driven inflation pressures across inventory, warehousing and transport.

Scam Prevention in Logistics: A Northfield, Minnesota shipping mailbox worker spotted red flags and stopped a woman from mailing a box containing $30,000 in cash, getting police involved and securing a full refund including the $500 overnight fee. Road Safety & Enforcement: The UK charity TyreSafe relaunches its Young Driver Campaign, warning that two illegal tyres can cost new drivers their licence, while the U.S. Transportation Secretary shuts down 110 truck driving schools over English proficiency rule violations. Autonomous Mobility & Freight Tech: China’s Momenta reports record revenue and a sharply narrowed loss, citing faster commercialization of assisted driving, Robotaxi and autonomous logistics. Maritime Security & Shipping Disruption: CENTCOM says U.S. strikes hit Iranian military targets after attempted attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran disputes who controls the chokepoint and warns of tighter effective closure. Transport Infrastructure Moves: Nigeria plans a high-speed rail line from Lagos to Maiduguri (up to 360 km/h), while Florida’s FDOT advances major I-75 expansion with express lanes and a diverging diamond interchange. Supply Chain Shock: Nepal’s LPG shortage worsens after floods damage the Prithvi Highway route used to move fuel into Kathmandu. Port/Logistics Governance: SEKO Logistics UK & Ireland submits its UN Global Compact progress disclosure, adding transparency for procurement and ESG teams.

Strait of Hormuz Security: Two Saudi crude supertankers were hit by unknown projectiles while transiting the Strait, raising fresh concerns for one of the world’s key oil routes. Florida Surveillance Rollback: FDOT revoked permits for Flock automated license plate readers on state highways; agencies have 30 days to remove gear or FDOT will do it. Urban Mobility & Enforcement: Mumbai’s BMC will hire new vehicle contractors for its “Pedestrian First” footpath crackdown (₹10.25 crore), while the Mumbai suburban guardian minister ordered checks on blasting safety at the Dahisar East transport hub. Public Transport Support: Telangana’s free TGSRTC travel scheme says it has helped women save ₹12,167 crore, with plans to add 2,200 electric buses. Logistics Expansion: DTDC Express launched Kaarigo, an e-commerce platform to onboard 1,000 Indian artisans over the next year. Cold Chain Growth: Peregrine Cold Logistics entered Indonesia via a JV to expand cold storage in Pluit and Narogong. Road Disruptions: Missouri and Massachusetts reported major bridge/road closures and crash impacts, including a long Route O bridge shutdown in Missouri and I-90 westbound closure in Palmer.

US trucking crackdown: The U.S. Transportation Department shut down 270 commercial driving schools tied to fraud, as DHS/DOJ and top attorneys launch a broader interagency push against bad actors in trucking. Florida surveillance rollback: FDOT ordered removal of Flock automated license plate readers from state highway rights-of-way, and Central Florida agencies moved fast to shut down or remove cameras. CDL enforcement meets politics: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is also tied to the crackdown narrative, while local road-safety and traffic monitoring debates intensify. Air cargo demand: IATA reports global air cargo demand rose 3.9% year-on-year in July, with capacity up 1.7% and load factor at 46%. Shipping risk watch: Strait of Hormuz tensions remain a key driver for oil and shipping costs after renewed U.S.-Iran strikes. Logistics tech leadership: WiseTech Global named Jeff Howard as CFO, signaling continued investment in CargoWise and AI-driven logistics operations. Infrastructure & freight: Work starts on Iowa’s $146m Southwest Mixmaster renovation, while India’s rail freight brings 840 tonnes of onions to Chennai to ease shortages. Disaster transport: Nepal’s flood aftermath has blocked major highways, severely disrupting rescue and relief logistics.

Road Safety & Traffic Management: Minnesota’s Central Avenue redesign heads to a voter petition after residents raised access and business-impact concerns; North Dakota begins fall mowing along state highways in early/mid-September; South Dakota seeks public input on a Highway 385 curve and Strawberry Hill access project, while also approving $3.5M for 40 local bridge projects. Construction Disruption: Missouri’s I-70 flyover work will narrow westbound I-70 to one lane and close key connector access Sept. 11–14, with MoDOT urging drivers to plan ahead. Public Transport Rules: Maharashtra will require senior citizens and women to use National Common Mobility Cards for concession tickets from Sept. 1, and the state is funding a modern traffic management system for 2026–27. Freight & Logistics Moves: Walmart will build a 1.5M sq-ft automated fulfillment center in Carnesville, Georgia, adding about 1,000 jobs; Dubai Customs reports a 53% surge in air cargo transactions in H1 2026. Supply Chain Security: Yemen says it intercepted four Houthi explosive boats near Red Sea shipping lanes; Russia struck an Avrora logistics distribution center in Kyiv Oblast. Industry & Policy: Ethiopia’s EPSS wins a gold award for pharmaceutical supply-chain reforms; the U.S. DOT announces a major trucking fraud crackdown, shutting down 110 driving schools. Corporate Restructuring: Noble Supply & Logistics files for Chapter 11 as it seeks a value-maximizing sale or reorganization.

Nuclear-Powered Shipping Push: The U.S. is partnering with Long Beach and Corpus Christi to explore small modular reactors, port microgrids and advanced vessel propulsion for commercial maritime operations. Port-to-Rail Scaling: India ran its first double-stack long-haul container train from JNPT near Mumbai to CONCOR’s terminal in Gujarat, moving 360 TEUs over 422 km on the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. Labor Dispute at a Logistics Hub: DHL Supply Chain warehouse workers in the Philippines remain on strike, alleging management is using a redundancy pretext to avoid bargaining after union certification. Hormuz Shock to Energy and Shipping: Fresh U.S.-Iran escalation around the Strait of Hormuz is lifting oil prices and raising renewed concerns about crude supplies and tanker traffic. Road Disruption: Laos temporarily closed Route 13 North after flooding and landslides, urging freight operators to park and avoid the damaged corridor. Local Transport Reliability: Prince George’s County schools in Maryland replaced its transportation director and cleared a roughly 10,000-student bus backlog after early-year routing failures. Land Transport Leadership: Singapore appointed a new chairman for its Land Transport Authority, signaling continuity on efficiency and sustainability priorities.

Maritime Digitalization (Qatar): Qatar’s Ministry of Transport has automated 11 more maritime services online, bringing its e-service total to 21, covering vessel and seafarer transactions like ship deletion, ownership transfer, mortgages, oil pollution safety insurance requests, and sea protest services. Port & Rail Efficiency (India): JNPA is assessing Dedicated Freight Corridor railway nodes to speed container evacuation from JN Port to Bhiwandi logistics hubs, including visits to Kharbhav station and Bhiwandi warehousing capacity. Road & Transit Disruption (US/UK/UAE): Minnesota will adjust TNC minimum pay rates from Jan. 1, 2027 (3.99% inflation); Rochester bridge repairs will slow traffic on 16th St SW; Dubai opened extra Emirates Road lanes to cut Dubai–Sharjah travel times by up to 25%; and Abu Dhabi reopened the E20 interchange with added lanes ahead of the school year. Safety & Service Continuity (Malaysia/UK/India): Sarawak river users are urged to plan carefully as drought and haze reduce visibility and river depth; RNLI supported an ambulance crew to Holy Island when tide restricted access; and Andhra Pradesh’s drone medical transport logged 1,800+ trips moving medicines and samples to tribal areas. Logistics Under Pressure (Ukraine/Russia): Reports say Russian strikes are hitting Kyiv’s civilian warehouse network, disrupting supermarket supply chains. Freight Terminal Recovery (South Africa): SAFLA and the RFA are calling for a unified recovery plan to restore predictable cargo flow at Durban Gateway Terminal after major delays and longer port call times. Fuel Cost Relief (Malaysia): Malaysia restored the BUDI95 RON95 basic quota to 300 litres from 200, aiming to ease transport costs for households reliant on private vehicles.

Strait of Hormuz Dispute: Iran and the US trade claims as daily tanker traffic drops to under 20 vessels, with Iran insisting the waterway remains closed on its terms while US officials report heavy passage and oil movement. Ukraine Logistics Under Fire: Russia says it struck ports, fuel tanker areas, and logistics centers in Kyiv, Odesa and Mykolaiv regions, aiming at facilities supporting Ukraine’s military supply chain. US Legal Fight Over Pipeline: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer filed a response brief in the Enbridge Line 5 lawsuit, arguing the Great Lakes pipeline poses ongoing public health and environmental risks. Local Transit Gaps: Pune’s People Near Transit study finds 94% of residents live near public transport, but only 21% have frequent bus service, down from 66% in 2019. Food Waste Cleanup: Lineage Logistics says it has completed bulk food waste removal at its burned Boyle Heights cold storage, starting a final seven-day cleanup clock. Disaster Response & Transport: Nepal-China flood rescue continues with hundreds dead and thousands missing, while Aceh in Indonesia resumes a Ro-Ro route to Penang after flood suspension. Cold Chain Boost: Bungoma County in Kenya commissioned a vaccine cold room and specialized transport truck to improve storage and distribution.

Maritime & Trade Security: Russia says it hit Ukraine logistics centers and ports, including Izmail and Mykolaiv, while Turkey summoned Ukraine’s ambassador after drone damage to two Turkish-operated vessels in the Black Sea, underscoring fresh risks for civilian shipping. Strait of Hormuz Watch: With mine-clearing claims and shifting corridor plans, shipping traffic remains pressured and volatile, keeping freight and routing decisions front and center. Shipping Capacity & Investment: Maersk discussed investing in Bangladesh shipbuilding and recycling, while India floated a plan to add 100 vessels over five years to cut reliance on foreign tonnage. Logistics Real Estate: India’s 3PL sector continues to dominate warehousing demand, with JLL citing sustained absorption and a shift toward institutional-grade, tech-ready facilities. Road & Public Transport Moves: Delhi auto unions threatened a Sept 9 strike after a CNG price jump; Bangladesh PM ordered ETC rollout within four months to tackle Dhaka traffic; Aceh is reviving a Ro-Ro route to Penang after flood suspension. Safety & Disruption: Gauteng EMS crews were attacked on South Africa’s N1 while transporting a patient; Caltrans issued next-week lane and ramp closure advisories in California. Ports/Terminals Deal: RSGT and CMA CGM signed a $434m agreement to develop Jeddah Port terminal capacity.