SRS Spotlight News

Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports Face Strike Deadline Today

lpalmer@supplyrisk.com (Lauren Palmer) — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 21:36:00 GMT

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach face a potential strike involving maritime security workers as a contract extension between the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 26 is set to expire at 5:00 PM Pacific Time today, November 4. The extension postponed a walkout originally threatened for November 1, allowing negotiations to continue with assistance from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

Dockworkers Strike at More Than 100 Ports Worldwide Over Arms Shipments

lpalmer@supplyrisk.com (Lauren Palmer) — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Dockworkers launched coordinated strikes and protests across 113 ports in 22 countries on October 30, protesting military conflicts, arms shipments through commercial ports, and working conditions.

IMF Warns Dwindling Energy Inventories Leave Global Economy Vulnerable to Further Disruptions; Diesel Shortages Set to Persist Through Q4; PHP Vulnerabilities Spark Global Cybersecurity Alert

lpalmer@supplyrisk.com (Lauren Palmer) — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Dwindling global oil inventories are leaving the global economy increasingly vulnerable to further energy supply disruptions from the ongoing Middle East conflict, according to the IMF. While inventory drawdowns, supply diversification and lower energy intensity have helped cushion the initial impact on energy markets, capacity for further adjustments is narrowing. Global oil reserves continue to decline by approximately 2.7 million barrels per day per the IMF, approaching critical levels that could trigger sharp price increases if additional disruptions occur. The IMF warns that continued inventory depletion and limited supply flexibility could make future disruptions more severe, driving higher energy costs, inflation, and slower global economic growth. Oil inventory drawdowns leave global economy vulnerable to fresh shocks – IMF (see external link)

Saudi Airports Damaged by Houthi Strikes; G7 Coordinates Emergency Oil Release; India Pharma Faces Rising API Prices and Supply Constraints

lpalmer@supplyrisk.com (Lauren Palmer) — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Houthi attacks struck airports in Jazan and Najran in southern Saudi Arabia, injuring three people and causing property damage, according to Saudi Arabia’s Civil Aviation Authority. The strikes came after Saudi Arabia and its allies launched a counteroffensive to retake Red Sea territory from the Houthis, whose position near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait allows them to threaten Saudi oil shipments. The Houthis also warned international airlines to avoid most Saudi airspace. Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Strike Two Airports in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia says three wounded in attacks on airports near Yemen border (see external links)

Oil Execs Warn Market Turmoil Could Persist for Years

lpalmer@supplyrisk.com (Lauren Palmer) — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Shipping bottlenecks, deep cuts in refinery output and inventory draws that could take years to replace are expected to keep global oil prices high beyond 2026, industry executives said at a conference in London.

U.S. SPR Drawdown Nears Threshold; U.S. Weighs Diesel Export Ban; Gulf Crude Oil Exports Approach Prewar Levels; U.S.-China Consider Tariff Cuts; Panama Canal Transit Costs Surge

lpalmer@supplyrisk.com (Lauren Palmer) — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

The U.S. is in the process of releasing the final 40 million barrels of the 172 million barrels originally authorized as part of the IEA-coordinated response to the Iran war. This would bring the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to approximately 241 million barrels—below the 252.4 million-barrel level at which oversight from congress and the Defense Department takes effect. The Department of Energy offers oil releases from the SPR through exchanges, with participating companies required to return the borrowed crude to the SPR plus interest also paid in oil to the SPR. The repayments of the 172 million barrel released from the SPR in 2026 can begin in late 2026 and most repayments must be completed in 2028. The repayments will have the effect of reducing oil supply from the market. The United States Energy Department Continues Execution of Strategic Reserve Release Commitments, United States to Release 172 Million Barrels of Oil From the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (see external links)

AHRMM/AHA Supply Chain Resource Council Report (September 2026)

lpalmer@supplyrisk.com (Lauren Palmer) — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

BD is conducting a recall of specific lots of ChloraPrep applicators due to a potential breach of sterility, including product that may have an open or incomplete seal on the applicator packaging. The recall extends to convenience kits containing the affected applicators.

Shrinking Buffers Put Oil and Raw Materials at Greater Risk

lpalmer@supplyrisk.com (Lauren Palmer) — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Chevron CEO Mike Wirth warned that strategic reserves and commercial inventories are largely depleted, putting oil and raw materials at greater risk as disruptions from the Middle East conflict continue.

Shutdown of Saudi Oil Pipeline Removes 4% of Global Oil Supply

lpalmer@supplyrisk.com (Lauren Palmer) — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

The Saudi Arabian East-West oil pipeline was shut down Friday after multiple drone attacks left it in flames. The shutdown takes a major Saudi crude export route carrying 4% of global oil supply offline. The Associated Press quoted regional officials who estimated the pipeline would be offline for three to five weeks for repairs. Other oil industry analysts estimated six weeks.

Houthis Gain Control of Bab el-Mandeb Strait as Saudi Oil Pipeline Is Shut Down

lpalmer@supplyrisk.com (Lauren Palmer) — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

The Houthis now control the Yemin’s entire Red Sea coast including the island of Perim in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the mouth of the Red Sea. The Houthis have declared the Bab el-Mandeb Strait off limits to any Saudi ships.