This Week's Top Five Stories in Supply Chain

Has the IMO’s Vote Put Trade’s Low-Carbon Future on Hold?

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has voted to delay adoption of its Net-Zero Framework (NZF) by one year, pushing a landmark decision on maritime decarbonisation into 2026.

The motion, tabled by Singapore and brought to a vote by Saudi Arabia, passed on the final day of the Marine Environment Protection Committee’s second extraordinary session (MEPC/ES.2), held from 14 to 17 October 2025 in London.

The outcome was close enough to raise eyebrows across boardrooms and bridge decks .

Votes were: Yes 57, No 49, Abstention 21, with 8 not present. A simple majority of 54 was required.

The extraordinary session is now adjourned for 12 months, with the Secretariat tasked to reconvene in a year.

Why Canada is Unhappy About Stellantis' $13bn US Investment

Automotive giant Stellantis made headlines in recent days when it announced an eye-watering US$13bn investment in the US.

But now the car manufacturer could be in hot water with Canada government after seemingly turning its back on the North American neighbour. 

The Canadian government is threatening legal action against Stellantis over fears it will abandon existing commitments. 

EssilorLuxottica: How to Automate Distribution Effectively

EssilorLuxottica is a global leader in eyewear and eye care, with a mission to help people everywhere 'see more and be more'.

The organisation brings together advanced lens technology, iconic brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley and one of the world’s largest retail and eye care networks.

At the helm of distribution network is Naveen Chandra, who oversee teams responsible for slotting, warehouse optimisation and orchestration across multiple facilities and channels.

Here, Naveen explains why human-machine orchestration, well-trained teams and structured processes are essential to making automation work.

How a Cocoa Shortage Put Penguin Bars on Thin Ice

If you're reaching for a Club or Penguin bar hoping for a chocolate fix, think again. 

The popular snacks no longer qualify as chocolate under UK regulations because their coating now contains too little cocoa to legally carry the label.

Manufacturer Pladis is adapting to major cost pressures driven by a fragile cocoa supply chain.

The UK cannot grow cocoa. Instead, it comes from a narrow belt around the equator, with more than half of the UK's cocoa beans sourced from the Ivory Coast and Ghana. However, these countries face a challenging mix of weather extremes. 

Faced with this reality, procurement teams at Pladis have had to make changes. 

UNCTAD: Fragile Logistics Threatens Sustainable Development

Trade disruptions have become commonplace across the globe, but often the biggest hits are taken by developing nations. 

It's why ministers participating in the 16th UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD16) have called for a coordinated investment in more sustainable logistics networks. 

Ministers at UNCTAD16 warned that many supply chains are close to breaking point. If nothing changes, inequality in global supply chains will likely deepen and recent progress could stall.

With logistics networks fragile amid ongoing instability and shifting regulations, trade is increasingly at risk. Sustainable development is under threat as key trade arteries grow more congested and bottlenecks more frequent.