Supply Chain Briefing — 2026-06-28 브리핑
Increased supply pushed oil to a four-month low, while copper futures climbed 1% and AI chip demand is bottlenecking global shipping capacity.
Supply Chain Briefing — 2026-06-28

1. Commodities Market Trends
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Crude Oil (WTI): $70.24 USD/barrel, down 2.34% (-$1.68). Supply concerns eased as more tankers passed through the Strait of Hormuz, hitting a four-month low.
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Brent Crude: $73.08 USD/barrel, up 1.51% (+$1.09).
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Natural Gas (Henry Hub NYMEX): $3.29 USD, down 0.24% (-$0.01).
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Copper (COMEX): $6.14 USD/lb, up 1.05% (+$0.06). Prices are trading near all-time highs, but smelting fees have collapsed to record lows.
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Gold (COMEX): $4,064.50 USD/oz, up 0.82% (+$33.20).
2. Supply Chain Issues
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AI/Semiconductor Cargoes Tighten Shipping Capacity: AI data center and semiconductor shipments are straining global air and sea freight markets, with significant congestion on U.S.-bound ocean routes. Despite lower fuel surcharges, strong tech export demand is expected to keep freight rates firm.
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China Leading Global EV Supply Chain Restructuring: As China pivots from a manufacturing hub to a major global EV exporter, it is aggressively reshaping the automotive supply chain.

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Cobalt Supply Chain Vulnerability: The global cobalt supply chain is more interconnected and fragile than previously thought; disruptions could trigger widespread ripple effects across multiple nations and industries. Protecting battery supply chains requires system-wide coordination.
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Tungsten Shortages Hitting Chip Manufacturing: China’s tungsten export controls are pressuring global supply chains, with concerns mounting over production cut plans by Japanese tungsten hexafluoride producers. Increased recycling capacity is essential.
3. Core Industry Trends
Semiconductors
- Global Restructuring: Companies and governments are rethinking chip production footprints, with geopolitical diversification as the primary concern.
Secondary Batteries & EVs
- Industry Optimism in Battery Storage: Growing demand for battery storage systems, driven by falling costs and widespread adoption, is offsetting some slowdowns in the EV market, leading major lithium producers to feel optimistic about a market recovery.

- China EV Export Dynamics: Following federal rules enacted in January 2026, supply chain diversification is accelerating as components from Foreign Entities of Concern (FEOC)—including China—must stay below 50% for tax credits.
4. Corporate Moves
- EDF Sells North American Business: French power group EDF has agreed to sell EDF Power Solutions in the U.S. and Canada to private equity firm KKR.
5. Daily Insight
The drop in oil prices reflects eased geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, reducing oversupply concerns. While copper and precious metal prices remain firm, the collapse of copper smelting fees signals a supply saturation.
Supply chain-wise, the most critical takeaway is how AI chip shipments are dominating global shipping markets. As geopolitical realignment in semiconductors and battery raw materials (like Chinese tungsten and cobalt) accelerates, U.S. and EU supply chain security policies will likely intensify.
6. What to Watch Next
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Saudi Aramco Helicopter Crash: An Aramco helicopter crashed at the Ras Tanura oil facility in Saudi Arabia, resulting in 14 deaths. Re-evaluation of oil supply risks near the Strait of Hormuz is required.
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European Heatwave: Record-breaking heat in France has caused over 1,000 deaths and impacted power generation and infrastructure, affecting energy supply chains.
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China Fuel Export Quotas: China is expected to increase fuel export quotas for state-owned refiners in July compared to June.
7. Reader Action Items
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Monitor Shipping Capacity: Expect freight rates to stay firm due to the surge in AI chip shipments. Incorporate surcharges into long-term shipping contracts.
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Prepare for Geopolitical Shifts: With China’s tungsten/cobalt export controls and tightening U.S./EU trade policies, re-examine strategies to secure secondary suppliers.
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Explore Battery Storage Opportunities: Growing demand for battery storage projects is offsetting EV market deceleration. Review investments in the energy storage sector.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.