Dynamo Dispatch. A weekly update from Dynamo Ventures covering the latest and greatest in supply chain, mobility, and building venture-scale businesses.
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Weekly Commentary đ
Geopolitics, trade tensions, and tech innovation continue to to reshape supply chains in real time. China is merging its two biggest shipbuilders into a $16B giant, bolstering its naval and commercial clout, while the US attempts to revitalize its own shipbuilding industry. Domestically, solar makers are racing to localize their supply chains, while freight volumes keep sliding under the weight of tariffs and demand shifts. As always, read on for more!
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â China Creates Worldâs No. 1 Shipbuilder, Driven by Rivalry With US. China is finalizing a $16B merger of its two state-owned shipbuildersâCSSC and CSICâcreating the worldâs largest shipbuilding company with over 530 vessels on order and annual revenue of about $18B. The consolidation strengthens Chinaâs commercial dominance (already 55% of global shipbuilding output) while bolstering military production under Beijingâs military-civil fusion strategy. Although US tariffs on Chinese-built ships are pushing some owners toward Korean and Japanese yards, analysts warn China views shipbuilding as a âcore capability,â and the new giant will accelerate upgrades in both commercial and naval capacity amid intensifying global rivalry. Related, US Seeks Shipbuilding Expertise From South Korea and Japan to Counter China and Can We Jumpstart American Shipbuilding?
T1, Corning Reach Deal to Make Fully American-Made Solar Panels. T1 Energy and Corning are building a fully US-made solar chain, extending their poly-silicon deal to add Michigan wafers (starting 2H 2026), Austin cell production, and Dallas module assembly. The pact targets demand created by FEOC restrictions in President Trumpâs One Big Beautiful Bill Act, counters Chinaâs wafer dominance, and will support ~6,000 jobs across MI and TX. This positions T1 for federal credits and supply-chain de-riskingâlikely enabling pricing power and easier financing. Related, Corning, T1 Energy Agree to US Domestic Solar Polysilicon, Wafer Supply Deal.
Freight Shipment Decline Streak Extends to 30 Months, Cass Says. Cass Information Systems reported that US freight volumes fell 6.9% year-over-year in Julyâthe sharpest decline since Januaryâmarking three consecutive months of sequential drops as tariffs and earlier demand pull-forwards weighed on shipments. Despite weaker volumes, freight expenditures rose 0.4% year-over-year, with actual freight rates up nearly 8% due to a shift toward truckload shipments, though spot rates remain largely flat. Cass expects shipments to fall another 8% in August, highlighting that while tariffs create short-term pressure on demand, tighter capacity could eventually push more freight back into the for-hire market. Elsewhere, Air Freight Rates Hold Steady, but Demand Growth is 'on the Decline'.
Panama Canal to Launch Tender for Construction, Operation of Two Ports. The Panama Canal Authority is preparing to launch a competitive tender in early 2026 for two new port projects as part of an $8.B, five-year expansion plan aimed at boosting cargo handling, storage, and gas transport services, while also securing fresh water for operations. A major component of the plan includes building a dam on the Indio River to create a new reservoir, though the project faces a legal challenge from local communities. Additional tenders, such as for a liquefied petroleum gas pipeline, are also under consideration, while the canalâs expansion efforts unfold against a backdrop of US criticism of Chinese influence in Panama and the pending $22.8B sale of CK Hutchisonâs global port assets, including two Panamanian ports, to a BlackRock- and MSC-led group.
Trump Says Tariff Rate on Semiconductors Could Reach 300%. Nvidia and AMD Stocks Fall. President Trump suggested tariffs on items like chips and steel could rise as high as 200â300%, with specific rates to be set in the next two weeks. He said the tariffs would start lower and escalate over time, encouraging companies to move manufacturing to the US to avoid the levies. The announcement pressured chipmaker stocksâAMD, Broadcom, and Nvidia all slippedâwhile the Nasdaq Composite edged slightly lower. Related, The Push to Restore Semiconductor Manufacturing Faces a Labor Crisis â Can the US Train Enough Workers in Time?
Shared-Terminal Operator Rolls Out AI-Based Gate Security Platform. Outpost, which offers shared trucking terminals, has launched an AI-powered gate automation system to improve both security and supply chain visibility at fleet yards. The platform identifies trucks, drivers, and trailer seals as they approach, integrating this data into a central management layer that enhances coordination, lowers costs, and reduces reliance on manual gatehouse staffâpotentially cutting expenses by up to 70%. By embedding this system into its network of shared terminals, Outpost aims to create efficiencies across multiple carriers and shippers, while also offering the technology to external facilities facing similar bottlenecks at their gates.
US Embeds Trackers in AI Chip Shipments to Catch Diversions to China, Sources Say. US authorities are secretly embedding trackers in shipments of advanced AI chips and servers to catch illegal diversions to China, with devices sometimes hidden in packaging or inside the hardware itself. The Commerce Department, FBI, and Homeland Security use the tactic selectively to build cases against smugglers and enforce strict export controls on Nvidia, AMD, and others. This marks a sharper US enforcement stance that raises compliance risks across the AI hardware supply chain, putting chipmakers, server vendors, and distributors under tighter scrutiny. Also, Trump Gave China the AI Chips it Wanted. Beijing Isnât Saying Thank You and Trump's Tracking of AI Chip Shipments Exposes Flaws in His Export Control.
EU Push to Protect Digital Rules Holds Up Trade Statement with US. The EU and US are struggling to finalize a joint trade statement, stalled by disputes over the EUâs Digital Services Act and timelines for tariff cuts. Washington wants room to challenge the blocâs digital rules and secure faster access for US goods, while Brussels is holding firm and delaying legal changes. Though the deal caps most tariffs at 15% with limited exemptions, many in Europe view it as one-sided, requiring heavy energy purchases from the US The delay highlights unresolved tensions over digital regulation and market access that could shape the operating environment for tech, auto, and industrial sectors on both sides of the Atlantic. For more, check out Europe Trade Deal Statement Stalled Over EUâs Desire to Regulate Tech.
Hapag-Lloyd Narrows Guidance Despite Heightened Uncertainty From Global Tensions. Hapag-Lloyd lowered the top end of its earnings forecast as tariffs, Red Sea disruptions, and weaker shipping demand weigh on the outlook. The company said many customers rushed orders earlier this year ahead of US tariffs, which could now slow volumes, sending its shares down 11%. Cost cuts and a new partnership with Maersk are expected to save $1B by 2026, but near-term growth looks limited. The update highlights how trade tensions and geopolitical risks are making global shipping less predictable, with knock-on effects for exporters and supply chains.
US-India Trade Talks Called Off: Reports. The US has scrapped this monthâs trade delegation to New Delhi, stalling a near-term breakthrough and leaving talks without a new date. The pause coincides with a Trump order adding 25% tariffs tied to Indiaâs Russian oil purchases, drawing sharp pushback from New Delhi even as most issues were reportedly close to resolved. This may lead to higher costs and supply-chain friction for USâIndia exposed firms and a greater risk of retaliatory steps, with timing on any deal now highly uncertain. Related, Uncertainty Over Trade Deal with US as August Talks Put Off.
The Future of Supply Chain đïž
Check out our podcast series thatâs been running since 2018. On each episode of the Future of Supply Chain, we sit down with a different entrepreneur, investor, or industry veteran to discuss innovation, technology, and the most exciting opportunities in supply chain as we build the future of the industry together.
Fundraises and M&A đž
Infinity Loop Raises $5M in Seed Funding. Infinity Loop offers an AI-native contract intelligence platform that helps enterprises analyze vendor agreements, flag weak terms, and optimize negotiations for cost savings. The funding will support go-to-market expansion and accelerate adoption of the platform. Glasswing Ventures and TIAA Ventures co-led the Seed round, with particition from Plug and Play, Restive Ventures, and angel investors.
Bumper Raises $11M in Series B-1 Funding. Bumper provides an interest-free buy now, pay later (BNPL) platform that helps drivers spread the cost of car repairs. The new funding will support expansion into additional European markets and further development of its full-stack payments and software platform for car retailers. The round was led by Autotech Ventures with participation from Suzuki Global Ventures, Porsche Ventures, Jaguar Land Roverâs InMotion Ventures, and Shell Ventures.
Certivity Raises âŹ13.3M in Series A Funding. Certivity provides an AI-native SaaS platform that automates compliance with complex regulatory requirements in industries such as automotive. The funding will be used to enhance the platformâs AI capabilities, expand regulatory coverage, deepen integrations, grow the team, and enter new markets. Almaz Capital and UVC Partners co-led the Series A round, with participation from Earlybird X, High-Tech GrĂŒnderfonds (HTGF), and Plug and Play.
FORT Robotics Raises $18.9M in Series B Funding. FORT Robotics develops a safety and security platform for intelligent machines, enabling dynamic control across autonomous systems in sectors such as construction, agriculture, and factory automation. The new capital will support product enhancements, next-generation safety features, and broader deployment of its platform globally. Tiger Global led the round, with participation from Neman Ventures, Mana Ventures, Gaingels, Ryuu Co., and returning investors including Prime Movers Lab and Mark Cuban.
GoodShip Raises $25M in Series B Funding. GoodShip offers an AI-powered freight management platform that replaces traditional spreadsheet-based systems with integrated, data-driven logistics solutions for enterprise shippers. The funds will be used to expand the platformâs capabilities, enhance automation, and support the companyâs new headquarters and team growth in Bellevue. Greenfield Partners led the round, with participation from returning investors Bessemer Venture Partners, Ironspring Ventures, Chicago Ventures, and FUSE VC.
plancraft Raises âŹ38M in Series B Funding. plancraft offers AI-first SaaS tools designed to streamline administrative tasks for tradespeople, digitizing workflows such as quoting, time tracking, and job site documentation. The funding will support expansion across Europe, team growth, and development of AI agents to automate core business operations for construction professionals. Headline led the Series B round, with continued backing from Creandum, HTGF, and xdeck.
Squint Raises $40M in Series B Funding. Squint offers a âManufacturing Intelligence Platformâ, that uses AI and AR to optimize frontline operations across industrial sectors. The funding will be used to enhance Squintâs AI capabilities, expand integration into manufacturing workflows, and grow into adjacent sectors such as energy, logistics, and field services. The round was co-led by The Westly Group and TCV, with continued participation from Sequoia Capital and Menlo Ventures.
BinSentry Raises $50M in Series C Funding. BinSentry provides AI-powered sensors and software that enable real-time monitoring and automation of feed inventory for large-scale animal agriculture operations. The new funds will accelerate BinSentry's global expansion and support continued innovation in its feed logistics platform. Lead Edge Capital led the Series C round, joining a roster of backers supporting BinSentryâs rapid growth and international reach.
Echo Global Logistics Acquires FreightSaver to Expand Managed Transportation Capabilities. Echo Global Logistics has acquired FreightSaver, a tech-enabled third-party logistics provider specializing in Full Truckload, LTL, Expedited, and Managed Transportation services. The acquisition will strengthen Echoâs client base and capabilities in the Managed Transportation segment, particularly in personalized and responsive freight solutions.
Who's Hiring? đ©âđ»
Be sure to check out the Dynamo website for more job opportunities at our portfolio companies!
Account Representative at sennder in Barcelona, Spain.
Senior Manager, Engineering at Stord in Atlanta, Georgia (Remote).
Accountant at Solvento in Ciudad de MĂ©xico, Miguel Hidalgo (Hybrid).