Logistics Matters with DC VELOCITY Guest: Ian Massey of S-RM on the ongoing supply chain impacts from the war against Iran; What is “port proximate” and why is it changing?; Work remains to optimize pharmaceutical supply chains.
Mar 27, 2026
Ian Massey, Head of Corporate Intelligence, EMEA at S-RM, advises firms on geopolitical risk and resilience. He discusses how the war with Iran is disrupting shipping, air cargo, and energy flows. He outlines scenario planning for escalation versus de-escalation. The conversation also covers why distributors are moving away from port-proximate warehouses and the slow, cautious roll-out of AI in pharmaceutical supply chains.
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Just-in-Time Chains Are Vulnerable In Conflict
- Modern supply chains prioritize efficiency and run just-in-time, making them highly vulnerable to sudden regional instability.
- Ian Massey explains that uncertainty in the Iran war creates planning challenges because low-inventory models lack buffers for disruption.
Iran Targets Infrastructure To Cause Economic Impact
- Iran's asymmetric response targets transport, energy, and digital infrastructure to maximize economic pain.
- Ian Massey notes strikes have hit ports, airports, energy sites and even data centers as a deliberate strategy.
Run Scenario Planning For Three Conflict Paths
- Plan for three scenarios: significant escalation, protracted contained conflict, and de-escalation.
- Ian Massey recommends mapping each scenario to likely impacts on assets, duration, and required actions ahead of time.