The new pick-and-pack robots rolling through warehouses are finding one thing tough to reach: a reliable internet signal. The automation crucial to a growing share of distribution operations depends on high-speed connections to keep systems on track. The WSJ Logistics Report’s Liz Young writes that many companies upgrading their technology are finding that internet connections often fall short of the needs of new, high-powered automation technology. For some that has become a hurdle to getting the most out of robotics designed to run faster and more efficiently. High-speed 5G wireless cellular technology can help solve the problem. But experts say not all warehouse automation can run off 5G, and robots built to work with Wi-Fi often have to be adapted to 5G. The issue highlights the challenges companies face as they add technology to a wide range of logistics operations, including upgrades that can be expensive and time-consuming.

A race for supremacy is underway in soybean supply chains. Biotech soybean provider Corteva has been flexing its muscles with seeds that the company says now make up more than half the market. That means the four-year-old DowDupont spinoff has likely overtaken German agriculture and pharmaceutical giant Bayer to become the crop-seed maker in a consolidating market, the WSJ’s Patrick Thomas reports. Together, Bayer and Corteva sell roughly 70% of all corn and soybean seeds planted in the U.S., up from about 40% two decades ago, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The companies are in hot competition for the billions of dollars farmers spend each year on seed-and-chemical combinations. Bayer and Corteva also make hundreds of millions of dollars licensing to other seed suppliers the genetic technology that enables crops to resist specific weedkillers. The stakes are enormous in a U.S. market for soybeans, the nation’s second-largest crop by acreage behind corn.

U.S. industrial production jumped 0.4% from July to August. (MarketWatch)

The cost of imported goods in the U.S. rose at the fastest pace in 15 months in August on rising fuel expenses. (MarketWatch)

A measure of manufacturing activity in New York state jumped back into expansion and shipment growth accelerated. (MarketWatch)

Relief workers in Libya say the magnitude of the death and destruction from floods is overwhelming their ability to provide aid. (WSJ)

The European Union lifted restrictions on purchases of Ukrainian grain while Poland maintained the bar. (WSJ)

Instacart raised the target price for its initial public offering following the successful debut Thursday of Arm. (WSJ)

Boating products retail chain West Marine is restructuring its roughly $800 million of debt out of court. (WSJ)

Chevron's two western Australian plants continued liquefied natural gas exports despite stepped-up labor actions and a production outage. (Reuters)

International prices of coal climbed to a four-month high on surging Chinese demand. (Nikkei Asia)

Maritime tycoon George Economou is undertaking a proxy fight over ship operator Performance Shipping. (TradeWinds)

Mediterranean Shipping’s bid to buy Port of Hamburg container terminal operator HHLA is drawing heated opposition from local and industry officials. (Splash 247)

Singapore’s first electric cargo vessel is due to start sea trials and launch in the fourth quarter. (Bloomberg)

Discount retailer Dollar General is expanding its private truck fleet  (Trucking Dive)

U.S. apparel retailer True Religion is expanding into several countries following its announced launch in China. (Women’s Wear Daily)

Forwarder DSV is bucking market trends by expanding its use of air cargo charters. (The Loadstar)

The forwarding unit of Estes Express Lines acquired Minnesota-based shipping services provider Superior Brokerage. (Virginia Business)

Canada’s TFI International acquired food-grade tanker trucker Vedder Transportation. (Commercial Carrier Journal)

Colliers says the average rents for large warehouses in the U.K. rose 10.1% over the past year. (Logistics Manager)

Paul Page is editor of WSJ Logistics Report. Reach him at paul.page@wsj.com.

Follow the WSJ Logistics Report team: @PaulPage, @bylizyoung and @pdberger. Follow the WSJ Logistics Report on X at @WSJLogistics.