In a pivotal development for global logistics, the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) jointly announced late on October 3 that they reached a tentative wage agreement. The Master Contract, governing work at East and Gulf Coast ports, has been extended until January 15, 2025, allowing further negotiations on unresolved issues. As a result, all job actions have ceased, and port operations will resume immediately under the Master Contract.
While this agreement averts a prolonged crisis that could have severely impacted global supply chains, the three-day strike has already caused significant operational disruptions. It is anticipated that full port recovery will take between 2-3 weeks, depending on how swiftly dockworkers manage the backlog of vessels waiting to unload billions of dollars worth of goods. However, it is important to note that not all terminals have reopened immediately. Some port gates will only reopen on October 7, and vessel operations have staggered reopening times, further complicating the situation.
Vessels Anchored and Congestion Worsening
Even though operations have restarted, many container ships remain anchored off the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts, and new vessels continue to arrive. Several ships have diverted to ports such as Freeport, Bahamas, to offload U.S.-bound cargo. This diversion risks creating bottlenecks at critical transshipment hubs, including Cartagena, Panama, Kingston, and Caucedo. Clearing the backlog at these ports may take time, potentially leading to delays across global supply chains.
Spike in Freight Rates Linked to Strikes
Recent data indicates that freight rates have surged, with shippers feeling the direct impact of the strikes. On the most affected routes, such as North Europe to the U.S. East Coast, average spot rates have increased by 58% since the end of August. This highlights the immediate financial strain on businesses that rely on stable shipping rates.
Force Majeure, Surcharges, and Carrier Adjustments
Before the agreement, most major carriers, including COSCO, ONE, CMA CGM, and Evergreen, declared force majeure, which could result in additional charges for shippers in the coming weeks. Even though the strike has ended, it forced carriers to divert containers to alternative ports outside the U.S., creating further complications.
With the reopening of ports, shippers should stay vigilant regarding potential detention and demurrage fees, as the "stopping the clock" that applied during the strike no longer holds. Congestion over the next several weeks will only compound the situation.
Many carriers have also announced disruption surcharges, expected to come into effect by mid-October. However, it's worth noting that carriers often announce such fees but rarely communicate when they are rescinded. Shippers should not be surprised if these surcharges do not fully materialize. Businesses are advised to review shipping contracts, particularly force majeure clauses, to understand better how surcharges and additional costs may apply.
Global Disruptions Ripple Across Markets
While the strike has concluded, its after effects will likely be felt globally. A temporary reduction in export capacity from Europe is expected in about two weeks, which could apply upward pressure on freight rates. This pattern may also play out in other regions with a longer lag. The global logistics network will take time to normalize, and rates are expected to remain volatile.
Air Freight Surge as Shippers Seek Alternatives
With ocean freight options constrained, demand for air freight has skyrocketed, driving rates higher. Time-sensitive shipments are particularly affected, with shippers facing increased costs as air freight capacity tightens. Businesses relying on urgent deliveries should prepare for continued cost increases in the near future.
JAS Worldwide: Here to Support You
In these challenging times, JAS Worldwide remains dedicated to supporting your business. Our teams are actively monitoring the situation and delivering customized solutions to minimize disruptions. Whether you need air freight alternatives, rerouting options, or expert logistics advice, JAS Worldwide is ready to help you navigate these complexities. Reach out to your JAS representative today to develop a strategic plan that ensures your supply chain remains resilient and efficient.
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Atlanta, GA – August 1, 2025 – JAS is pleased to announce two leadership updates that reflect the company's continued focus on global growth, innovation, and delivering value to its customers.
Manuele Mazzacurati, currently serving as Executive Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing, has been appointed Interim Chief Commercial Officer following David Bang’s departure to pursue another opportunity outside the organization. With nearly 18 years at JAS, Mazzacurati brings a wealth of experience spanning operations, regional leadership, and global commercial strategy.
With a strong customer focus and a proven track record of success in diverse markets, he is well-positioned to lead the commercial organization through this transition. In this expanded role, Mazzacurati will continue to steer global sales efforts while ensuring continuity and alignment across JAS’s commercial priorities.
Angus Haig has also joined JAS as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. With more than 30 years of international legal and corporate experience, Haig brings strong expertise in global business law, compliance, and strategic counsel. He previously served as SVP & General Counsel at Cox Automotive and held senior legal roles during a 19-year tenure at The Coca-Cola Company.
Leveraging his collaborative approach and international experience, Haig will oversee legal and compliance matters across JAS’s operations, helping JAS stay aligned with its values while navigating an increasingly complex business environment.
“These appointments reflect the strength and depth of talent across our global team,” said Marco Rebuffi, President & CEO of JAS. “We thank David for his leadership in strengthening JAS's global presence and laying the foundation for sustainable growth. We are confident that Manuele and Angus will play pivotal roles in driving JAS forward as we continue to stay focused on what matters most—our customers, our people, and our shared future."
With these appointments, JAS continues to strengthen its global leadership team and remains committed to developing innovative, sustainable logistics solutions that meet today's needs while preparing for tomorrow's challenges.
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About JAS
JAS, a global leader in logistics and supply chain solutions, was founded in Milan, Italy, in 1978. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, and supported by 7,000+ team members in more than 100 countries, it builds innovative and sustainable solutions that focus on customer needs and a better future for all. At the heart of JAS's success is its people, who deliver customer value. As one of the largest and fastest-growing privately-owned logistics companies, JAS is committed to creating opportunities for our communities, customers, and colleagues to thrive. Together.
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ATLANTA, July 27, 2025 – JAS, a global leader in logistics and supply chain solutions, and Pentagon Freight Services ("Pentagon"), a highly specialized integrated Freight Forwarding, Project Logistics and Ships Agency provider headquartered in the UK, are pleased to announce the signing of a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA). This agreement represents a key step toward JAS's planned acquisition of Pentagon, which is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to regulatory approval.
"The Pentagon acquisition perfectly complements JAS's strategic goals, significantly increasing our ability to offer highly specialized logistics solutions for the oil and gas, marine, construction, and energy industries. We are looking forward to finalizing this acquisition to welcome Pentagon team members into the JAS family," said Marco Rebuffi, CEO and President of JAS.
"We are confident that JAS is the right company to expand our global network and achieve our growth ambitions. Our goal is to leverage our experience and continue to offer dedicated logistics solutions to our industry-leading clients. We look forward to growing stronger together with JAS," said Ashley Taylor, Group CEO of Pentagon.
Pentagon, headquartered in the UK, is a trusted provider of specialized freight forwarding, project logistics, and critical supply chain solutions for the oil and gas, energy, marine, and construction industries. With over 1200+ employees in 65 offices around the world, Pentagon's deep expertise and global reach will further enhance JAS's ability to deliver tailored, industry-specific solutions. This acquisition will strengthen JAS's position in these critical sectors, ensuring seamless and high-quality service that keeps complex customer operations moving across the globe.
Together, JAS and Pentagon will unlock new opportunities and deliver even greater value to customers by combining an expanded global network with a comprehensive portfolio of leading logistics solutions.
About JAS
JAS, a global leader in logistics and supply chain solutions, was founded in Milan, Italy, in 1978. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and supported by 7,000+ team members in more than 100 countries, JAS focuses on creating solutions that are innovative, sustainable, and tailored to customer needs. As a privately owned company, JAS is committed to creating opportunities for communities, customers, and colleagues to thrive.
About Pentagon
Pentagon is a highly specialized global Freight Forwarding, Project Logistics and Ships Agency provider with a worldwide network of over 1200 employees and 65 offices. Headquartered in the UK, Pentagon has more than 50 years’ experience in serving the oil and gas and energy sectors. Pentagon focuses on delivering globally integrated supply chain solutions with local expertise, individually tailored to customers’ operations and requirements.
We’ve been deeply embedded in the outdoor industry for over 25 years, and that specialization really makes a difference. We understand the seasonal rhythms, the need for resilience in both product and process, and the expectations around quality. Our logistics solutions are truly omnichannel — we seamlessly support eCommerce, wholesale, and retail, and do so with technology that ensures speed, accuracy, and full visibility. Our experience with RAB is a great example of how we help brands scale and replicate success globally.
What role does technology play in delivering these capabilities?
Technology is absolutely central. Our platform is designed for easy integration, even with complex legacy systems, and gives our clients real-time visibility across the full supply chain. From customs brokerage to last-mile delivery, our systems support fast decision-making and efficiency. But technology alone isn’t enough — it’s the people behind it that drive value. That’s why our motto is “People make the difference.” It’s a mindset that shapes how we operate and how we partner.
Sustainability is a growing priority for brands and consumers. How do you integrate it into your logistics model?
For us, sustainability isn’t a trend — it’s fundamental. From optimizing transportation routes to reducing packaging waste, we look at every aspect of our operations through a sustainability lens. We’re constantly innovating to reduce environmental impact, while still meeting the speed and service demands of modern retail. And because we serve multiple regions through a single integration, we help brands consolidate and simplify their logistics footprint globally.
Looking ahead, how do you see your value evolving for outdoor brands in a rapidly changing global market?
Outdoor brands are growing fast and going global — and they need logistics partners who can keep up. Our value lies in enabling rapid deployment, scalability, and consistency across markets like the UK, EU, USA, and Australia. Whether a brand is launching a new channel or expanding into a new region, we make that growth easy. We’re outdoors people ourselves, and that gives us a genuine understanding of the mission behind the products we help move. It’s more than logistics — it’s partnership, performance, and purpose.
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