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Setting Sail Towards Sustainability: The Impact of California's Vessel Speed Reduction Program on Blue Whales and Beyond

By
JAS Sustainability Team
February 18, 2024
Blue Whale with Cargo Ship in the Background
Blue Whale with Cargo Ship in the Background

Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies is a voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) Program along the coast of California which incentivizes companies to incorporate sustainable shipping practices across their global supply chain. By creating seasonal and predictable slow speed zones, this program helps companies protect endangered whales, reduce fuel use and regional greenhouse gas emissions, and improve air quality and human health outcomes.

The program runs each year from mid-May to December to coincide with peak ozone and whale feeding and migration. The program covers two geographic regions, one along the Southern California coast and one outside the San Francisco Bay Area.

Since 2014, the program has achieved an estimated 44% decrease in the risk of whale strikes. 

As an ambassador, JAS engages with its shipping partners operating in the area, recognizes the shared vision and commitment with those already involved in vessel speed reduction, and further encourages other ocean carriers to participate in the program. 

“What makes the BWBS initiative stand out is that it not only addresses carbon emissions, but also safeguards biodiversity. By voluntarily reducing vessel speed (VSR) along the California coast, ocean carriers commit to protecting blue whales and raising industry awareness. JAS supports this initiative and will further engage its logistics partners on the key role whales play in the environment and our responsibility to improve the ocean ecosystem.” -Andrea Goeman, SVP QHSE & Sustainability, JAS Worldwide
“Being an ambassador for the BWBS Program is a great initiative towards more sustainable ocean freight solutions. It is a way to further engage with our carriers, with whom we share values towards a sustainable transformation, and an example of how collaboration can be beneficial for the logistics ecosystem, our customers, and the environment.” -Lars Huebecker, EVP Global Head of Ocean Freight
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Latest News

The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year Master Contract, helping to provide stability for East and Gulf Coast ports.

The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have reached a tentative agreement on a new six-year Master Contract, helping to provide stability for East and Gulf Coast ports. The agreement, announced on January 8, 2025, prevents a potential work stoppage scheduled for January 15.


In a joint statement, the ILA and USMX highlighted the agreement's importance: "This agreement protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while modernizing East and Gulf coast ports – making them safer and more efficient, and creating the capacity they need to keep our supply chains strong."


The contract, which is subject to ratification by both parties, supports job creation and port efficiency while helping sustain the U.S. economy's role in global trade. Further details will remain confidential until the review and approval process is complete.


This milestone agreement marks a collaborative step forward for the maritime industry, ensuring stability and growth in the years to come.

JAS Argentina is honored as a Great Place to Work for the 5th year in a row, recognizing its commitment to a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

Buenos Aires, Argentina –– JAS Worldwide is proud to announce that its Argentina office has been recognized as a Great Place to Work for the fifth consecutive year. This award highlights the teams commitment to creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

The recognition as a Great Place to Work is based on direct feedback from employees and reflects JAS Argentina’s dedication to upholding the highest standards in workplace excellence.  

“We are honored to receive this recognition for the fifth year in a row,” said Patricio Pranzetti, Managing Director of JAS Argentina. “Our team is the heart of our success, and this achievement reflects their passion, dedication, and commitment to building a workplace where everyone can excel. Together, we will continue to create a culture of innovation, trust, and excellence.”

JAS Argentina’s recognition underscores the company’s broader global vision to create a unified, inclusive, and engaging work environment across all its offices. By investing in people, processes, and technology, JAS Worldwide empowers its employees to deliver exceptional service and innovative solutions to customers around the world.

JAS Argentina is honored to celebrate this milestone alongside its talented team and looks forward to continuing its legacy of excellence in the years ahead.

Arctic transport in action.

JAS Projects and JAS Sweden are proud to share an exciting achievement in heavy transport, executed deep in northern Sweden near the Polar Circle. This unique project involves the movement of oversized cargo through challenging winter conditions, where temperatures plummet as low as minus 15 degrees Celsius. 

The cargos dimensions are impressive: 

  • Max Weight: 240 tons 
  • Max Length: 49 meters 
  • Max Width: 6.5 meters 
  • Max Height: 5.15 meters 

Transporting such massive loads requires meticulous planning, technical expertise, and flawless teamwork—all of which were on full display as our team worked tirelessly to ensure safe and efficient delivery through the icy terrain. 

Luiz Dos Santos, Project Coordinator at JAS Projects, accompanied the operation and shared his firsthand experience. For Luiz, this was his first opportunity to be on-site for a heavy-lift transport, and it proved to be both thrilling and educational: 

"A thrilling mission in the far north. I accompanied the heavy transport from start to finish through the icy winter landscape of northern Sweden. It was an extraordinary and impressive experience to see the required precision and flawless teamwork with my own eyes. The execution, as well as the planning, are significantly more complex than they often appear from the desk. So, it was all the more helpful to have experienced the entire process firsthand."

This operation is a testament to the team's commitment to excellence, even in extreme environments. From intricate planning to navigating unpredictable Arctic conditions, the success of this transport highlights our ability to deliver solutions tailored to every challenge. 

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