ALERTS & ​ADVISORIES

UPDATED Customer Advisory: Red Sea Attacks and Suez Canal Bypass

By
December 29, 2023
Container Ship
Container Ship

Current Situation  

Two weeks into the crisis in the Red Sea, the situation continues to be critical and extremely dynamic. The world’s largest container carriers (VOCC’s) have chosen most of their voyages utilizing re-routing of their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope.

  • The US led 10-nation coalition of navy’s named “Operation Prosperity Guardian” continues their efforts to protect the selective voyages transiting the Suez Canal. 
  • While there have been no reported vessel attacks in the Red Sea in the last 48 hours, it is crucial to understand that the situation remains dynamic, and the risk of attacks remains high based on credible sources.  
  • In addition to the extra operational cost for carriers going around the Cape of Good Hope, this will also affect the cost of the recently advised ETS surcharges due to longer routes resulting in higher emissions. Same surcharge is valid from last non-EU port to first EU port (and vice versa) 

These incidents have increased the risk of shipping in the region, and we have seen action taken by most of the world's largest container carriers (VOCCs) to mitigate the risk for their employees and vessels operating in these waters.

Carrier Responses

Below is a recap of the current situation as announced by carriers today; however, the situation is very fluid and continues to evolve.

  • The carriers continue to re-route vessels with scheduled services from the Suez Canal around the Cape of Good Hope.  
  • Maersk and CMA-CGM are currently devising plans for the gradual increase of vessels transiting the Suez Canal, carefully monitoring the security situation for safe passage.  
  • A variety of surcharges have been announced by carriers in directly and indirectly impacted trade lanes, ranging from Peak Season to Operational Recovery to Contingency Adjustment surcharges to name a few.  

Going Forward

This conflict continues to have significant implications for Global trade. The global carrier community is citing impact to the equipment pool, balance as well as a potential vessel shift to facilitate operational network needs. JAS will continue to monitor the situation and keep you appraised accordingly.  

For any questions and concerns, please contact your local JAS office.

No items found.
Linkedin Logo

Alerts & ​Advisories

NEWS

Stay in the know with JAS
Advisories
news.

Latest News

Join JAS experts Laurie Arnold and Scott Cassell for a free webinar on March 25 at 3 PM EST, where they’ll break down the latest tariff regulations and what they mean for global trade.

Tariff regulations are evolving—are you prepared? Watch our exclusive webinar featuring JAS experts Laurie Arnold and Scott Cassell as they break down the latest updates on:

  • Canada, Mexico & China Tariffs
  • Steel & Aluminum and Derivatives
  • Key Impacts on Trade
  • And More!

Don’t miss these expert insights—stay informed and stay ahead! Watch now.

JAS and Naqel sign a strategic MoU to enhance Saudi Arabia’s logistics capabilities, combining global expertise with regional strength.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 24, 2025 – JAS and Naqel have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership. The partnership will combine Naqel's robust regional network with JAS's global logistics expertise. 

Naqel, a subsidiary of Saudi Post Logistics (SPL) provides comprehensive coverage across the GCC region. By partnering with JAS, one of the largest and fastest-growing privately-owned logistics companies, both organizations are well-positioned to support the Kingdom's ambitious plans and strengthen its role as a global logistics hub. 

"This partnership marks an exciting milestone for JAS as we expand our presence in Saudi Arabia," said Erwin Wittemaier, Area VP of JAS Middle East. "By combining our global reach with Naqel's deep-rooted regional expertise, we can unlock the full potential of the highly promising Saudi Arabian market."  

Dr. Sohail Choudhry, CEO of Naqel Express and Group Chief Commercial Officer of SPL said “This partnership is a bold step towards strengthening our joint position in the region, opening new trade lanes and supporting our SPL Group vision to be a National Logistics champion which reimagines logistics and enhances experiences for our customers” 

The MoU was signed by Dr. Adnan Almazrooa, Deputy CEO of Naqel, and Erwin Wittemaier, Area VP of JAS Middle East, in the presence of Dr. Sohail Choudhry, CEO of Naqel, Justin Sloan, Chief of Freight Forwarding at Naqel, and senior leaders from both organizations. 

This collaboration aims to develop strategic trade lanes, mitigate supply chain disruptions, and provide multi-modal logistics solutions that drive efficiency and resilience.  

By working together, JAS and Naqel will contribute to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals of enhancing trade integration, accelerating economic diversification, and fostering sustainable 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, 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. 

About Naqel Express by SPL 

NAQEL Express by SPL has been operating in the MENA region since 2005 and is now a proud member of the Saudi Post family. With a presence in 16 countries, it has established itself as a formidable force in logistics. With its unrivaled distribution network and robust fleet, NAQEL seamlessly connects you with even the most remote corners of Saudi Arabia. 

NAQEL provides tailored solutions and services such as speedy e-commerce and courier delivery, efficient road transport, smart warehousing and order fulfillment, global air and sea freight forwarding, seamless supply chain solutions, project management, 3PL services, and easy customs clearance. Committed to delivering innovative and sustainable solutions with a focus on environmental responsibility, NAQEL strives to lead the logistics industry towards a greener and more sustainable future. 

Meet the JAS team at Booth 71 LogiPharma 2025.

JAS is excited to announce its participation in LogiPharma 2025, the leading global supply chain conference for the life sciences industry. Taking place from April 8-10 at the Centre de Congrès de Lyon, France, the event brings together key industry leaders to discuss innovations and best practices in logistics.

As a trusted logistics partner, JAS will be exhibiting at Booth 71, where attendees can connect with our experts to explore cutting-edge cold chain solutions, temperature-controlled logistics, and end-to-end supply chain strategies tailored for the industry.

Continuing our tradition, the team will also take part in the LogiPharma 5K Run on Wednesday, April 8, at 7 AM.  

Join us at LogiPharma 2025 to discover how we are driving innovation in logistics and ensuring supply chain excellence for our partners around the world.

Our Sites use cookies for analytics purposes. For more information about the cookies we use on our Sites or how you can disable them, please see our Cookie Policy.