February 2026 Monthly Newsletter

Lunar New Year Begins, Marking a Critical Period for Global Supply Chains

Lunar New Year begins today, bringing a predictable slowdown across global supply chains as factories in Asia pause production and transportation capacity tightens. The impact is often felt weeks before and after the holiday, affecting lead times, inventory availability and freight costs for businesses that source or manufacturer internationally.

Justin McInturff, International Logistics Manager at Jarrett explains what businesses can expect during this period and how to adjust inventory, ordering and transportation strategies to maintain service levels and manage costs.

To learn more, click HERE.

Heightened Risk in the Strait of Hormuz and Surrounding Waterways

Commercial vessels transiting the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman face renewed security concerns following recent incidents involving Iranian forces boarding and detaining ships. The U.S. government has reiterated that the region remains a high-risk operating environment, with vessels subject to hailing, boarding attempts and potential seizure.

U.S.-flagged commercial vessels are being advised to coordinate closely with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command while the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Office maintains Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmission and conducts thorough pre-voyage risk assessments. Operators are also encouraged to be mindful and remain as far from Iranian territorial waters as safely possible and follow established high-risk water security protocols.

“As tensions escalate between the U.S. and Iran, commercial vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waterways are at risk of being detained or seized by Iranian forces,” said Mike Jarrett, President and CEO of Jarrett. “This volatility can quickly disrupt vessel schedules and tighten global shipping capacity. Shippers moving cargo through the Middle East should review contingency routing options, prepare for potential diversions, build flexibility into transportation plans and stay closely aligned with logistics partners to help mitigate delays while continuing to prioritize safety.”

Read the full advisory at Maritime Global Security.

Supply Shortages to Watch in 2026

2026 Supply Chain Shortages Procurement teams are expected to face continued supply constraints in 2026 across several critical categories, including copper, memory chips, medical supplies and beef. Rising demand, limited production capacity and shifting trade dynamics are tightening global supply and increasing costs.

Forecasts point to higher copper prices from growing AI and data center demand, while memory chip capacity is shifting to higher-margin applications, driving price increases and longer lead times. Healthcare costs for medical devices and pharmaceuticals are rising, and tight cattle supplies are expected to keep beef prices firm.

“Constrained supply across key commodities is creating pressure throughout the supply chain,” said Aaron Nussbaum, Vice President of Logistics Operations at Jarrett. “Organizations should be aligning procurement, transportation and inventory strategies now, while strengthening supplier relationships and building contingency plans to reduce risk.”

Read the full story in Supply Chain Dive.

New Bill Would Hold Brokers Accountable for Unsafe Truckers

The Patrick and Barbara Kowalski Freight Brokers Safety Act, a new U.S. House bill, would hold freight brokers financially responsible for hiring carriers with poor safety records, if passed. The bill will impose civil penalties equal to 10 percent of cargo value if brokers work with carriers or drivers with multiple U.S. Department of Transportation violations.

The legislation highlights growing liability risks in the industry, as courts and regulators increasingly examine broker responsibility for crashes involving hired carriers. The introduction of the bill follows the 2022 crash that killed Patrick and Barbara Kowalski and comes as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear a case on broker liability.

“Shippers and brokers need to be vigilant about carrier safety,” said Jessie Renner, Cargo Claims and Risk Manager at Jarrett. “By maintaining strong carrier standards, clear communication and a unified commitment to safe operations, the industry can better protect the public while reducing overall risk.”

Read the full story in Supply Chain 24/7.

1Logtech Launches Native OTM Integration Powering Jarrett LINC™

Jarrett_Linc_Logo_Color-1 1Logtech, an AI-powered platform enabling operations teams to manage logistics integrations without coding, announced a native Oracle Transportation Manager integration which is now powering Jarrett LINC™. The AI-enabled integration replaces custom-built connections, accelerating onboarding and enabling fully digital execution.

Shippers gain real-time visibility within OTM, automated invoicing and earlier detection of carrier no-shows, strengthening control tower performance and improving execution.

To learn more, click HERE.

On Deck

Kevin O’Leary to Headline Jarrett Supply Chain Summit in Cleveland

The 2026 Jarrett Supply Chain Summit will be held Aug. 5–6 in Cleveland, Ohio, bringing together supply chain and logistics leaders for strategies to stay ahead, technology innovation and real-world cargo theft prevention strategies.

This year’s event is highlighted by keynote speaker Kevin O’Leary, entrepreneur, investor and star of ABC’s "Shark Tank," who will share candid insights on leadership, risk and winning strategies in today’s supply chain landscape.

For more details, click HERE.

Jarrett Experts Take the Stage at the Annual Transportation & Logistics Council Conference

Matt Wagner, Maddie Fuller and Jessie Renner, CCP, will speak at the Transportation & Logistics Council 52nd Annual Conference March 15-18, 2026, at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin, Tenn.

Renner will join a freight claims panel focused on fundamentals and dispute resolution. Wagner will present on artificial intelligence in transportation, and Fuller will participate in a mock pharmaceutical cargo trial examining liability and risk management.