The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
April 16, 2025
Surface Force Projection Conference
The National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) and Christopher Newport University’s Center for American Studies (CAS) jointly present the NDTA-CAS Surface Force Projection Conference (SFPC): “Challenging the Joint Force Deployment Status Quo – Improving the Large-Scale Deployment Model,” June 10-12, 2025.
The SFPC brings together government and industry logistics and transportation experts, members of the Joint Logistic Enterprise, to examine a wide range of challenges associated with deploying forces and moving sustainment to the point of need. During this time, we will build relationships and trust, examine deployment challenges, look for solutions, educate and collaborate and find ways to improve readiness and transportation capability. […READ MORE…]
By Mike Schuler
The US Maritime Transportation System (MTS), handling over $5.4 trillion in annual goods and services, faces significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities amid increasing threats from foreign actors and criminal organizations.
A new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report reveals substantial gaps in the Coast Guard’s ability to protect critical maritime infrastructure from cyber threats. The report highlights that while the Coast Guard provides oversight through facility and vessel inspections, it struggles to access complete information on cybersecurity-related inspection results. […READ MORE…]
Panama Authorizes US Armed Forces to Operate from Three Key Air and Naval Facilities
On April 9, 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Public Security of the Republic of Panama and the US Department of Defense (DoD). The document establishes a framework for cooperative security activities in Panama and formalizes mutual understandings related to the presence and operations of US personnel and contractors in specific Panamanian installations. […READ MORE…]
Report: US Imports to Drop Dramatically
With a chaotic series of on-again-off-again tariffs imposed by the US on its trading partners, import cargo at the nation’s major container ports is expected to drop dramatically beginning in May, according to the Global Port Tracker report released April 9 by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
“While we appreciate the 90-day pause [on reciprocal tariffs for most nations except China], there remains great concern about the uncertainty of the tariffs. The global tariff remains in place and is a significant tax increase on imports,” said NRF Executive Vice President of Government Relations David French in a statement April 10. […READ MORE…]
WASHINGTON, DC – Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy applauded President Trump’s Executive Order to restore America’s Maritime dominance. As part of the Executive Order, the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) will coordinate with various stakeholders to create a Maritime Action Plan (MAP). The MAP will include key initiatives like revitalizing the US Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), incentivizing domestic shipbuilding, enhancing infrastructure and capacity, growing demand for US shipping, investing in maritime technology, enhancing workforce development, and strengthening maritime security. […READ MORE…]
Editor’s Picks
Navy MH-60 Seahawk Replacement Will Leverage Army’s Future Vertical Lift Tiltrotor Plans
(TWZ.com) Ongoing work on the US Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) tiltrotor is helping the US Navy refine its next-generation Future Vertical Lift-Maritime Strike (FVL-MS) plans. FVL-MS is set to be a family of systems with crewed and uncrewed components to succeed the Navy’s existing MH-60R and MH-60S Seahawks, as well as its MQ-8C Fire Scout drone helicopters.
(Sustainability Times) The US Navy is on the brink of a significant advancement in military aviation as it is preparing to award a contract for the development of its next-generation fighter jet, the F/A-XX. Set to be developed by either Northrop Grumman or Boeing, this sixth-generation marvel promises to revolutionize aerial combat. With a projected range 25% greater than the current F-35C Lightning II, the F/A-XX is poised to enhance operational flexibility and reach.
Port of LA Prepares for Downturn in Trade Activity
(Transport Topics) Imports at the busiest US port should start declining as soon as May and are set to fall sharply in the second half of the year as punitive tariffs start to weigh on demand for foreign goods.
“We could see a drop off in volume starting as early as the month of May,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said April 11. He added that “at the very least,” the gateway will see a 10% drop in imports in the second half of the year.
Trump Signs Shipbuilding Order as Navy Leaders Call for 381-ship Fleet
(Military Times) In an April 8 hearing of Navy leadership before the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower, service officials voiced concerns regarding stagnant shipbuilding and what that could mean for success in great power conflicts.
Navy officials in March 2024 stated the service’s goal of growing its fleet of battle force ships to 381 over the next 30 years, a plan that would require investing at least $40 billion each year over the duration of the effort, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
MQ-25 Stingray’s Extreme Range Gives It Massive Potential Far Beyond a Tanker
(The War Zone) Boeing’s MQ-25 Stingray is behind schedule and over budget, but it is still set to up the carrier air wing’s (CVW) aerial refueling game dramatically. According to the Navy, the service is basically getting a flying unmanned gas can that is optimized for cruising efficiently at subsonic jet speeds and loitering for extended periods. While there have been fragmented hints that it could execute other roles in the future, and it is already built with a secondary reconnaissance function via its under-nose sensor ball, its potential far beyond a tanker seems significantly underplayed.
BNSF Railway Announces 2024 Economic Development Results
BNSF Railway customers invested more than $4.2 billion in 2024, the freight rail provider reported this week. Significant investments were made from supply chain partners and customers, including CJ Logistics America, Hudson Asphalt Terminal (HAT), and Bakersfield Renewable Fuels (BKRF). As a result of these and other customer investments, BNSF projects supported the creation of more than 1,000 new jobs in local communities.
BTX Global Logistics Celebrates Opening of New Logistics Branch in El Paso
BTX Global Logistics celebrated the grand opening of its new logistics branch in El Paso, Texas, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 26, 2025. Members of the BTX team, the Chamber of Commerce and the business community gathered for the event. BTX Global Logistics is a worldwide provider of shipping and logistics services known for its customer-centric approach to service and advanced technology.
Enterprise Mobility Wins Third Consecutive Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award
Enterprise Mobility has earned the 2025 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award (GEWA) for employee engagement, an award that recognizes the most engaged workplace cultures in the world. This is the third consecutive year Enterprise Mobility has been named a GEWA winner. Despite challenges in a rapidly evolving workplace, Gallup found that Enterprise Mobility continues to engage and develop its people in innovative ways, setting new benchmarks for workplace excellence.
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