The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
April 23, 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…]
US Proceeds with China-linked Ship Fees
By Edwin Lopez
(SupplyChainDive) Many China-linked ships arriving at US ports could be subject to a new set of fees as early as mid-October, the Office of the US Trade Representative revealed Thursday.
The new policy specifically targets ships built in China, and those owned or operated by any entity with ties to the country. The fees, which vary from $18 per net ton to $120 per container, will first be charged Oct. 14, and rise every subsequent April. Some exceptions apply, such as ships transporting US government cargo. […READ MORE…]
US Readying Plan to Overhaul Air Traffic Control, Duffy Says
(SupplyChainBrain) The Trump administration plans to announce a “brand new” US air traffic control system “in the next couple days,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.
Changes will include shifting from a copper communications infrastructure to fiber lines, as well as new radar systems and terminals for air traffic controllers, Duffy said in an interview with Fox News.
“The key to this is speed,” he said. The problems with air traffic control are known, but it takes too long to make upgrades and then the technology changes, he said, adding that Congress “has to give us all the money up front.” […READ MORE…]
Joint Force Logisticians Discuss Processes, Future Sustainment in Contested Logistics Environment
By Alexandria Brimage-Gray DLA Public Affairs
The Defense Logistics Agency is collaborating with the Joint Force sustainment community to establish partnerships and plans to better understand requirements and posture supplies in the contested logistics environment. As part of that effort, the inaugural Set the Theater, Set the Globe Summit encapsulated the mission magnitude and strategic importance of collaboration, the Defense Logistics Agency director said at the LMI headquarters April 1.
“The world is increasingly interconnected and marked by rapid shifts in technology and the geopolitical landscape. The demand for speed, precision, adaptability, and resilience has never been higher,” said Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly. “This summit nests within DLA’s transformation strategy, which emphasizes adaptability, precision and partnerships to support the joint logistics enterprise.” […READ MORE…]
A New Era for Federal Contractors Navigating the Regulatory Landscape in 2025
The NDTA DC Chapter luncheon on April 16 featured a presentation from Alexander Gorelik, Associate Attorney at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, exploring key developments affecting government contractors and how to navigate recent updates. It was a timely discussion and a great opportunity to connect with local NDTA members. […READ MORE…]
Editor’s Picks
Look to Short-haul Freight as an Economic Bellwether
(FreightWaves) Demand for short-haul truckloads (under 100 miles, or COTVI) has grown over the past year, while long-haul volumes have declined significantly. This shift is largely due to long-haul trucking being supplanted by intermodal transport, as shippers use containers as rolling storage in response to rising inventory costs and full warehouses. Looking at COTVI can help us decode both the economy and the truckload market.
US Navy Seeks Large Storage Facility in the Philippines by 2026
(USNI.org) The Department of the Navy is looking to lease a climate-controlled facility between 19,000 and 33,000 square meters near Subic Bay and Clark for the storage of equipment in the Philippines by 2026 under a ten-year-long lease which could mark the largest prepositioning effort to date between Washington and Manila since 1992.
According to solicitation documents on the proposed lease, this new facility would be utilized for “storage and maintenance of vehicles and vehicle equipment.”
Transair to Resurrect Hawaii Cargo Business After Defeating FAA Shutdown
(FreightWaves) Hawaiian airline Transair is attempting a comeback four years after one of its cargo jets crashed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Honolulu and federal aviation authorities grounded the cargo carrier for alleged safety violations. Executives say the airline could resume interisland service by the end of this year, if preparations go according to plan.
US Navy Plans to Order US Army Landing Ship for the Marine Corps
(The Maritime Executive) The US Navy is preparing to resolve its long debate with the Marine Corps over the fate of the Landing Ship Medium (LSM), the amphibious force’s small transport for inter-island warfare in the Pacific. On April 7, Naval Sea Systems Command quietly issued notice that it plans to award Bollinger a sole-source contract to build one lead-ship LSM based on the US Army’s Gen. Frank S. Besson-class.
(Army Recognition) On April 19, 2025, the US Navy’s Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769) officially returned to operational status following the successful completion of its Engineered Overhaul (EOH) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY). This comprehensive and technically demanding process is critical to extending the life of the submarine and ensuring it remains fully mission-capable amid increasingly complex global security demands. The overhaul also reflects the broader strategic necessity of preserving the US Navy’s submarine fleet power as a core pillar of American maritime dominance.
FedEx Begins its First Direct Singapore-US Air Cargo Service
FedEx Corp. has introduced its first direct flight from Singapore to its regional hub in Anchorage, Alaska. The first direct connection for FedEx from Singapore to the United States is tailored to support shippers of heavier, palletized cargo rather than its express parcel network. The integrated logistics provider said Tuesday it will operate the route six times per week with a Boeing 777 freighter jet from Changi Airport to Anchorage, a major connection point for daily services to cities in the Lower 48.
Navajo Express Enters Partnership with ISAAC Instruments
Navajo Express, a leading provider of transportation and logistics services, has partnered with ISAAC Instruments to enhance operational efficiency, driver experience, and regulatory compliance across Navajo Express’s fleet. By integrating ISAAC’s Electronic Logging Device (ELD) solution, Navajo Express aims to further improve real-time communication, reduce drivers’ administrative burdens, and enhance data-driven decision-making.
Leidos Black Arrow Successfully Tested from AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship
Leidos disclosed that in November 2024, it successfully completed a guided flight test of its Small Cruise Missile (SCM), also known as Black Arrow, from an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship. The “Guided Flight Test 1” validated the “aircraft compatibility, system performance, waypoint uplinks, guidance accuracy, as well as integration with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Battle Management System (BMS),” said the company.
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