The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
May 14, 2025
NDTA – CAS
Surface Force Projection Conference
Register Today!
Education, Deployment, and Sustainment Readiness are the key reasons for our meeting at the SFPC! Don’t miss this great opportunity to join the Surface Force Projection Conference (SFPC), June 10-12, 2025! […READ MORE…]
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for the NDTA Europe & Africa Workshop
Register by May 16 for the 2025 NDTA Europe & Africa Workshop in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, July 8! Hear from key leaders, including:
- BG Manu Davis, USAR, Commanding General, Deployment Support Command
- CMSgt Martinez, USAF, Traffic Manager, US Air Force Europe / Africa Command
- COL Gary Whittacre, USA, Commander, 598thTransportation Brigade
- VADM Andy Brown, USN (Ret.), President & CEO, NDTA
- …and more!
Topics will include US Air Force logistics operations, US seaport operations, US Army Reserve deployment and transportation, and more.
NDTA Joins Military Depot Caucus Discussion
On Friday, May 9, NDTA’s President and CEO, VADM Andy Brown, USN (Ret.), participated in a lunchtime panel discussion and professional development session with the House Military Depot, Arsenal, Ammunition Plant and Industrial Facilities Caucus at the Rayburn House Office in Washington, DC. Other panel members included Col Nathan H. Kitzke, USAF, Director of Congressional and Interagency Affairs at US Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), and Mr. Fair Kim, President of American Maritime Congress.
The discussion focused on NDTA’s role in bringing government and industry together to provide logistics and transportation; USTRANSCOM’s role in providing global mobility to and from the depots; and, of course, the important roles depots play in supporting our military forces.
Celebrate National Transportation Day – Friday, May 16
National Defense Transportation Week is May 11-17, with National Transportation Day falling on Friday, May 16. The week-long observance recognizes the vital role of the nation’s transportation systems and acknowledges the contributions of the people who work in the industry.
On May 16, 1957, Congress designated the third Friday in May as National Defense Transportation Day and, in 1962, extended it to a full week to increase awareness of the diverse modes of transportation that connect communities, support the economy, and enable efficient and safe travel.
Vietnam’s Shipments from China to US Reach Record High Amid Trade Fraud Crackdown
By Francesco Guarascio and Khanh Vu
HANOI, May 7 (Reuters) – Vietnam’s imports from China and exports to the United States both reached a post-pandemic record in April, amid talks with Washington to reduce Hanoi’s trade surplus and a crackdown on Chinese goods shipped to the US via its territory. The Southeast Asian nation faces the risk of 46% duties on its exports to the US if the White House confirms this rate at the end of a global tariff pause in July. […READ MORE…]
Less China Means More Business for Port of Virginia
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — “China” is now a dirty word among fiercely competitive U.S. ports looking to woo global container shippers. The Port of Virginia conveyed a carefully crafted message that it’s an ascending powerhouse for container trade without being as reliant on China and that country’s newly deleterious effects as its West Coast maritime brethren.
East Coast ports generally handle a smaller share of China trade than West Coast ports; imports and exports from China and Hong Kong accounted for just 19% of total loaded twenty-foot equivalent units in 2024, Chief Executive and Executive Director Stephen Edwards told the annual state of the port event here on Thursday. Virginia’s leading trading partner was the European Union, at 26%, followed by India, 10%, and Vietnam, 8%. All other nations together were 37% of loaded TEUs.
“Of course, the other way to look at this is that as of today, 81% of our business is at a 10% tariff, and 19% is at the higher China tariff,” Edwards said. […READ MORE…]
AAR CORP. and the US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Aviation’s Supply Center in Richmond, Va., signed a Supply Chain Alliance charter, formalizing a commitment to strengthening joint support of the nation’s warfighter. AAR is DLA Richmond’s first Supply Chain Alliance partner. The charter is intended to maximize efficiencies during the DLA procurement process by providing AAR with a centralized resource for contract quote, award, and execution. […READ MORE…]
Report to Congress on the Marine Amphibious Combat Vehicle
(USNI.org) The following is the May 2, 2025, Congressional Research Service In Focus report, The Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle. In the report, The Marine Corps describes the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) as The Corps’ next-generation vehicle designed to move Marines from ship to shore. […READ MORE…]
Editor’s Picks
US DoD Increases SM-3 Naval Missiles Investment to Strengthen US and Allied Maritime Defense
On May 13, 2025, the US Department of Defense significantly increased its investment in missile defense capabilities with a $2.134 billion modification to an existing contract awarded to the American defense company Raytheon. This latest modification raises the total contract value from $1.198 billion to a substantial $3.332 billion, emphasizing the Pentagon’s strategic commitment to sustaining and enhancing the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) program, a highly advanced naval-based interceptor missile system, designed for ballistic missile defense. The program supports both U.S. forces and allied nations through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) initiative.
Cargo Thieves Are Attacking the US Supply Chain at Alarming Rates
(CNBC.com) Organized criminal groups are hitting trucks on the road, breaking into warehouses, and pilfering expensive items from train cars, according to industry experts and law enforcement officials CNBC interviewed during a six-month investigation.
It’s all part of a record surge in cargo theft in which criminal networks in the US and abroad exploit technology intended to improve supply chain efficiency and use it to steal truckloads of valuable products. Armed with doctored invoices, the fraudsters impersonate the staff of legitimate companies to divert cargo into the hands of criminals.
US Container Imports Set for Historic Decline as New Trump Tariffs Impact Supply Chain
(gCaptain.com) Import cargo volumes at major US container ports are poised to see their first year-over-year decline in more than 18 months, according to the latest Global Port Tracker report from the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
The decline comes as President Trump’s recent series of tariffs begin to show tangible effects on the supply chain. The measures include a minimum 10% tariff on all US trading partners, reciprocal tariffs on multiple nations announced in April, and a substantial 145% tariff on China.
Tariffs Amplify US Warehousing Demand, Disrupt Inland Truck Routes
(Journal of Commerce) Rising demand for bonded warehousing amid high US tariffs is disrupting the flow of freight by truck to inland US markets, drayage providers say.
That and high volumes of freight frontloaded to avoid paying those tariffs are throwing some supply chains and inland distribution networks off-kilter as uncertainty deepens around US trade disputes and the potential for trade deals to lower tariffs.
Seaglider Aims to Deliver Small Groups of Marines Low Over the Waves
(The War Zone) Eyeing a future fight in the Pacific, the USMC is seeking craft that can swiftly and efficiently move small loads of troops and materiel to austere locales. As the Marines prepare for future fights in the Pacific, they are investigating the use of the Viceroy Seaglider to quickly and quietly deliver troops and cargo and provide other critical functions. Under development by the Rhode Island-based REGENT company, the craft will be powered by 12 electric motors and runs on batteries. It is designed to carry 12 passengers or 3,500 pounds of cargo, while swiftly skimming the surface of the ocean, allowing it to avoid enemy sensors.
Reconciliation Bill Calls for 16 New Battle Force Ships, $4.9B in Unmanned Vessels
(USNI.org) The House and Senate Armed Services Committees want to pour billions into shipbuilding — including $1.8 billion for eight landing ships medium and $4.9 billion for unmanned vessels — as part of the Republican-led reconciliation bill’s $150 billion defense package, released Sunday. The wide-ranging $33.8 billion shipbuilding portion of the defense measure includes $20.3 billion for 16 battle force ships.
Cyberthreats Surge Against US Logistics Infrastructure
(Freight Waves) Cybersecurity provider Trellix recently released its April “CyberThreat Report” revealing an alarming rise in cyberattacks targeting critical US infrastructure, with the freight and logistics sectors now in the crosshairs of nation-state actors and sophisticated ransomware groups. Between October 2024 and March 2025, the US saw a 136% increase in Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) activity, prolonged and targeted cyberattacks in which an intruder gains unauthorized access to a network and remains undetected for an extended period.
US Has Already Issued Travel Warnings for Six Countries in May
On May 7 and May 8, six new countries made the list of travel advisories from the US, with Russia holding the highest possible Level 4 “Do No Travel” warning.
This level is based on:
- Danger associated with the continuing war between Russia and Ukraine.
- The risk of harassment or wrongful detention by Russian security officials.
- The arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
- The possibility of terrorism.
On May 7, the US announced Level 2 “Exercise Increased Caution” warnings for Cuba and Uruguay, and a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” warning for Trinidad and Tobago due to “serious risks from crime” and “heightened risks of terrorism and kidnapping.”
American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier (ARC) marked another milestone as M/V Endurance arrived at the port of Kavala, Greece, delivering US Army vehicles in support of DEFENDER 25.
DEFENDER 25 is the US Army’s largest annual security cooperation and exercise in Europe, aimed at enhancing NATO deterrence and readiness. This year, 12,000 US service members, alongside 13,000 troops from 29 NATO and partner nations, are participating, with Greece playing a key role.
Freeman Holdings Group Expands FBO Portfolio in Texas
Freeman Holdings Group proudly revealed the addition of two Texas fixed-base operators (FBOs), Million Air Lubbock (KLBB) and Freeman Jet Center Abilene (KABI), previously known as Lubbock Aero and Abilene Aero, respectively. These two locations are Freeman Holdings Group’s first locations in Texas.
With this acquisition, Freeman Holdings Group’s FBO count climbs to 24 locations, solidifying its position as a key player in the industry.
Southwest Airlines Makes an Exciting Announcement
On May 7, Southwest Airlines announced that it was recognized by J.D. Power as the Best Airline for Economy Class Customer Satisfaction for the fourth consecutive year.
Southwest also was crowned the Most Satisfying Economy Air Travel Experience in the J.D. Power 2025 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, and No. 1 in Airline Staff and Level of Trust. The J.D. Power study surveyed 10,224 passengers who had flights on a major airlines in North America between March 2024 and March 2025.
The Source is a free educational publication for NDTA members, conference attendees, and associates.