The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
May 15, 2024
A Special Week for the NDTA Community
It’s a special week for NDTA and the entire transportation and logistics community. This week is National Transportation Week, with this Friday being National Defense Transportation Day. These recognize the ongoing contributions of our Nation’s transportation system and honor the devoted professionals who work to sustain its tradition of excellence. Each year, the President signs a Proclamation to designate the day and week, to read this year’s Proclamation click here. In this newsletter, USTRANSCOM Commander Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost shares some thoughts for National Defense Transportation Day.
While National Transportation Week and National Defense Transportation Day would be special enough, many of our colleagues are currently gathered in Newport News, Virginia, to take part in the Surface Force Projection Conference (SFPC). Jointly presented by NDTA and Christopher Newport University’s Center for American Studies (CAS), the event brings together US government and industry logistics and transportation experts, and members of the Joint Logistics Enterprise (JLE), to examine a wide range of challenges associated with deploying forces and moving sustainment to the point of need.
National Defense Transportation Day: Reflecting on What is at Stake
By Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost
As we celebrate National Defense Transportation Day, we recognize the importance of our roads, railways, airports, seaports, and the incredible professionals that contribute to our national transportation network. Whether we are strengthening our economy or competing against potential peer adversaries, it is the same transportation system that secures our nation’s prosperity. […READ MORE…]
Your Source
SDDC Issues Customer & Carrier Advisory
Starting on 3 June 2024, the European Union will begin implementing a requirement for all member states to accept ICS2 filings from ocean carriers (Release 3). More information on ICS2 can be found here. Ocean carriers and shippers are advised that ICS2 filings are NOT to be completed for any shipment that is being cleared under a Form 302 per Article 104.1.(h) of EU Commission Delegated Regulation 2015/2446, which states that goods moved or used in the context of military activities under cover of a NATO Form 302 or an EU Form 302 are exempt from the requirement to lodge a summary declaration under ICS2. […READ MORE…]
DC Chapter to Explore Maritime Security & International Trade
The NDTA Washington DC Chapter invites you to attend its monthly luncheon on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 11:30 AM. The event will take place at the Crowley Offices in Alexandria, Virginia. Click here to register. During the event, Rear Admiral James Watson, USCG (Ret.), will discuss implications of maritime security and international trade. […READ MORE…]
DOT Announces Third Year of SMART Grants, Funding Transportation Technology and Innovation
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced it is accepting applications for the third year of its Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program. The SMART Grants Program was made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021. As part of the President’s Investing in America agenda, the program will fund up to $500 million in grants over five years to conduct demonstration projects focused on advanced smart community technologies and systems that improve transportation safety and efficiency. In the first two rounds of SMART Grants, USDOT selected 93 projects in 39 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, totaling $148 million. […READ MORE…]
Editor’s Picks
PODCAST: From Polar Presence to Port Security: A Conversation with the Coast Guard Commandant
(War on the Rocks) United States Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan to discuss the Coast Guard’s global activities, from the Arctic to the Indo-Pacific to the growing digital security challenges to America’s ports.
An Army Drone Branch? Idea Advances in House Subcommittee
(Defense One) The Army would gain a drone branch under proposed language in the 2025 defense authorization bill, a move intended to further professionalize the field and put it on par with the service’s other disciplines.
NIST Aims to Cut ‘Tech Speak’ From Cyber Workforce Framework
(Federal News Network) After recent changes to the framework that defines cyber roles across government, leaders at the National Institute of Standards and Technology are already looking ahead to keep the needle moving on strengthening the federal cyber workforce.
Class I’s Continue to Team Up, Partner with Others to Exploit Intermodal Opportunities
(Progressive Railroading) Cargo-handling was up at the Port of Los Angeles in Q1, a trend the port director expects to continue. That’s highly encouraging to North America’s largest railroads, which count on a high flow of exported and imported freight to help propel their intermodal traffic. The Class Is already have been reaping big volume and revenue gains with international intermodal traffic thanks to a number of favorable factors and macro trends.
(South China Morning Post) Joint Philippines-US naval drills have become an annual event. But as an expert in international relations, I believe this year’s drills mark an inflection point in the regional politics of the South China Sea. The latest joint maneuvers come amid two developments that could go some way toward influencing the future trajectory of tensions in the South China Sea.
Building the Next Generation of Professional Truck Drivers
(Supply & Demand Chain Executive) The need for professional truck drivers continues to grow despite the shortage of workers. Despite offering more competitive salaries and flexible scheduling, trucking companies continue to encounter growing challenges in recruiting the next generation of truckers. However, as Gen Z faces rising college and living expenses, it is becoming more imperative to create alternate pathways that provide career opportunities for the emerging workforce.
Port of Virginia Details Major Expansion Projects, Including Becoming Deepest Port on East Coast
(The Virginian-Pilot) The Port of Virginia plans to complete a number of massive infrastructure projects by mid-2027, including becoming the East Coast’s deepest port by August 2025, said Stephen Edwards, the Virginia Port Authority’s CEO and executive director. The $1.4 billion in infrastructure projects come as port officials look to do more business with regions such as the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
Maersk Launches Miami Airfreight Gateway
(Air Cargo News) Maersk has launched a new 90,000 sq ft airfreight gateway in Miami to serve the US, Asia and Latin America markets. The full-service, in-transit gateway will focus on transhipping European and Asian cargo via Miami to Latin America with connectivity on freighter and passenger capacity.
Deloitte Details Roadmap to Achieving Net-Zero Emissions by 2050
(Deloitte) Deloitte’s new report, “Energy Transition: The Road to Scale,” explores a potential roadmap for the future, outlining strategic initiatives and cross-sector collaborations to help make net-zero emissions by 2050 a reality.
EY Assurance Releases New Technology Capabilities, Strengthening Confidence and Trust
(EY) The EY organization has announced new technology capabilities and a global Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assurance framework for EY professionals as part of a multi-year, technology driven audit transformation program which is supported by plans to align approximately 9,000 Technology Risk professionals to the Assurance service line.
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