The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
November 6, 2024
GovTravels 2025 – Register Now!
Mark your calendar and register today for the GovTravels Symposium, happening February 24-27, 2025, at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, VA. The National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) and the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), in association with the General Services Administration (GSA), are looking forward to welcoming you to this key event where decision makers from government and industry convene to collaborate on and learn about passenger travel concerns. […READ MORE…]
NDTA & Marine Toys for Tots Foundation Toy Drive & Event
NDTA and Toys for Tots are recruiting your support to help Santa’s Elves!
How does Santa get around to all the children in just one night?
He has LOTS of help: Elves, Marines, & YOU!
Join NDTA in our effort to support the Annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program. Please send or bring any new, unwrapped toys to our office between Friday, November 8 and Friday, December 6, 2024. […READ MORE…]
Your Source
Automation, Speed Limiters on Former FMCSA Deputy’s Radar for 2025
Three federal rulemakings that have cost implications for truckers and motor carriers are on the short-term horizon for a former top official at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Earl Adams led a team at the agency that is developing the first major set of rules for high-level automation in heavy-duty trucking. A proposed rule for autonomous driving systems (ATS) is under development for the Department of Transportation’s calendar for rollout in December. This ruling, combined with a final rule on automatic emergency braking (AEB) and a proposed rule to set a federal top speed for trucks, rank as the most anticipated regulations on Adams’ radar. […READ MORE…]
By Mike Schuler
The US Environmental Protection Agency will fund nearly $3 billion for 55 zero-emission projects at EPA ports across the country. These projects, supported by the Clean Ports Program, aim to tackle climate change, reduce air pollution, promote high-quality union jobs, and advance environmental justice in communities near port facilities. President Biden announced the funding during an event at the Dundalk Marine Terminal at the Port of Baltimore in Maryland. […READ MORE…]
Pentagon Unveils New Plan to Energize America’s Defense Sector
The Pentagon published a second and more detailed plan to invigorate the American defense industry this year, including the weapons it sees as most crucial to deter China.
The implementation plan builds on a strategy published in January 2024, which described how the US defense sector has withered and how the Pentagon wants to revitalize it. […READ MORE…]
Please join NDTA with a big shout out to welcome our newest Sustaining Member:
Editor’s Picks
Air Force Hedges on Next-Gen Tanker Plans
(Defense One) Tomorrow’s tankers might just be today’s tankers with self-protection gear, Air Force officials say—because the service can’t afford to pursue all its next-generation plans. The Air Force has been devising plans to develop a future tanker called the Next Generation Air Refueling System, or NGAS, to use in contested operations in the Indo-Pacific, as China develops new counter-air systems that can threaten tankers at longer ranges. But building a new tanker from scratch doesn’t look possible any time soon, so the service might simply enhance its current fleet of tankers.
Coast Guard Cutter Vigorous Returns Home Following 51-day Deployment in the Eastern Pacific Ocean
(USCG.com) The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Vigorous (WMEC 627) moored at Naval Station Norfolk, following a 51-day deployment in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Deployed in support of Joint Interagency Task Force–South and patrolling within the Coast Guard Eleventh District area of responsibility, Vigorous’s crew conducted counter-drug missions to prevent the flow of narcotics and other illicit smuggling into the United States by transnational criminal organizations.
US Navy to Extend Service Lives of 12 Destroyers
(Breaking Defense) The Navy announced it will extend the service lives of 12 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, resulting in an anticipated 48 years of combined additional operational service from those vessels between 2028 to 2035, according to a statement from Secretary Carlos Del Toro. These ships are the oldest destroyers in the fleet ranging from the Barry (DDG-52), which will be extended for three years, to The Sullivans (DDG-68), also slated for a three-year extension.
CSX Launches Double-stack Service at Port of Baltimore
(FreightWaves) CSX launched double-stack service to and from the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore thanks to clearance projects that have been completed north of the Howard Street Tunnel. “This is a great day for the Port of Baltimore and a great day for Maryland,” Gov. Wes Moore said. “As the Port of Baltimore continues to grow, this transformational project will help increase business activity and create thousands of new jobs.”
Cold Storage Boom: North American Ports Embrace Reefer Revolution
(gCaptain.com) The refrigerated cargo/reefer business has emerged as an unexpected port and terminal industry “super star,” speakers said at the annual meeting of the American Association of Port Authorities in Boston. Given consistent, sustained growth of this cargo and aging port-related infrastructure, a few North American ports have major cold storage building projects underway.
California, Major Airlines to Work to Boost Sustainable Aviation Fuel Use
(Reuters.com) The State of California and a group representing major US passenger and cargo airlines reached an agreement to sharply boost the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Airlines for America, an industry trade organization representing American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, FedEx and others, committed to increasing the availability of SAF for flights within California to 200 million gallons by 2035. That would meet about 40% of intrastate travel demand and is more than 10 times current levels.
US Ports by Volume: How Maritime Cargo Trends Are Stacking Up
(SupplyChain Dive) For supply chain managers seeking to understand demand trends, port volumes are a helpful indicator. Maritime gateways handled 40% of international freight value in 2022, according to the Department of Transportation. As a result, keeping track of seaport volumes can be a good barometer for establishing years- and months-long trade trends nationwide.
Aimbridge Hospitality Named Among US News & World Report’s 2024-2025 Best Companies to Work For
Aimbridge Hospitality, a leading global hotel management company and the world’s largest third-party hotel operator, is one of the 2024-2025 Best Companies to Work For: Private Companies from U.S. News & World Report. This prestigious honor places Aimbridge among the top 25 percent of private companies evaluated across key metrics, affirming the company’s commitment to developing the industry’s top talent and sustaining a culture of growth and belonging.
Vendor Troubles Slow Delivery of Amazon Freighter Aircraft
Amazon has four fewer Airbus package freighters for peak season than planned because the company responsible for converting the planes from passenger to cargo configuration is behind schedule and temporarily shifting production out of the United States until it can build a qualified workforce and supplier base. That has prompted charges of mismanagement from the lessor providing the aircraft.
Maersk Rides Wave of Strong Demand and Red Sea Disruptions
Maersk has reported strong third-quarter performance, driven by strong container market demand and ongoing instability in the Red Sea. The company confirmed its preliminary Q3 results released last week, reporting revenue of $15.8 billion, an underlying EBITDA of $4.8 billion, and an underlying EBIT of $3.3 billion—all significantly higher than last year’s figures. “This quarter, we once again supported our customers through times of high volatility and low visibility,” said Vincent Clerc, CEO of Maersk. “
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