The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
October 9, 2025
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February 23 – 26, 2026
The National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA), in association with the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) and the General Services Administration (GSA), is hosting the 2026 GovTravels February 23-26, 2026, at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, VA.
GovTravels is a four-day event that brings together bringing together experts from across the federal government and the commercial travel industry to examine a wide range of issues that impact the government’s multi-billion dollar travel enterprise. During this event we educate and train DoD travel managers on best practices and strategies, allow government program administrators to learn more about emerging technologies, exchange ideas and collaborate on travel issues, identify & capture actions and build relationships among government and industry commercial travel experts[…READ MORE…]
Virtual Webinar: “Technology’s Role in Modern Irregular Warfare: Access, AI, and Adversaries”
Although the NDTA-USTRANSCOM Fall Meeting was cancelled due to the U.S. Federal Government Shutdown, a Transportation Academy panel conducted a virtual webinar this week called “Technology’s Role in Modern Irregular Warfare: Access, AI, and Adversaries.” This high-value session was conducted by the leaders listed below.
Moderator & Panelists:
• MG (Ret) Ed Dorman III — Moderator, Irregular Warfare Center
• Aaron Stanek — IBM
• Dave Bradley — r4 Technologies
• Jim Utley — Bennett Motor Express
Click here for a recap of the webinar and learn about how state and non-state actors increasingly leverage commercial tech (drones, AI, cyber) to observe, disrupt, and degrade logistics and mobility. This webinar explores the dual nature of technology — how we can use it for predictive sustainment and red-teaming while adversaries use the same tools for kill-chain mapping, deception, and supply-chain attacks. Expect practical takeaways for industry, government, and allied partners.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has deployed the first phase of a brand-new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) service months ahead of schedule. The NOTAM service, which provides critical safety alerts about changes in the airspace, was originally built in 1985. It has experienced multiple outages in recent years, including a 2023 nationwide failure under the last administration. This important deployment milestone was achieved on-time and on-budget after Secretary Duffy accelerated the modernization effort. […READ MORE…]
China Expands Global Trade Network with Launch of First ‘Arctic Express’ Container Service
(gCaptain.com) A decade after shipping giant COSCO sent its first merchant ship across Russia’s Northern Sea Route, another Chinese operator, Sea Legend, is launching the first “Arctic Express” – an 18-day routing from Ningbo, China to Felixstowe, UK.
The company’s Panamax box carrier Istanbul Bridge departed from Eastern China on September 22 loaded with 4,900 standard containers (TEU) following a launch ceremony at the port. It is expected to arrive in Europe by October 10. […READ MORE…]
Freight Expected to Roll on During Shutdown
(Freight Waves) Freight supply chains, in the short term, should be largely unaffected by the federal government shutdown. In most cases, federal agencies that run the programs and services affecting goods movement are either funded by mechanisms like the Highway Trust Fund – which are separate from the annual appropriations process – or their employees are deemed essential and will continue to work during a funding lapse.
This year, it’s unclear how government employees will be affected, including those working at agencies within the U.S. Department of Transportation. […READ MORE…]
New Report Warns U.S. Shipbuilding Collapse Threatens National Security
By Mike Schuler
(gCaptain.com) The Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) has released a new economic report detailing how America’s capacity has dramatically declined as China’s state-funded maritime industry has overtaken global shipbuilding.
The report, “How to Solve America’s Shipbuilding Crisis,” reveals that decades of free-market policies have transformed the United States from the world’s leading shipbuilder in 1975 to its 19th largest today. […READ MORE…]
Maersk Lays Down the Law to Shipowners After Huge Retrofit plan for Chartered Ship
By Gary Dixon
(TradeWinds) Danish liner giant AP Moller-Maersk has warned that third-party chartered-in vessels whose owners refuse green retrofits risk not having their contracts extended. The Copenhagen shipowner revealed that it has been collaborating with 50 other owners to carry out work on about 200 boxships to improve their fuel efficiency and cut emissions. […READ MORE…]
Editor’s Picks
(Marines.mil) From Sept. 12 to Sept. 16, 2025, III MEF Marines and Sailors traded air conditioning and office chairs for the realities of expeditionary command and control. This command post exercise, as part of Resolute Dragon 25, proved that Marines can pack up, move, and reestablish command and control nodes in any terrain, all while maintaining communication links and operational awareness.
Army Says It’s Mitigated ‘Critical’ Cybersecurity Deficiencies in Early NGC2 Prototype
(Breaking Defense) The U.S. Army says it has mitigated several cybersecurity risks discovered in an early iteration of its nascent Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) platform, as detailed in a memo penned and signed by Army Chief Information Office Chief Technology Officer Gabriele Chiulli. The memo said the NGC2 platform “in its current state, exhibits critical deficiencies in fundamental security controls, processes, and governance.”
Super Quiet Special Operations Drones Being Modified to Launch Smaller Drones
(TWZ.com) U.S. operations Long Endurance Aircraft (LEA) surveillance drones, which are based on a popular civilian powered glider design, are set to gain the ability to launch smaller uncrewed aerial systems. An air-launched drone capability is a huge force multiplier for the ultra-quiet LEAs, with their innocuous outward appearance, that opens up the possibility of employing them in new ways, including kinetic strikes.
Uncrewed Military Vehicle to Be Built for US Army’s High-risk Missions
A new type of autonomous military vehicle is all set to be developed. BAE Systems and Forterra have joined hands to rapidly prototype an autonomous Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV).
The partnership is aimed at developing a highly survivable, self-driving AMPV prototype at speeds that rapidly outpace traditional development cycles. The plan is to showcase the capability option and its technologies in 2026.
Coast Guard Advances $110 Million Waterways Commerce Cutter Program
(gCaptain.com) The U.S. Coast Guard is moving forward with its critical Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) acquisition program, ordering production of the first river buoy tender (WLR) and long lead time material for the second inland construction tender (WLIC). Construction will take place at Birdon America’s shipyard in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, with a combined order value of approximately $110 million.
Let’s give a warm welcome and a big round of applause to the newest member of the NDTA Chairman’s Circle:
CSX Opens Key Baltimore Intermodal Tunnel
(Freight Waves) CSX has re-opened the expanded Howard Street Tunnel in Baltimore following a double-stack clearance project that began on Feb. 1.
“The completion of the Howard Street Tunnel reflects the dedication of our people — a once-in-a-generation achievement that will drive commerce, jobs, and growth across Maryland and the East Coast for decades,” CSX Chief Executive Joe Hinrichs said.
Port of San Diego and Holland America Line Celebrate the Start of San Diego’s Cruise Season
(Port of San Diego) The Port of San Diego is kicking off its 2025-2026 cruise season with longtime homeport partner Holland America Line. This season offers 107 different voyages and is expected to welcome 389,000 passengers to the region.
“We’re excited to set sail on another cruise season alongside long-time partners, Holland America Line,” said Chair Danielle Moore, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners.
Women In Trucking Association Announces Continued Partnership with FedEx Freight
(Women in Trucking) The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) announced that FedEx Freight has renewed its Gold Partnership, supporting the nonprofit association in highlighting the wide range of career paths available to women in transportation and logistics, recognizing their achievements, and addressing the obstacles they encounter.
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