The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association

September 18, 2026

Invest in Your Professional Growth at the
Fall Meeting
October 26 – 29, 2026
Register Today

Join leaders from government, military, and industry at the 14th Annual NDTA-USTRANSCOM Fall Meeting, October 26-29 in Grapevine, Texas, at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Conference Center. Engage with these leaders and all Fall Meeting attendees around the 2026 theme “Delivering Hope, Projecting Lethality – Theater to Globe”, and be part of reinforcing the critical role transportation and logistics plays in supporting both mission readiness and humanitarian response efforts around the world. 

The NDTA-USTRANSCOM Fall Meeting will feature keynote, fireside chat, and roundtable sessions,Transportation Academy, networking opportunities, meetings, and a dynamic exhibit hall.  Visit the NDTA website for the evolving agenda and register today. […READ MORE…]

Boeing Receives $552 Million MQ-25A Production Modification

The Navy awarded Boeing a not-to-exceed $552.1 million contract modification for three MQ-25A Stingray aircraft in the program’s first low-rate production lot. The action also covers long-lead components for three aircraft in the second production lot. Work is scheduled for completion in July 2031. The Navy will obligate $164.4 million at award — $100 million in fiscal 2025 aircraft procurement funds and $64.4 million in fiscal 2026 funds. The carrier-based MQ-25A is designed to provide unmanned aerial refueling, extending the operational reach of Navy aircraft. (U.S. Department of War, Sept. 14, 2026)

Rival Railroads Seek Broad Access Conditions in Proposed UP-NS Merger

BNSF Railway, Canadian Pacific Kansas City and CSX asked the Surface Transportation Board to reject the proposed $85 billion Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger or impose extensive conditions. The railroads outlined proposed trackage rights affecting Chicago, eastern Pennsylvania, the Gulf Coast, Kansas City, St. Louis, Texas and the Port of Virginia. BNSF alone anticipates requesting rights over 824 miles of Norfolk Southern track. The requested remedies could materially change intermodal access, port connectivity, rates and competition across the national freight network. Responsive applications are due Nov. 18. (FreightWaves, Sept. 14, 2026)

Hapag-Lloyd Secures Long-Term African Terminal Capacity

Hapag-Lloyd and DP World expanded their African partnership to secure long-term container-terminal capacity in Dakar, Senegal; Luanda, Angola; and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The companies will also support new or expanded port infrastructure in Banana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Maputo, Mozambique. Hapag-Lloyd expects its African transport volume to exceed one million TEUs during 2026. The agreement is intended to provide sufficient capacity and infrastructure for continued network growth while improving the reliability and scalability of the carrier’s services across the continent. (Hapag-Lloyd, Sept. 14, 2026)

Maersk Reroutes Four Gemini Services Through Suez Canal

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd will reroute four additional Gemini Cooperation container services through the Suez Canal instead of sailing around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. The AE5 connects Asia and Northern Europe; AE11 and AE12 connect Asia and the Mediterranean; and ME2 connects India and Europe. Initial changes begin Sept.19, with implementation varying by service and direction. The companies said the shorter route will improve transit times but emphasized that continued use of the Red Sea and Suez corridor depends on regional security and the absence of further conflict escalation. (Maersk Line, Limited, Sept. 14, 2026)

DLA Prepares for a New AI Workforce

The Defense Logistics Agency is piloting autonomous AI agents — or “digital employees” — to strengthen logistics operations and increase workforce productivity. Nearly 200 automated bots already perform routine tasks, building on technology that saved DLA an estimated 300,000 work hours in 2025. The agency is now developing more advanced agents that can operate around the clock, while establishing safeguards for data access, cybersecurity, performance, and human oversight. (Defense One, Sept. 11, 2026)

NDTA Europe & Africa Regional Committee Networking Dinner 8 July 2026 – Luxembourg

The NDTA Benelux Chapter hosted the NDTA Europe & Africa Regional Networking Dinner at the Italian restaurant,  Come à la Mason in Luxembourg, 8 July 2026.
Held as an exclusive networking “Icebreaker” ahead of the NSPA Transportation Industry Day on 9 July, the event provided an excellent opportunity for industry and government representatives to connect in an informal setting. With more than 120 attendees from the commercial transportation industry, NATO member governments, and military organizations, the evening was a tremendous success.

The NDTA Europe & Africa Regional Committee would like to express sincere appreciate to who attended, sponsored and contributed to the event’s success. We look forward to seeing you in January 2027 at the next NDTA Europe & Africa Regional Committee Workshop, keep tuned for more details.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We sincerely appreciate the support of our sponsors, whose commitment to the transatlantic defense and logistics community helped make this event possible while providing valuable engagement opportunities with senior decision-makers.

Gold Sponsors

Rhenus Group Sales Services GmbH
National Air Cargo (Deutschland) GmbH
Movilpaq Levante, S.L.

Compass Forwarding

Silver Sponsors

Hidraulika Kurelja d.o.o.
COMARK d.o.o.

Bronze Sponsor

Cordstrap BV

Commonwealth Chapter Meet & Greet Luncheon

Fort Lee
3312 Adams Ave., Building 12010
Fort Lee, Va. 23801
Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, at 11 a.m. EDT

Don’t miss this key networking opportunity where you can meet other attendees, exchange ideas, strengthen connections and enjoy lunch! Stay tuned for more information on this exciting event.

Missed a great NDTA conference or meeting session — or ready to revisit one? Check out NDTA’s video archives to find standout sessions that feature ideas, expertise and perspectives from leaders and experts across the defense transportation community.

In his 2026 SFPM session, From Sealift to Strategic Advantage: Mobilizing America’s Maritime Strength in a Contested World, Capt. Stephen M. Carmel explains why a strong merchant marine, shipbuilding base and maritime workforce are vital to national security — and America’s ability to prevail in conflict. CLICK HERE TO WATCH!

Good ideas don’t have an expiration date. Revisit a Defense Transportation Journal article from the NDTA archives and discover insights that resonate with today’s challenges.

In his article, Defending the Army Organic Industrial Base from Threats: Including Small, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), COL Christopher J. Masson examines the risks of drone surveillance and attacks — and how JIATF 401, legislation, artificial intelligence, and interagency coordination can strengthen homeland defense and industrial resilience.

Editor’s Picks

Amazon Suspends 21 Air Cargo Operations After Fatal Accident

Amazon suspended operations with contracted cargo carrier 21 Air following the September 6 runway-overrun accident involving an Amazon Air-branded Boeing 767 at Miami International Airport. Five people on the ground were killed. Amazon said it made the decision after supporting the investigation and reviewing circumstances surrounding the accident. Seven 21 Air-operated freighters reportedly will be removed from Amazon’s contracted network, requiring the company to redistribute flying among other carriers ahead of the fourth-quarter shipping peak. The National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate the accident. (Amazon and Reuters, Sept. 13-14, 2026)

Boeing Receives $13.4 Billion Ceiling for KC-46 Tanker Work

The Department of War increased Boeing’s KC-46 contract ceiling by $13.4 billion, bringing the total ceiling to $19.1 billion. The modification adds production and support capacity for Japan, Israel and future Foreign Military Sales partners. Work is scheduled through April 2035. The KC-46 is central to aerial refueling and global air mobility, making the award directly relevant to force movement and military lift planning. The announced amount is a contract ceiling rather than money obligated immediately.  (Department of War, Sept. 11, 2026).

Record Rail Fuel Surcharges Raise Grain Transportation Costs

Rail fuel surcharges on U.S. grain shipments reached 48 cents per mile per railcar, a 153% increase from a year earlier, according to Department of Agriculture data. The charges now account for approximately 11% of grain rail transportation costs, compared with 5% last year. BNSF, CSX and Union Pacific reportedly collected nearly $3 billion in fuel surcharges during the second quarter. The increase is squeezing agricultural shippers during the corn and soybean harvest and renewing concerns about how surcharge formulas respond when fuel prices decline.  (Reuters, Sept. 14, 2026).

Revised $4.2 Billion ZIM Bid Adds Israeli Control and Maritime Safeguards

Hapag-Lloyd revised its proposed $4.2 billion acquisition of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services after Israeli officials and labor groups raised national-security concerns. The structure would place 16 vessels in a new Israeli-controlled company backed by FIMI, preserve direct maritime connections and lower the allowable foreign-ownership threshold from 24% to 10%. Israel’s cabinet is expected to review the proposal. The transaction could affect ownership, capacity and government control of a strategically important international carrier.  Saudi-linked vessels remain insurable, but at higher rates. (Reuters, Sept. 7, 2026).

DLA Awards Nearly $497M Fresh-Produce Distribution Contract

Creation Gardens, doing business as What Chefs Want, received an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum value of $496.8 million. The firm-fixed-price contract includes economic-price adjustments and covers fresh fruit and vegetable distribution for the Army, Air Force and Department of Agriculture. The five-year ordering period runs through Sept. 7, 2031. The award establishes a substantial subsistence-distribution vehicle with direct implications for military food supply chains, transportation demand and regional delivery capacity. (Department of War, Sept. 8, 2026).

FAA Prepares Predictive System to Reduce Flight Delays

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford met with the chief executives of American, United, Delta and Southwest to prepare the September deployment of the Strategic Management of Airspace Resources and Trajectories system. The platform will analyze airline schedules, weather, airport capacity and airspace constraints to recommend earlier operational adjustments. Initial use will focus on recovery after weather disruptions, followed by predeparture scheduling and trajectory management. The initiative is supported by an $875 million, 12-year contract with Air Space Intelligence and forms part of the $12.5 billion air-traffic-control overhaul. (Reuters, Sept. 10, 2026).

FAA Distributes $1.1 Billion for Airport Infrastructure and Surface Safety

The Federal Aviation Administration announced 280 grants covering airports in 46 states and three territories. The $1.1 billion package includes $30.7 million for runway reconstruction at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, $18.9 million for terminal expansion at Shreveport Regional Airport and $11.5 million for a contract tower at Mankato Regional Airport. Another $10.9 million will equip 3,000 airport vehicles at 61 airports with movement-area transmitters that allow controllers to track vehicles on runways and taxiways.  (Federal Aviation Administration, Sept. 14, 2026).

Texas Launches Federal Advanced-Air-Mobility Demonstrations

Texas began demonstrations under the Department of Transportation’s Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program. BETA Technologies, Joby Aviation and the Texas Department of Transportation are testing operations intended to support future regional routes connecting Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and Houston. Planned missions include passenger transportation, cargo logistics, medical response and disaster support. Flight data will inform Federal Aviation Administration regulations and certification work. Initial demonstrations do not carry paying passengers, but they establish an operational and regulatory pathway for future service. (Federal Aviation Administration, Sept. 10, 2026).

State Department Updates Italy Travel Guidance

The State Department updated its Italy travel advisory and maintained Level 2, exercise increased caution, because of terrorism risks. The guidance warns that attacks could occur with little or no warning at transportation hubs, tourist locations, hotels, restaurants and public events. The advisory gives government and corporate travel managers a current risk benchmark for approving travel, briefing travelers and reviewing duty-of-care measures for one of Europe’s largest official and business-travel destinations. (Department of State, Sept. 14, 2026).

FEMA Kicks Off National Preparedness Month

(www.ready.gov) The 2026 National Preparedness Month theme of FEMA’s Ready Campaign is  “Americans Stand Ready.”  The campaign empowers Americans to take charge of their own readiness by creating an emergency plan to keep their families safe and their neighborhood and communities more resilient—before, during and after disasters.

2026 National Preparedness Month Partner Toolkit.pdf

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