The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association

September 9, 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…]

SSA Marine Subsidiary Wins USTRANSCOM Port Services Contract

SSA Atlantic LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of SSA Marine, received a U.S. Transportation Command contract for stevedoring and related terminal services at the ports of Charleston, Savannah, Wilmington and Morehead City. The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract is valued at $72.7 million, with a cumulative face value of approximately $90.9 million. Work is expected to continue through Sept. 30, 2031. Fiscal 2027 Transportation Working Capital Funds are being obligated at award. The contract directly supports military cargo handling and deployment operations at four strategically important East Coast ports. (U.S. Department of War, Sept. 3, 2026)

Trailer Bridge Secures Long-Term Terminal Support for Puerto Rico Service

Trailer Bridge and Ports America signed a 10-year agreement covering stevedoring services and terminal technology for Trailer Bridge’s Jones Act service between Jacksonville, Fla., and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ports America will handle cargo at Trailer Bridge’s Blount Island terminal and deploy its Dockworks operating system to improve cargo tracking and supply-chain visibility. Customer-facing capabilities are expected in 2027. The agreement includes two optional five-year extensions, creating a potential 20-year operating relationship. The investment should improve equipment utilization, cargo visibility and service reliability along an important domestic maritime corridor. (FreightWaves/American Shipper, Sept. 4, 2026)

MANTECH Wins $345 Million Navy Cyber and C3I Task Order

MANTECH received a five-year, $345 million task order supporting the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division’s Expeditionary C3 and Cyber Division. The work encompasses research and development for command, control, communications and intelligence systems, cybersecurity, electronic warfare, tactical networks, mission assurance, testing, training and field engineering. MANTECH said it will apply digital engineering, data analytics and artificial intelligence to help move new capabilities from laboratory development into operational use. The program supports deployable naval and expeditionary systems operating in contested digital environments. (MANTECH, Sept. 2, 2026)

Boeing Receives P-8A Sustainment Contract Modification

The Navy awarded Boeing a $31.5 million modification for continued sustainment of the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. The work includes support-equipment maintenance, engineering investigations, platform sustainment and integrated maintenance augmentation for the U.S. Navy and international partners including Australia, the United Kingdom, Norway, New Zealand, South Korea and Germany. Approximately $20.5 million in U.S. and allied funding is being obligated at award. Work will be conducted at numerous U.S. and overseas locations and is expected to conclude in September 2027. (U.S. Department of War, Sept. 3, 2026)

UPS Reorganizes Around Global Integrated Logistics

UPS announced a new operating and leadership structure designed to emphasize integrated global logistics over traditional domestic parcel delivery. The company plans to standardize operations across geographic regions while retaining flexibility for local markets. A new chief global operations officer will oversee UPS’s air network, airport gateways, surface transportation, engineering, automotive operations and network-modernization initiatives. The reorganization follows the elimination of approximately half of UPS’s Amazon volume and the closure of 150 parcel-sorting facilities. UPS is shifting resources toward healthcare, industrial, automotive and international logistics services. (FreightWaves/American Shipper, Aug. 31, 2026)

Maersk Plans First Wind-Assisted Container Ship Pilot

Maersk signed an agreement to install its first wind-assisted propulsion system on a container vessel. A 115-foot rotor sail will be retrofitted to an 8,700-TEU Lima-class ship, with installation planned for mid-2027. The vessel is expected to test the system during regular North and South Atlantic service. Manufacturer Anemoi estimates that each rotor sail can save one ton of fuel and three tons of carbon dioxide emissions per day. The pilot will help Maersk assess whether wind-assisted technology can reduce fuel consumption and emissions across portions of its ocean fleet. (FreightWaves/American Shipper, Sept. 4, 2026)

SSA Marine Subsidiary Wins USTRANSCOM Port Services Contract

SSA Atlantic LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of SSA Marine, received a U.S. Transportation Command contract for stevedoring and related terminal services at the ports of Charleston, Savannah, Wilmington and Morehead City. The indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract is valued at $72.7 million, with a cumulative face value of approximately $90.9 million. Work is expected to continue through Sept. 30, 2031. Fiscal 2027 Transportation Working Capital Funds are being obligated at award. The contract directly supports military cargo handling and deployment operations at four strategically important East Coast ports. (U.S. Department of War, Sept. 3, 2026)

Trailer Bridge Secures Long-Term Terminal Support for Puerto Rico Service

Trailer Bridge and Ports America signed a 10-year agreement covering stevedoring services and terminal technology for Trailer Bridge’s Jones Act service between Jacksonville, Fla., and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Ports America will handle cargo at Trailer Bridge’s Blount Island terminal and deploy its Dockworks operating system to improve cargo tracking and supply-chain visibility. Customer-facing capabilities are expected in 2027. The agreement includes two optional five-year extensions, creating a potential 20-year operating relationship. The investment should improve equipment utilization, cargo visibility and service reliability along an important domestic maritime corridor. (FreightWaves/American Shipper, Sept. 4, 2026)

MANTECH Wins $345 Million Navy Cyber and C3I Task Order

MANTECH received a five-year, $345 million task order supporting the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division’s Expeditionary C3 and Cyber Division. The work encompasses research and development for command, control, communications and intelligence systems, cybersecurity, electronic warfare, tactical networks, mission assurance, testing, training and field engineering. MANTECH said it will apply digital engineering, data analytics and artificial intelligence to help move new capabilities from laboratory development into operational use. The program supports deployable naval and expeditionary systems operating in contested digital environments. (MANTECH, Sept. 2, 2026)

Boeing Receives P-8A Sustainment Contract Modification

The Navy awarded Boeing a $31.5 million modification for continued sustainment of the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. The work includes support-equipment maintenance, engineering investigations, platform sustainment and integrated maintenance augmentation for the U.S. Navy and international partners including Australia, the United Kingdom, Norway, New Zealand, South Korea and Germany. Approximately $20.5 million in U.S. and allied funding is being obligated at award. Work will be conducted at numerous U.S. and overseas locations and is expected to conclude in September 2027. (U.S. Department of War, Sept. 3, 2026)

UPS Reorganizes Around Global Integrated Logistics

UPS announced a new operating and leadership structure designed to emphasize integrated global logistics over traditional domestic parcel delivery. The company plans to standardize operations across geographic regions while retaining flexibility for local markets. A new chief global operations officer will oversee UPS’s air network, airport gateways, surface transportation, engineering, automotive operations and network-modernization initiatives. The reorganization follows the elimination of approximately half of UPS’s Amazon volume and the closure of 150 parcel-sorting facilities. UPS is shifting resources toward healthcare, industrial, automotive and international logistics services. (FreightWaves/American Shipper, Aug. 31, 2026)

Maersk Plans First Wind-Assisted Container Ship Pilot

Maersk signed an agreement to install its first wind-assisted propulsion system on a container vessel. A 115-foot rotor sail will be retrofitted to an 8,700-TEU Lima-class ship, with installation planned for mid-2027. The vessel is expected to test the system during regular North and South Atlantic service. Manufacturer Anemoi estimates that each rotor sail can save one ton of fuel and three tons of carbon dioxide emissions per day. The pilot will help Maersk assess whether wind-assisted technology can reduce fuel consumption and emissions across portions of its ocean fleet. (FreightWaves/American Shipper, Sept. 4, 2026)

Sedgwick Government Solutions

Sedgwick Government Solutions provides technology-enabled risk, claims and managed care services for federal agencies nationwide. Its capabilities include workers’ compensation, disability and absence management, auto liability, property, contact center support, national provider networks, third-party administration and case management technology. Serving more than 20 government agency clients across all 50 states and U.S. territories, Sedgwick helps agencies manage complex programs, maintain compliance, control costs and support workforce health and productivity.

Point of Contact

Sean O’Neil, PhD
Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer
Sedgwick Government Solutions
Email: sean.oneil@sedgwickgovernment.com
Website: https://www.sedgwickgovernment.com

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 2025 GovTravels keynote session, travel expert Del Ross, Senior Advisor, McKinsey & Company, presents AI Transformation in the Travel Industry: Current Trends & Future Opportunities. He explains how the travel industry is leveraging AI to enhance services, improve efficiency, and reshape customer experiences. Learn actionable steps to take in the evolving landscape of travel transportation. 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, Powering Ports and Next-Generation Shipping with Nuclear Energy, Mike Pierce of CORE POWER examines how small modular reactors, floating nuclear power plants, and nuclear propulsion could provide resilient power for strategic seaports and commercial fleets while reducing dependence on vulnerable grids, fuel supply chains, and bunkering infrastructure.

Today’s USTRANSCOM Cybersecurity Pulse examines a broad range of threats affecting critical infrastructure, government agencies, businesses and technology platforms. The White House has launched a water cybersecurity pilot in Texas, while a cybersecurity incident and physical breach were reported at West Lawrence Water. In another critical-infrastructure development, the Trump administration is moving to block risky foreign technology from the U.S. power grid.

International cyber activity also remains a major concern. The FBI disabled China-linked hacking tools used against U.S. agencies, while the China-linked Fire Ant group reportedly hijacked Cisco routers to steal credentials and suppress security logs. In Europe, Berlin confirmed data theft following claims of a Rhysida ransomware attack. Meanwhile, five Venezuelans pleaded guilty to conducting ATM jackpotting attacks in the United States, and McKesson disclosed a breach after ShinyHunters claimed to have stolen patient data.

Technology companies are responding to emerging threats and service disruptions. Cloudflare launched Adaptive Intelligence to rewrite bot-management rules dynamically, while Microsoft advised users to disregard erroneous “Antivirus is turned off” warnings. A separate Microsoft Exchange Online outage caused email delivery failures and authentication problems. Looking ahead, OpenAI, Anthropic and more than 100 other companies warned that AI-enabled cyberattacks are poised to increase dramatically. Anthropic also cautioned that infostealer malware is hijacking Claude sessions to consume victims’ usage allowances. Finally, beyond cybersecurity, Port Houston reported that July container volumes fell 6% as the recent import surge cooled.

Editor’s Picks

Coast Guard Review Finds Growing Navigation Risks at Major U.S. Ports

A U.S. Coast Guard review conducted after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse found that ports face growing risks as larger vessels operate near aging bridges and other infrastructure. The inquiry evaluated 11 port areas and issued 20 recommendations, including stronger risk-management policies, improved data collection, added tug and salvage capacity, and greater use of real-time navigation sensors. Eighteen of 41 Coast Guard port zones surveyed had no record of completing a required waterways review since 2015. The Coast Guard is accepting stakeholder comments through Feb. 28, 2027. (gCaptain, Sept. 4, 2026).

Oakland Advances $642 Million Harbor Expansion for Larger Ships

The Port of Oakland and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed a design agreement for a $642 million project that would widen the port’s inner and outer turning basins. The inner basin would expand from 1,500 feet to 1,834 feet in diameter, while the outer basin would grow from 1,650 feet to 1,965 feet. The changes are intended to reduce maneuvering restrictions for larger containerships and improve the safety and efficiency of vessel movements. Officials also are considering a design-build approach that could shorten the contracting schedule and begin dredging sooner. (gCaptain, Sept. 4, 2026).

Hormuz Traffic Remains Far Below Prewar Levels

Only four commodity vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on Sept. 3, down from nine the previous day and below the 10-day average of approximately 15, according to preliminary Kpler data. Before the Iran war began Feb. 28, about 125 large commercial vessels passed through the strait each day. The waterway normally supports about one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas supply. Analysts expect flows to remain depressed through November, while traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb also remains below recent averages. (gCaptain/Reuters, Sept. 4, 2026).

Maritime War-Risk Claims Exceed $2 Billion

Marine insurers have received more than 70 war-risk claims totaling approximately $2 billion since fighting began in the Middle East. The International Maritime Organization has recorded more than 72 attacks on ships since March. Insurance premiums for Strait of Hormuz voyages have risen to between 40 and 60 times their prewar levels, with rates reaching as much as 10% of a vessel’s hull value. Underwriters also have expanded designated war-risk areas farther along Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast. Saudi-linked vessels remain insurable, but at higher rates. (gCaptain, Sept. 3, 2026).

Bipartisan Bill Would Extend Tax Break to U.S. Merchant Mariners

A bipartisan group of House members introduced the American Mariner Tax Fairness Act, which would extend the federal foreign earned income exclusion to qualifying U.S. merchant mariners working in international trade. Mariners who spend at least 90 days during a 12-month period aboard qualifying U.S.-flag vessels could exclude income earned during eligible periods at sea. Supporters say the proposal would strengthen recruitment and retention as the maritime industry faces a shortage of credentialed mariners needed for commercial operations and wartime sealift. (gCaptain, Sept. 2, 2026).

FAA Tests Remotely Piloted Hybrid-Electric Cargo Aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Elroy Air and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development conducted a remotely piloted hybrid-electric cargo flight at Houma-Terrebonne Airport. It was the first remotely piloted test under the FAA’s electric vertical takeoff and landing Integration Pilot Program. The demonstrations will provide operational and safety data for integrating autonomous cargo aircraft into the National Airspace System. Potential applications include disaster response, offshore energy support, industrial supply chains and deliveries to communities beyond established transportation networks. (Federal Aviation Administration, Aug. 31, 2026).

GSA Raises Standard Federal Per Diem to $181

The General Services Administration (GSA) increased the standard federal per diem rate for fiscal 2027 by $3, bringing the daily maximum to $181. The lodging component will rise from $110 to $113, while the meals and incidental-expense allowance will remain at $68 for the third consecutive year. The rates take effect on Oct. 1 and apply to federal employees and government contractors traveling in locations that are not designated as nonstandard areas. GSA reduced the number of nonstandard areas by one, to 295. (Business Travel News, Sept. 4, 2026).

FAA Awards $481 Million for Airport Improvements

The FAA awarded 191 infrastructure grants totaling $481 million to airports in 36 states and two territories. Major awards include $100 million for runway, taxiway, terminal and runway-safety improvements at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, $32.5 million for terminal reconstruction at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport and $30.3 million for terminal construction at San Diego International Airport. Other grants support taxiways, aprons, terminals and snow-removal facilities. (Federal Aviation Administration, Sept. 3, 2026).

FAA Installs Surface Surveillance Technology at 100th Airport

The FAA installed its 100th Surface Awareness Initiative system, reaching nearly half of the 220 airports scheduled to receive the technology. The system allows air traffic controllers to track aircraft and ground vehicles in real time, including during poor weather and when objects are outside the tower’s direct line of sight. Recent installations include airports in Ann Arbor, Mich., Billings, Mont., Gulfport, Miss., Greenville, S.C., and Corpus Christi, Texas. The FAA plans to equip another 44 airports by the end of 2026. (Federal Aviation Administration, Sept. 2, 2026).

Manassas Airport Cleared for Commercial Passenger Service

The FAA granted Washington Manassas Regional Airport a Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate, allowing it to accommodate qualifying commercial passenger airlines. It is the first Virginia airport to receive such a certificate in 53 years and could provide another commercial gateway for the Washington metropolitan area. The FAA has invested more than $46 million at the airport during the past five years, including funding for runway rehabilitation, communications equipment and a future air traffic control tower. (Federal Aviation Administration, Aug. 31, 2026).

Join NDTA’s Virtual Chapter Discussion: The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul

The U.S. NDTA Virtual Chapter invites you to join an informative discussion on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 14:00 EDT featuring Alan Chvotkin, Partner at Protorae Law PLLC, as we examine the evolving landscape of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).

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

The Source is a free educational publication for NDTA members, conference attendees, and associates.