Transportation and Logistics Aug. 29, 2025

Can America’s Supply Lines Hold? Evaluating the Transportation and Logistics Industry’s Readiness for Global Power Projection

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the U.S. transportation and logistics industry, examining its integral role in both the national economy and defense mobilization. Through industry research, expert interviews, and field studies, the study evaluates six key sectors—air freight, deep-sea shipping, ports and harbors, railroads, trucking, and warehousing—identifying strengths and systemic vulnerabilities. The research study’s analysis seeks to ascertain specific focus areas that can help to preserve strengths while mitigating short-and long-term vulnerabilities across the industry. The study first analyzes the transportation industry and its sub-sectors, and then examines the industry’s role in the U.S. economy and national security and mobilization. Next, the study identifies industry issues and concerns for consideration, and finally, provides policy recommendations for potential implementation

Transportation and Logistics (Formerly Global Agility) May 31, 2024

Reinvigorating U.S. Transportation Infrastructure: Investing To Enable Power Projection, Underwrite National Security, And Maintain Advantage in Great Power Competition

The U.S. must reassess its transportation and logistics infrastructure, which supports both military and economic power. The system is fragmented, with uncoordinated investments and increasing foreign competition, particularly from China. This has weakened the U.S.'s ability to mobilize forces and respond to crises, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and infrastructure failures. To improve, the U.S. must invest in updating key infrastructure, address labor issues, and better coordinate with allies. A senior coordinator should be appointed to lead a long-term strategy, integrating technology, innovation, and partnerships to strengthen the U.S. logistics base.

Transportation (formerly Global Agility): May 30, 2023

Sustaining Global Power Through U.S. Transportation Infrastructure: Setting the Conditions for Optimal Multimodal Logistics

The United States’ dependence on uncoordinated public and private investment across the transportation and logistics ecosystem (trucking, railroad, air freight, port and harbor, inland waterway, deep-sea shipping, and warehousing industry) puts the nation’s ability to mobilize for major military action at risk. Despite various laws and government programs designed to protect the U.S. industry, recent wide-ranging supply chain chaos exposed systemic vulnerabilities which impinge on industrial, consumer, and national security interests. As economic activity normalizes in the wake of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic, there is no expectation that the various corporate and government entities will construct a robust, long-lasting, system-wide framework to repair these exposures.

Transportation (formerly Global Agility): May 30, 2022

Sustaining the U.S. Advantage in Global Transportation and Logistics

The U.S. transportation and logistics (T&L) ecosystem – composed of multiple sectors through a complex system of freight forwarding, storage, and distribution – is an essential pillar of the economy and contributes to U.S. economic prosperity and thus U.S. national security. This paper provides a brief overview of U.S. Deep Sea Shipping, Inland Waterways, Ports and Harbors, Railways, Trucking, Air Freight, and Warehousing sectors of the T&L ecosystem. It also considers how digital infrastructure bridges and connects each of these elements. By analyzing T&L’s role in supporting the U.S. and global economy, national security, and its contribution to mobilization efforts, the paper identifies significant issues and concerns within the T&L ecosystem. It concludes with policy recommendations to strengthen the U.S. position.

Transportation: Dec. 30, 2017

Transportation

The transportation industry has long been the keystone of America’s security, military strength, and economic prowess. Today, challenges besiege this vital industry, directly impacting its ability to meet national resourcing requirements and continued economic expansion. The most significant challenges are labor shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and barriers to automation (to include cyber security threats), each of which is impacted by burdensome regulation. The government, in coordination with industry stakeholders, must address these challenges by making strategic investments in infrastructure, reviewing, revising or rescinding current regulations, and implementing new policies to incentivize growth and industry efficiency.