The head of logistics for the U.S. armed forces is advocating for the acquisition of 10 used cargo ships to enhance the aging fleet that supports military operations abroad. Air Force Gen. Randall Reed, commander of United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), made this appeal during a prepared statement at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday. He expressed concern about the aging condition and declining readiness of the Ready Reserve Force, which is essential for transporting equipment and supplies from the U.S. during conflicts or emergencies.
Reed noted that the median age of the fleet’s 46 roll-on/roll-off ships is 47 years, with 14 ships being 50 years old or more, some of which are powered by steam. This outdated fleet threatens USTRANSCOM’s ability to deploy forces and equipment quickly across the globe when necessary.
To tackle this issue, USTRANSCOM is backing a Navy strategy to revitalize the government-owned sealift fleet by purchasing used vessels from the commercial sector. So far, seven used ships have been acquired, with two additional vessels anticipated in fiscal year 2025, which will provide over 1.5 million square feet of operational capacity, according to Reed.
However, Reed underscored the urgent need for more ships, as 30 current vessels are set to be retired between 2026 and 2034. He described the acquisition of 10 used ships as “vital for maintaining credible global deterrence.”
Reed positioned the recapitalization as part of a larger initiative to safeguard USTRANSCOM’s distinct capabilities to project U.S. military power worldwide, highlighting that no other nation or coalition can rival the U.S. in global airlift and sealift capacity.
He connected the necessity for fleet modernization to the rising challenges posed by adversaries like China, which is actively attempting to disrupt foreign infrastructure and impede U.S. mobility. Reed warned that the aging transportation assets, amidst growing capabilities of adversaries, highlight the critical importance of recapitalization across air, sea, and land mobility forces.
In addition to sealift concerns, Reed raised readiness issues regarding the Air Force’s aging KC-135 air refueling tankers and called for a faster rollout of new KC-46 tankers, characterizing the air refueling fleet as USTRANSCOM’s “most stressed” capability.
The push for 10 more cargo ships aligns with a broader strategy to modernize the U.S. military logistics framework. Reed emphasized that maintaining a strong sealift capacity is essential for deterring adversaries, reassuring allies, and providing national leaders with strategic options to address global crises.
