The Military Sealift Command awarded a $7.76 million firm fixed-price definitive contract to Waterman Transport Inc. (operating as Central Gulf Lines) on January 15, 2026, for a 43-day dry cargo time charter of a roll-on/roll-off vessel. The procurement, which was not set-aside for small businesses, supports the Department of Defense's global logistics operations by transporting approximately 240,000 square feet of military cargo, including tracked and wheeled vehicles and breakbulk items, from Charleston, South Carolina to Subic Bay, Philippines, with a scheduled layday window of February 4–8, 2026. Waterman Transport performed the work directly through its own maritime operations without disclosed major subcontractors, leveraging its extensive experience in military sealift operations.
Waterman Transport Inc. is a maritime transportation services provider and subsidiary of Seacor Holdings Inc. that specializes in ocean and intermodal cargo transportation for the Department of Defense. The company holds significant positions on major indefinite delivery contracts with the Air Force's Air Mobility Command, including the Universal Services Contract-10 and the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement Contingency Services contract, positioning it as a critical strategic carrier for Department of Defense global logistics and contingency sealift requirements. This award reflects the company's established capability to execute extended charter operations with contract values exceeding $11 million and its consistent success competing without set-aside designations through open competition as a large, for-profit entity.