Armored Vehicles Across the Pacific
CLIENT
The United States maintains a broad network of overseas military bases and forward-positioned forces that depend on continuous logistics support to sustain readiness. Moving critical military equipment across borders—often under tight timelines and complex regulatory conditions—is an essential part of maintaining global force posture and stability.
THE CHALLENGE
Moving a full fleet of defense vehicles overseas
In support of the US Marine Corps prepositioning program, ICAT was engaged by a major US defense contractor to transport 123 up-armored vehicles from Jacksonville, FL, to a USMC base in the Philippines. Due to the scale and sensitivity of the cargo, a dedicated RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) vessel was chartered to sail across the Pacific and meet the required delivery window.
When the vessel was nearing the Philippines, the Embassy opposed the shipment’s entry, despite the Department of Defense’s pre-approval for the vehicles to be delivered. This denial introduced significant financial exposure, schedule risk, and operational uncertainty—requiring immediate action to prevent mission failure.
THE SOLUTION
On-site leadership and multi-stakeholder negotiations
ICAT deployed its senior defense leadership team on the ground in the Philippines to work directly with US government representatives, the foreign embassy, port operators, and the USMC. When clearance was denied, the team rapidly developed a contingency plan, including vessel diversion planning and alternative routing options.
Through direct diplomatic engagement and multi-stakeholder negotiations, ICAT aligned conflicting guidance and maintained control of the shipment until clearance was achieved. ICAT remained on-site throughout vessel unloading and final transit, managing all regulatory and access hurdles.
THE RESULTS
Regulatory defense expertise ensures mission success
The 123 up-armored vehicles were successfully delivered to the USMC base, strengthening US operational readiness in the region.
Through hands-on leadership, adaptive problem solving, and continuous communication, ICAT was able to overcome a complex set of regulatory hurdles and ensure the successful delivery of the cargo.
High-stakes, mission-critical cargo strategically and securely moved to a US base in the Philippines
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