VMA 2025 Recap: The Supply Chain Is Full of Opportunity and Risk

This year’s VMA 25 conference, sponsored by the Virginia Maritime Association, brought together industry leaders for spirited discussions on the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing maritime and supply chain professionals today.

The conference agenda sparked robust conversations among attendees, with several topics generating particular buzz: the potential creation of the first true transcontinental railroad in U.S. history, the accelerating growth of trans-Atlantic trade, and the ever-evolving landscape of tariffs and trade policy.

Three carrier presidents gathered for a candid discussion of the industry’s most critical challenges, including shifting carrier alliances, tariffs and USTR Chinese vessel fees, ongoing geopolitical disruption around the Red Sea, legacy infrastructure constraints, and ambitious decarbonization targets. Click here to learn what these industry leaders had to say about navigating these complex issues.

Insert The Way Ahead:  Perspectives from the Helm

Mark George, President and CEO of Norfolk Southern, shared insights on Norfolk Southern’s potential merger with Union Pacific—a move that would create the first genuine transcontinental railroad in U.S. history. The combined network would span more than 52,000 route miles across 43 states, linking the Atlantic and Pacific coasts under one unified system. Click here to watch the full fireside chat with Mark George.

 Insert Mark George Fireside Chat

North American and European trade experts explored the emerging opportunities and operational realities accompanying the growth of the trans-Atlantic trade lane. The panel examined how businesses are adapting their strategies to capitalize on this increasingly dynamic transatlantic environment. Click here to learn more about the future of trans-Atlantic trade.

Insert The New Trans-Atlantic Panel

Supply chain experts tackled one of the industry’s most complex challenges: managing tariff exposure in an uncertain policy environment. The panel offered practical guidance on how supply chain leaders can adjust sourcing strategies and build flexibility into their operations to mitigate risk. 

Insert Port to Policy Panel

Click here to watch all panels and presentations from VMA ’25.