The world’s eyes are in the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf/Strait of Hormuz, bringing Maritime Security into a sharper focus. The National Security Mission is certainly important and occupies a substantial portion of the headlines. The Strait of Hormuz holds a strategic position as the only natural waterway between the Arabian Gulf and the open ocean sea lanes. To the north lies Iran, to the south at its narrowest point of 24 miles, is the Musandam Peninsula, a point shared by the United Arab Emirates and the Musandam Governate of Oman. To transit the Strait a ship must pass through the territorial waters of Iran and Oman. This passage is called innocent passage and is governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Both Iran (1982) and Oman (1989) ratified UNCLOS and have recognized the right of innocent passage. The Strait has a traffic separation scheme for inbound and outbound traffic separated by a two-mile wide median in order to maintain safe passage. There has been a long-standing conflict between the United States (U.S.) and Iran, where Iran requires all warships to gain permission for innocent passage through the Strait in conflict with UNCLOS.

Much has been written about the strategic importance of this waterway, but that is not the focus of this paper. At a high level, it’s critical to realize that 20% of all Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and 25% of all seaborne crude oil pass through the Strait with most (75%) destined for Asian markets. Iran through recent history has attempted, with varying levels of success, to impede the flow of goods through the Strait. Within this operating environment, Mid-Tier Companies play a distinct and often overlooked role. Mid-Tier Companies, defined as firms that operate between large prime contractors and small businesses, delivering specialized, mission-focused capabilities. These companies provide the U.S. Navy with expertise, impacting the kinetic conflict through preparation and regional knowledge, but generally do not supply precision weapons or major weapons systems. Examples of the strategic role Mid-Tier Companies provide in supporting the maritime security mission include: Ability to Procure Critical Systems Culmen is on a contract called the Maritime Acquisition Advancement Contract (MAAC). This contract supplies systems and subsystems to the Navy across the mission areas, Amphibious, Carrier, Cruiser Destroyer (CRUDES), Submarine and Expeditionary, with subareas in Hull, Mechanical and Electrical, (HM&E) and Electronics.

This is a rapid procurement contract through the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to provide a more complex system parts capability, rather than individual repair parts, to support long-term operations of the Navy. The MAAC vehicle is an example of the level of mission-focused support Mid-Tier Companies provide. Access to MAAC is facilitated through the Defense Logistics Agency, allowing Navy and federal customers to rapidly task awardees for the procurement and delivery of critical systems and subsystems. Specialized Regional Insights The other area of support is regional expertise, where Mid-Tier Companies, like Culmen International, play a critical role in delivering practical, mission-focused solutions and advancing U.S. National and Maritime Security objectives, even without serving as the primary contractor. Culmen, through a U.S. State Department grant, developed an exportable capability based around frameworks within the maritime sanctions environment, awareness of deceptive maritime business operations, and effective screening in the maritime trade environment. This was recently provided to Cook Islands ship registry and trade compliance groups. The U.S. partnered with the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority to explore deep sea mining within the Cook Islands Economic Exclusion Zone for rare earth metals. The Cook Islands seabed is one of two discovered areas rich in critical minerals.

Currently, the U.S. has difficulty, because of international politics, securing these critical minerals, essential to precision munitions and maritime platforms such as the Virginia Class Submarine. Culmen’s partnership with the State Department brings the Cook Island mineral potential and U.S. deep ocean technology together to mitigate a strategic supply concern and help develop the Cook Island economy. In a large-scale deep-sea mineral extraction mining project, maritime security will be an essential supporting mission. This capability reflects Culmen’s broader work supporting governments, port authorities, and maritime stakeholders globally, strengthening partner capacity to identify deceptive shipping practices, enforce international sanctions, and disrupt illicit networks across highrisk maritime environments.

Direct Support Direct contracts for logistics and systems support, along with regional expertise and established relationships are two of the ways Mid-Tier Companies, such as Culmen International, can have a significant impact on U.S. National and Maritime Security missions. This includes providing integrated systems and subsystems for naval platforms through DLA contract vehicles, managing export/import and licensing requirements, and delivering targeted maritime sanctions compliance training to partner nations to detect deceptive shipping practices and enforce international regulations. Culmen International and other Mid-Tier Companies play critical roles in safeguarding U.S. interests and accomplishing global national security priorities. Learn more about how Culmen’s expertise can help your organization achieve mission success at www.culmen.com.

About Culmen International Established in 2004, Culmen International, LLC is a privately held U.S. company with more than twenty years’ experience providing exceptional support to the United States Government (USG), multinational organizations, and foreign partners. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, with personnel permanently based in over 40 countries, Culmen has accomplished critical missions in more than 170 countries. Culmen enhances global safety and security, strengthens homeland defense, advances humanitarian programs, and supports government operations. Our global team of more than 400 professionals provides technical and management services, procurement, logistics, research and analysis, and technology development and deployment.