American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group Inc. (ARC) has increased its fleet of U.S.-flag roll-on roll-off vessels with the addition of two secondhand vessels.
The two vessels, named ARC Commitment and ARC Defender, were reflagged with the U.S. Coast Guard to the U.S. registry in Jacksonville, Florida, in December 2021 and January 2022, respectively.
Both vessels are enrolled in the Maritime Administration’s Maritime Security Program (MSP), the maritime readiness program that maintains an active fleet of U.S.-flag and privately owned commercial vessels available to the Department of Defense to provide sealift capability and support to the military in times of conflict or other national emergencies.
ARC, a subsidiary of Wallenius Wilhelmsen, headquartered in Oslo, Norway, is the largest operator of U.S.-flag ro-ro vessels and owns and operates a total of nine vessels operating in international trade. With the addition of the two vessels, the company has reflagged seven new vessels to MSP and the U.S. registry since 2016.
“These tremendously capable and flexible U.S.-flag assets are poised to support U.S. national defense and economic security through trade, and further strengthen ARC’s position as the leading U.S.-flag Ro-Ro carrier,” said Eric Ebeling, ARC President and CEO.
ARC says the two vessels are among the most capable and militarily useful in the U.S.-flag commercial fleet, with the ability to transport tracked and wheeled vehicles, helicopters and other high and heavy project cargoes.
The ARC Commitment, built in 2011, is 227.80 m long with a 6.50 m high stern opening and a stern ramp suitable for loads up to 320 MT. It is the company’s third U.S.-flag LCTC (large car truck carrier). The ARC Defender, built in 2008, is 199.99 m long, has a 5.20 m high stern opening and a stern ramp for cargoes up to 237 MT. It is a sister ship to ARC’s M/V Liberty.
