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ARC Adds Two Ro-Ro Carriers to U.S.-Flag

M/V Arc Commitment. Photo courtesy ARC

ARC Adds Two Ro-Ro Carriers to U.S.-Flag

Mike Schuler
Total Views: 3614
January 26, 2022

American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group Inc. (ARC) has increased its fleet of U.S.-flag roll-on/roll-off carriers with the addition two secondhand ships.

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 ships are enrolled in Maritime Administration’s Maritime Security Program (MSP), the maritime readiness program that maintains an active fleet of U.S.-flag, privately-owned commercial ships available to the Department of Defense to provide sealift capacity and support to the military in times of conflict or other national emergencies.

ARC, a subsidiary of Oslo, Norway-based Wallenius Wilhelmsen, is the largest operator of U.S.-flag roll-on/roll-off carriers and owns and operates a total nine vessels operating in the international trades. With the addition of the two vessels, the company has now re-flagged seven new vessels into MSP and U.S. registry since 2016.

“These tremendously capable and flexible U.S.-flag assets stand ready to support America’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 & CEO.

ARC says the two vessels are among the most capable and militarily useful vessels in the U.S.-flag commercial fleet, with the ability to carry tracked and wheeled vehicles, helicopters, and other high and heavy project cargoes.

ARC Commitment, built in 2011, is 227.80m long with a 6.50m high stern opening and a stern ramp rated for cargo weighing up to 320 MT. It is the company’s third U.S.-flag LCTC (large car truck carrier). ARC Defender, built in 2008, is 199.99m long with a 5.20m high stern opening and a stern ramp rated for cargo weighing up to 237 MT. It is a sister ship to ARC’s M/V Liberty.

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