ARC car carrier enters US Maritime Security Programme

In late Summer, the American Roll-On, Roll-Off Carrier Group ARC—the largest US flag operator of ro-ro vessels—acquired a Large Car Truck Carrier (LCTC), with the ability to handle military equipment such as tanks, copters, and vertical lift aircraft. The vessel, which had previously served in the Wallenius Wilhelmsen ro-ro fleet, was flagged in the United States and renamed ARC Endeavor.

ARC has now announced that the recent fleet addition has entered the Maritime Security Program (MSP), which provides the US with a fleet of vessels generally deployed in US export trades, including military cargo, and those linked to US trade finance programs.

The 60 vessels in the MSP can be accessed in times of military emergencies, or in the event of national crises. Vessels in the program are registered in the US and employ US mariners, but unlike the Jones Act, which applies to coastwise and inland trades, need not be built domestically.

Describing the vessel, ARC said: “The vessel measures 754 feet (229.99 meters) in length with a 21-foot (6.50 meters) high stern opening and a stern ramp rated for cargo weighing up to 320 tons. Regarding car-equivalent units, the ARC Endeavor can carry over 7,500 vehicles at once.”

During the past year, rumblings about US military readiness, which encompasses programs like the MSP, have been growing louder. At the mid-November Marine Money conference in New Orleans, various panels pointed to the importance of US seafarers, a potential constraint on the growth of a US-flagged fleet.

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In ARC’s announcement of the vessel’s move into the MSP, a top labour executive, Dave Heindel, President, Seafarers International Union (SIU),  was quoted saying:  “Through our valued partnership with ARC and the US military, the addition of the M/V ARC Endeavor to the MSP program under US registry underscores our shared commitment to strengthening the US-flag fleet and supporting national defence…” adding that: “Together, we continue to enhance readiness and ensure reliable maritime capabilities for our nation.”

The recently-acquired vessel replaces ARC’s M/V Endurance , one of the largest ro-ros in the world according to ARC at 860 feet, a ship which will remain flagged in the States. Typical cargoes for MSP ro-ros include CH-47 Chinook copters, MRAP armoured personnel carriers, M-ATV mine resistant vehicles, as well as construction equipment and generators.
ARC operates nine ro-ro vessels in the MSP fleet, and 10 US-flagged ships in total.