ARC Group, a Florida-based company, has recently added a large cargo ship to the U.S. flag fleet. This ship, which previously operated under the Swedish flag, has been registered to support commercial and government customers and to increase the capacity of the U.S. maritime security program.
Details of the New Ship
The new ship, named ARC Freedom, was built in 2011 at the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in South Korea. Previously known as Figaro, it has recently been transferred to ARC Group and registered in the U.S. ARC Group, a subsidiary of the Norwegian Wilhelmsen Group, provides services to the U.S. government with a fleet of 10 ships.
Read more: Ofinity Acquires eBDN Submarine Business
The ARC Freedom ship measures 231 meters in length and has a deadweight tonnage (dwt) of 31,143 tons, capable of carrying nearly 8,000 cargo units. This ship includes 13 vehicle decks, five of which are liftable, providing the necessary flexibility for various types of cargo.
Importance of National Security
Eric Ablin, President and CEO of ARC Group, stated that the name ARC Freedom for a U.S. flagged ship is particularly fitting in the 250th anniversary year of the United States. Captain Stephen M. Carmel, head of the Maritime Administration (MARAD) at the U.S. Department of Transportation, added, "The addition of ARC Freedom to the U.S. flag fleet is a significant victory for U.S. national security. This ship, as part of the maritime security program, provides the capability for rapid response to U.S. military needs."
The Maritime Security Program (MSP) maintains a fleet of commercial ships with military capabilities active in international trade. This fleet is available to support the transportation needs of the U.S. Department of Defense, and MARAD is authorized to have a maximum of 60 ships in this program. The program's authorization has been extended until September 30, 2035.
Ship Capacity and Capabilities
ARC Group notes that the new ship has a main door height of 6.5 meters and a rear ramp capable of carrying moving loads up to 320 tons. This ship can transport various types of cargo, including vehicles, commercial equipment, heavy industrial loads, and military equipment such as the V-22 Osprey aircraft and CH-47 helicopters.
The American Maritime Officers Union welcomed the addition of this ship and emphasized the appointment of senior officers, marine and engineering from this union. The U.S. flag fleet is manned by AMO in all authorized positions, and fleet management is handled by Tote Services. ARC also has two other large ships with a capacity of nearly 8,000 units in service, as well as other ships with capacities ranging from 6,350 to 6,736 units.
Read more: Britten Company Begins Construction of Unmanned Surface Vehicles for the U.S. Navy · Peter Hegst Justifies War Against Iran with September 11
