American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier

Last updated
American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier
Industry Transport
Founded1990
Headquarters Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, U.S.
Website www.arcshipping.com

American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier is an American shipping line specialized in Roll-on/roll-off worldwide sea carriage, integrated global logistics, and data technology solutions.

Contents

Overview

ARC is the largest US-flag Roll-on/roll-off carrier, and the second largest US-flag shipping line overall operating in international trade. [1]

The company was founded in 1990, and is presently headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida [2] and it is part of Wilh. Wilhelmsen group, along with Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, EUKOR and United European Car Carriers. The company holds ten Maritime Security Program (MSP) contracts, the second largest MSP participant behind Maersk.

All ARC vessels participate in the Maritime Security Program (MSP) [3] and Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA), [4] providing to the US armed forces sea transportation from and to the US and Europe when the space on board is not utilized by commercial cargo.

The company specializes in maritime transport and distribution of cargo such as automobiles, trucks, trailers, Mafi roll trailers, heavy construction machineries and further types of rolling freight, including military vehicles.

The main trade lanes are United States to Europe and Europe to the United States, specifically scheduling the Northern European ports of Antwerp, Bremerhaven, Southampton, and the US East coast ports of Baltimore, Charleston, Brunswick, Galveston.

Fleet

The ARC fleet currently comprises ten ships all with United States flag.

Vessels in the ARC Fleet as of 02 August 2025
NameIMO#BuiltReflagged (USMM)TonnageLength OverallBeamCargo CapacityPicture
MV Endurance (ex-Taronga)91212731996201072,708 GT264.6m (868.1 ft)32.26m (105.8 ft)4,923 CEUReserved for photograph.
MV ARC Resolve (ex-Otello)93161412006201961,260 GT199m (653 ft)32.26m (105.8 ft)6,736 CEUReserved for photograph.
MV Patriot (ex-Aida)93161392006201660,979 GT199m (653 ft)32.26m (105.8 ft)6,736 CEUReserved for photograph.
MV ARC Commitment (ex-Tiger)95050392011202174,255 GT230.8m (757 ft)32.26m (105.8 ft)7,934 CEUReserved for photograph.
MV Liberty (ex-Topeka)93101092006201761,321 GT199.99m (656.1 ft)32.26m (105.8 ft)6,354 CEUReserved for photograph.
MV ARC Independence (ex-Faust)93329252007201972,118 GT227.8m (747 ft)32.26m (105.8 ft)7,620 CEUReserved for photograph.
MV ARC Integrity (ex-Fedora)93329492008201972,118 GT227.8m (747 ft)32.26m (105.8 ft)7,620 CEUReserved for photograph.
MV ARC Honor (ex-Tulane)95050892012202472,295 GT229.99m (754.6 ft)32.26m (105.8 ft)7,970 CEUReserved for photograph.
MV ARC Defender (ex-Tomar)93752642008202261,328 GT199.99m (656.1 ft)32.26m (105.8 ft)6,354 CEUReserved for photograph.
MV ARC Endeavor (ex-Tugela)95050652011202472,295 GT229.99m (754.6 ft)32.26m (105.8 ft)7,970 CEUReserved for photograph.

The following pairs of vessels are sister ships: MV ARC Resolve and MV Patriot, MV ARC Independence and MV ARC Integrity, and MV ARC Honor and MV ARC Endeavor.

Facts and accidents

On 2 June 2015, a fire started on board of ARC owned M/V Courage. The vessel was sailing from Bremerhaven to Southampton when the flames broke out in the cargo hold, damaging vehicles and structure. [5] The crew was able to contain the fire while at anchor, about 40 nautical miles from Southampton.

On 24 February 2017, ARC owned M/V Honor faced an onboard fire in the English Channel while sailing in between the ports of Southampton and Baltimore. [6] The fire was kept under control by the 21 Crew members and was extinguished before the Coast Guard and fire brigades reached the vessel. The ship was then requested to proceed back into Southampton harbour for further inspection. [7]

On 8 August 2018, a fuel spill happened near Port Arthur, Texas due to the collision of ARC owned M/V Endurance against the Savage Pathfinder tugboat. 13,000 gallons of fuel were dispersed in the sea, however the spillage was secured and clean up started hours after the accident. [8]

See also

Current Ships

Former Ships

References

  1. "American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier Group adds vehicles carrier LIBERTY to the U.S.-flag fleet". VesselFinder. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  2. "ARC Announces New Officers and Directors". maritime-executive.com. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  3. "Maritime Security Program (MSP)". MARAD. Archived from the original on 2018-11-06. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  4. "Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA)". MARAD. Archived from the original on 2018-11-06. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  5. "Courage transporter blaze: Fire crews to assess ship damage". BBC News. Retrieved 2018-11-06.
  6. "Car Carrier Catches Fire in English Channel". World Maritime News. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  7. "ARC carrier forced back to Southampton port by fire". Automotive Logistics. Retrieved 2018-11-06.
  8. "Barge-Ro/Ro Collision Leads to Spill in Port Arthur". maritime-executive.com. Retrieved 2018-11-05.