Overview
ARC is the largest US-flag Roll-on/roll-off carrier, and one of the largest US-flag shipping lines operating in international trade. [2]
The company was founded in 1990, and is presently headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida [3] and it is part of Wilh. Wilhelmsen group, along with Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, EUKOR and United European Car Carriers.
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.
ARC holds nine Maritime Security Program (MSP) contracts, the second-largest program participant, providing to the US armed forces from and to the US and Europe when the space on board is not utilized by commercial cargo. [4] [5] All of its vessels are also part of the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA), a jointly sponsored program by the US Maritime Administration and US Transportation Command. [6]
By 2008, ARC was one of the three largest companies (alongside Maersk Line Limited and APL) providing the majority of liner transport capacity in the MSP fleet. [7] These three firms handled most of the military shipments of containerized, breakbulk, and Ro-Ro cargo to the Middle East in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Since 2022, ARC has played a prominent role in transporting U.S. military cargo for NATO’s Operation Atlantic Resolve exercises in the wake of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. [8] Between August 2022 and July 2023, ARC moved approximately 32,000 pieces of military equipment across the Atlantic on behalf of the U.S. military, including Bradley Fighting Vehicles and HIMARS missile systems. [8] [9]
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.
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. [10] 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. [11] 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. [12]
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. [13]
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