American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier LLC (ARC) said it will transfer two ships it operates between the United States and Europe to the U.S./Middle East trade, while retiring another ship, creating additional capacity and increased frequency of service.
The Park Ridge, N.J.-based carrier said two U.S.-flag ro/ro ships, the Freedom and Liberty, will join sister ships Resolve and Honor.
ARC said the redeployments "will add necessary U.S.-flag capacity and improved frequency to support U.S.-flag preference cargo and commercial customers in the important and expanding Mideast market."
At the same time ARC also said it is retiring another ro/ro ship, Independence, from U.S.-flag liner service at age 30.
The changes will be made in February and March, and will result in four ships offering 17-day frequency.
ARC will maintain its current base port calls at Houston; Jacksonville, Fla.; Baltimore; Charleston, S.C.; Kuwait; Dammam; Dubai; Jeddah; and Alexandria. It will also offer inducement calls to ports throughout the region.
ARC said it also plans to purchase a new U.S.-flag ship that will be deployed in its European service.
Effective in March, ARC will offer a North Europe service four ships on a fixed day of the week schedule.
The new ship will join Patriot, Courage and Integrity in the in the U.S./North Europe trade. Base port calls in the service will remain Newark; Baltimore; Brunswick, Ga.; Charleston; Bremerhaven; Antwerp; Zeebrugge; and Southampton.
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