AMO Currents - New jobs for AMO as ARC proceeds with plans to re-flag car carrier

AMO Currents - Posted: January 26, 2010

New jobs for AMO as ARC proceeds with plans to re-flag car carrier

American Roll-On/Roll-Off Carrier will proceed with plans announced last year to purchase and re-flag a ninth car carrier into U.S. registry. The ship is scheduled to enter service in New York on Feb. 15 and will be named the M/V Endurance.

Members of American Maritime Officers joined the ship (former M/V Taronga) this month in California. When it is re-flagged, the Endurance will be operated by Crowley Liner Services for American Roll-On/Roll-Off Carrier and manned in all licensed positions by AMO.

“AMO is proud to be part of ARC’s plans to bring one of the largest and most versatile commercial RO/ROs into the U.S. fleet,” said AMO National President Tom Bethel. “We welcome the new jobs and the opportunity to set another benchmark in U.S.-flag shipping.”

The Endurance will replace the ARC car carrier Liberty in the Maritime Security Program. The Liberty will remain under U.S.-flag and is currently operating under a Military Sealift Command charter.

The M/V Endurance was delivered by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in December 1996. The ship is a unique RO/RO and is among the largest such vessels in the world at 860 feet in length. The Endurance has nine decks that can be configured to carry over 260,000 square feet of high and heavy cargo – such as CH-47s, MRAPs, MATVs, tracked vehicles, construction equipment and generators – 130,000 square feet of additional high-side vehicle (SUV) space, and approximately 200 containers. The ship’s quarter ramp weight capacity of 320 tons exceeds that of any vessel in the U.S.-flag commercial fleet.