SIU members are sailing aboard the newest addition to the American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier (ARC) fleet: the ARC Honor.
Operated by Seafarers-contracted TOTE, the ARC Honor – formerly the M/V Tulane – was reflagged to American registry and renamed on Feb. 2 in the port of Incheon, Korea, with U.S. Coast Guard personnel on hand. It is the ninth roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel in ARC’s American-flag fleet, and is enrolled in the U.S. Maritime Security Program (MSP).
Bosun Kenneth Loria Zuniga, speaking as the ARC Honor prepared to depart on its first voyage from South Korea to the United States, said, “Everything is going well. We have a good crew and everyone seems happy. The ship is in good condition. Like any other vessel, there is work to do, but it’s good.”
The bosun described the re-flagging event as “very low-key,” and he also complimented the professionalism of the ship’s captain and officers, who are represented by the Seafarers-affiliated AMO.
In a news release, ARC said the new addition “will be among the most capable and militarily useful vessels in the U.S.-flag commercial fleet, able to carry tracked and wheeled vehicles, helicopters, and other high and heavy project cargoes. The vessel is 754 feet long with a 21-foot-high main deck and a stern ramp rated for cargo weighing up to 320 MT.”
The ship was built in 2012 in South Korea.
SIU President David Heindel stated, “The leadership team at ARC once again is demonstrating its commitment to our industry, to our mariners, and to our nation by bringing this vessel under the Stars and Stripes. The SIU has been with ARC from the beginning, and we’re excited about providing the crew for the ARC Honor.”
AMO National President Willie Barrere said, “The Maritime Security Program and the participating U.S. mariners and ships are crucial elements of our U.S. sealift strategy, our national defense, and commerce. AMO proudly joins our industry partners in welcoming the ARC Honor to our U.S.-flag fleet.”
ARC President and CEO Eric Ebeling noted, “This tremendously capable and flexible U.S.-flag ship is crewed by American merchant mariners and now operates in ARC’s global network supporting America’s national defense and economic security through trade.”
“Congratulations to American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier on bringing a new vessel into the U.S-flag fleet!” said U.S. Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips. “As a new addition to the Maritime Security Program, this ship and her crew of U.S. credentialed mariners will support our nation’s economic security and provide sealift capacity for our Armed Forces operating around the world.”
The first SIU members to sail aboard the ARC Honor included Bosun Loria Zuniga, ABs Alexis Dowdell, Martin Josephson and Carl Piercy, OSs Ningning Li and Lacorie Ray, Oilers Shagaryah Adams, Kwesi Andohkow and Reinaldo Fostanes, Steward/Baker Clark Williams, Chief Cook Rudy Oliva, and SA Diana Perez.
Created in 1996 via the enactment of the Maritime Security Act, the MSP fortified the military’s sealift capability in times of war or emergency by providing the Department of Defense access to dozens of U.S.- flag, U.S.-crewed commercial vessels (currently there are 60 ships in the MSP fleet). As repeatedly pointed out by program supporters, the capability provided by the MSP comes at a significantly lower cost to taxpayers than creating a permanent fleet of reserve government vessels to match it. The MSP also does not jeopardize the country’s readiness by depending on foreign-flag vessels, foreign crews and foreign shipping companies.
Moreover, as a testament to the program’s tremendous value, it has enjoyed military support as well as exceptional bipartisan backing since its inception.
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