SIU members are sailing aboard the newly reflagged ARC Endeavor, which entered the U.S. registry Sept. 27 in Baltimore.
“On behalf of the entire union, I credit ARC for their ongoing commitment to our industry,” stated SIU President David Heindel. “I am as confident as always that SIU members will do excellent work aboard the newly reflagged vessel.”
Operated by TOTE Services for American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier, the ARC Endeavor is the tenth U.S.-flag roll-on roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessel in ARC’s fleet. The reflag was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard.
“ARC has consistently invested in new tonnage and this latest Ro-Ro is the ninth ship we have brought into the American fleet since 2016. ARC Endeavor further strengthens ARC’s position as a leading logistics company and the largest U.S.- flag Ro-Ro carrier,” said ARC President and CEO Eric Ebeling. “We are proud that this investment will also enable us to grow our talented team, hiring more captains, mates, engineers, mariners and more to crew these critical vessels. And, a thank you to Captain Pat Burkett and the entire Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region team for the exceptional support during the reflag.”
The ARC Endeavor is the fifth ship in the company’s fleet that is categorized as a Large Car Truck Carrier (LCTC). Buit in 2011 in South Korea and formerly sailing as the Tugela, the vessel measures 754 feet in length with a 21-foot-high stern opening and a stern ramp rated for cargo weighing up to 320 tons. In terms of car-equivalent units, the ARC Endeavor can carry more than 7,500 vehicles at once.
American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier Group Senior Vice President Chris Heibel said, “The M/V ARC Endeavor will be among the most capable and militarily useful vessels in the U.S.-flag commercial fleet, able to carry tracked and wheeled vehicles, aviation assets (including CH 47 Chinooks and V 22 Ospreys), and other high and heavy project cargoes.”
Willie Barrere, president of the Seafarers-affiliated American Maritime Officers, said, “Congratulations to ARC on another addition to their superb fleet of vessels. AMO appreciates our outstanding working relationship with ARC and its service to our nation’s armed forces, and we look forward to continuing our partnership and growing together in the future.”
ARC is the largest U.S.-flag Ro-Ro operator and is actively supporting America’s national defense through the Maritime Security Program and Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement.
Among the first SIU members to sail aboard the ARC Endeavor were Bosun Vladimir Baez, ABs Ningning Li and Saif Obad, STOSs John Davis and Brandon Haffner, Oilers Peter Espinosa, Rubenia Flores and James Tolan, Steward/Baker Marquisha Simmons, Chief Cook Tahisha Watson, and SA Nelson Sanabria Gonzalez.
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