American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier

American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier is an American shipping line specialized in Roll-on/roll-off worldwide sea carriage, integrated global logistics, and data technology solutions.

American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier

Industry	Transport
Founded	1990
Headquarters	Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, U.S.
Website	www.arcshipping.com

Overview

ARC is the largest US-flag Roll-on/roll-off carrier, and the second largest US-flag shipping line overall operating in international trade.^[1]

The company was founded in 1990, and is presently headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida^[2] and it is part of Wilh. Wilhelmsen group, along with Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, EUKOR and United European Car Carriers. The company holds ten Maritime Security Program (MSP) contracts, the second largest MSP participant behind Maersk.

All ARC vessels participate in the Maritime Security Program (MSP)^[3] and Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA),^[4] providing to the US armed forces sea transportation from and to the US and Europe when the space on board is not utilized by commercial cargo.

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.

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.

Fleet

The ARC Fleet currently comprises ten oceangoing ROROs. All saw previous service with Wallenius-Wilhelmsen Lines before being reflagged into the United States Merchant Marine.

Vessels in the ARC Fleet as of 02 August 2025
Name	IMO#	Built	Reflagged (USMM)	Tonnage	Length Overall	Beam	Cargo Capacity	Picture
MV Endurance (ex-Taronga)	9121273	1996	2010	72,708 GT	264.6m (868.1 ft)	32.26m (105.8 ft)	4,923 CEU	Reserved for photograph.
MV ARC Resolve (ex-Otello)	9316141	2006	2019	61,260 GT	199m (653 ft)	32.26m (105.8 ft)	6,736 CEU	Reserved for photograph.
MV Patriot (ex-Aida)	9316139	2006	2016	60,979 GT	199m (653 ft)	32.26m (105.8 ft)	6,736 CEU	Reserved for photograph.
MV ARC Commitment (ex-Tiger)	9505039	2011	2021	74,255 GT	230.8m (757 ft)	32.26m (105.8 ft)	7,934 CEU	Reserved for photograph.
MV Liberty (ex-Topeka)	9310109	2006	2017	61,321 GT	199.99m (656.1 ft)	32.26m (105.8 ft)	6,354 CEU	Reserved for photograph.
MV ARC Independence (ex-Faust)	9332925	2007	2019	72,118 GT	227.8m (747 ft)	32.26m (105.8 ft)	7,620 CEU	Reserved for photograph.
MV ARC Integrity (ex-Fedora)	9332949	2008	2019	72,118 GT	227.8m (747 ft)	32.26m (105.8 ft)	7,620 CEU	Reserved for photograph.
MV ARC Honor (ex-Tulane)	9505089	2012	2024	72,295 GT	229.99m (754.6 ft)	32.26m (105.8 ft)	7,970 CEU	Reserved for photograph.
MV ARC Defender (ex-Tomar)	9375264	2008	2022	61,328 GT	199.99m (656.1 ft)	32.26m (105.8 ft)	6,354 CEU	Reserved for photograph.
MV ARC Endeavor (ex-Tugela)	9505065	2011	2024	72,295 GT	229.99m (754.6 ft)	32.26m (105.8 ft)	7,970 CEU	Reserved for photograph.

The following pairs of vessels are sister ships: MV ARC Resolve and MV Patriot, MV ARC Independence and MV ARC Integrity, and MV ARC Honor and MV ARC Endeavor.

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.^[5] 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.^[6] 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.^[7]

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.^[8]

See also

• EUKOR
• Nippon Yusen Kaisha
• Siem Shipping
• KESS - K Line Europe Short Sea
• United European Car Carriers

Gallery

Current Ships

• 
  M/V Endurance (built 1996)

Former Ships

• 
  M/V ARC Integrity (built 1992; fate unknown, likely scrapped, name reassigned)
• 
  M/V ARC Independence II (scrapped)
• 
  M/V ARC Resolve (built 1994, fate unknown, likely scrapped, name reassigned)
• 
  M/V Courage (built 1991, scrapped)
• 
  M/V Freedom (built 1997, fate unknown, likely scrapped)
• 
  M/V Patriot (built 1987, fate unknown, likely scrapped, name reassigned)
• 
  M/V Liberty (built 1985, fate unknown, likely scrapped, name reassigned)