Cape Ducato-class vehicle cargo ship

The Cape Ducato class are five roll-on/roll-off vehicle cargo ships of the United States Navy used to rapidly transport US military unit equipment such as tanks, helicopters, wheeled vehicles and other heavy equipment, to support deployed forces worldwide.

Cape Ducato (T-AKR-5051) in 1991
Class overview
Builders	Eriksbergs MV AB, Sweden Ateliers et Chantiers de France
Operators	United States Navy Military Sealift Command
Built	1971–1973
In service	1985–present
Completed	5
Active	5
General characteristics
Type	Vehicle cargo ship
Displacement	13,220 long tons (13,432 t) light 34,617 long tons (35,172 t) full
Length	681 ft (207.6 m)
Beam	97 ft (29.6 m)
Draft	37 ft (11.3 m)
Propulsion	Diesel engines, single shaft
Speed	16.2 knots (30.0 km/h; 18.6 mph)
Complement	9 (Reduced Operational Status) 27 (Full Operational Status)

Built by Eriksbergs MV AB of Sweden and the Ateliers et Chantiers de France between 1971 and 1973, the ships served commercially before being purchased by the United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) in late 1985 from the Barber Steamship Company.

All five ships are currently berthed at Charleston, South Carolina^[1] as part of the Ready Reserve Force (RRF) in Reduced Operational Status "ROS-5", which allows for a transition to full operating status within five days^[2] under the Military Sealift Command.

Ships

• MV Cape Ducato (T-AKR-5051). Laid down in 1972, as MV Barranduna by Eriksbergs MV, Sweden. Acquired by MARAD, 18 November 1985.^[3]
• MV Cape Douglas (T-AKR-5052). Laid down, c. 1972–1973, as MV Lalandia by Eriksbergs, Sweden. Purchased from Barber Steamship Co. by MARAD, 11 November 1985.^[4]
• MV Cape Domingo (T-AKR-5053). Laid down in 1971–1972, as MV Tarago by Ateliers et Chantiers de France. Purchased from Barber Steamship Co. by MARAD, 28 October 1985.^[5]
• MV Cape Decision (T-AKR-5054). Laid down in 1972 as MV Tombarra at Eriksbergs MV AB, Sweden. Purchased from Barber Steamship Co. by MARAD, 10 October 1985.^[6]
• MV Cape Diamond (T-AKR-5055). Laid down in 1972 as MV Tricolor by Ateliers et Chantiers de France. Purchased from Barber Steamship Co. by MARAD, 16 October 1985.^[7]

Service history

In 1998, after Hurricane Mitch, Cape Ducato was one of several ships that transported construction materials to Nicaragua.^[8]

In March 2003 Cape Ducato and Cape Douglas were part of a six ship force ferrying part of the 4th Infantry Division to join the Iraq War.^[8]

All five ships of the class were activated in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.^[8]