ARC adds 8th U.S.-flag ro-ro ship to fleet

American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier Group has brought the vessel Liberty into the American registry, making it the eighth U.S.-flag roll-on/roll-off ship in its fleet.    American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier Group (ARC) has added an eighth U.S.-flag roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) ship to its fleet.
   The ship, formerly the Topeka, was reflagged to American registry and renamed the Liberty on Tuesday. The U.S. Coast Guard oversaw the reflagging at the German port of Bremerhaven, company officials said.
   The Liberty will be enrolled in the U.S. Maritime Security Program and the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement. 
   Woodcliff Lake, N.J.-based ARC said the Liberty is “among the most capable and militarily-useful vessels in the U.S.-flag commercial fleet, able to carry tracked vehicles, helicopters, trucks and other military and high and heavy project cargoes.”
   ARC is the largest U.S.-flag ro-ro carrier and the third largest U.S.-flag carrier operating in international trade.