Liberty Global Logistics LLC (LGL) said its newest U.S.-flag Roll-On/Roll-Off (RO/RO) vessel, the M/V Liberty Peace, has commenced service. The flag of the vessel was transferred from Norwegian flag by the captain of the M/V NOCC Baltic to Jeffrey M. Raider, the U.S. Captain of the vessel.
The M/V Liberty Peace was delivered to its owners in March 2017. The pure car/truck carrier (PCTC) will proceed to the U.S. West Coast to load cargo, then continue westbound across the Pacific to destinations in the Far East and Middle East.
The vessel was designed to transport commercial vehicles, rolling stock and project cargo, as well as military wheeled and containerized equipment such as M-ATVs, HUMVEEs, MRAPs, armored personnel carriers, tanks, helicopters and unit equipment. When used to carry commercial cargoes, the vessel is capable of carrying up to approximately 6,500 cars on 12 decks and has a total deck area of approximately 580,000 square feet.
The vessel will be crewed by U.S. citizens with the officers represented by the American Maritime Officers and the unlicensed crew members represented by the Seafarers International Union.
Philip J. Shapiro, Chairman and CEO of LGL, said, “We are very proud to welcome the M/V Liberty Peace to the LGL fleet joining the M/V Liberty Promise, M/V Liberty Pride and M/V Liberty Passion in providing worldwide service to U.S. armed forces and LGL’s commercial customers.”
Robert G. Wellner, President of LGL, said, “We are looking forward to having our newly expanded RO/RO service with four modern U.S.-flag PCTC vessels which will increase our ability to serve both our government and commercial customers in the global marketplace.”