USDOT Strengthens Economic Supply Chain and Defense Operations

The US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces full enrollment for its Maritime Security Program (MSP) and Tanker Security Program (TSP). Both programs provide the Department of Defense (DoD) with access to a fleet of US-flagged sustainment sealift vessels and product tankers for use during times of armed conflict or national emergency.

The programs strengthen the US supply chain while creating good-paying jobs.

“In peacetime, our US-flagged commercial fleet serves as a critical link in our supply chain; and in times of war and crisis, it supports military missions around the globe,” said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “In the years ahead, these vessels will deliver vital goods, strengthen both our economy and our national security, and create good jobs for American mariners.”

The newly selected MSP vessels LIBERTY POWER and TULANE operate under Liberty Global Logistics, LLC of Lake Success, N.Y. and Fidelio Limited Partnership of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., respectively. The US-flagged LIBERTY POWER is a twelve-year-old roll-on roll-off vessel (RO/RO), with 220,586 square feet of militarily useful cargo capacity and the TULANE is an eleven-year-old RO/RO vessel with 194,665 square feet of militarily useful cargo capacity. The TULANE is scheduled to reflag under US registry by the end of this year and will be renamed the ARC HONOR.

The final product tanker selected for TSP is the PYXIS EPSILON under US Marine Management, LLC of Norfolk, VA. The eight-year-old, 325,000 barrel tanker is scheduled to reflag under US registry by the end of this year and will be renamed the SHENANDOAH TRADER.

“MSP and TSP accomplish two key maritime sealift objectives: both grow our US-flagged commercial fleet to benefit the US economy, and both sustain our ability to deliver vital supplies to support military missions across the globe,” said Maritime Administrator Ann Phillips. “MSP has been a success story for the US maritime industry for over 27 years. MSP, together with its sister program TSP, will support US economic competitiveness globally, and ensure US armed forces have unquestioned logistics access anywhere in the world. The award of these three final Operating Agreements will ensure the programs’ continued success and value to the United States.”

The MSP was established in 1996, to strengthen the US supply chain by ensuring a viable presence for the US-flag Merchant Marine in international trade while creating good-paying jobs both afloat and ashore. The program now supports a fleet of 60 commercial ships operating internationally. The recently established TSP supports a fleet of 10 commercial product tankers operating internationally and capable of loading, transporting, and storing on-station bulk petroleum refined products to support national economic security and DoD contingency requirements.

“These vessels are pivotal in enhancing global readiness and safeguarding our nation's supply chains. Both MSP and TSP underscore our steadfast commitment to national security and economic stability and exemplifies the indispensable partnership between MARAD and USTRANSCOM,” said Commander of US Transportation Command, Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost. Both programs help address the shortage of both US-flag ships and US Coast Guard-credentialed Mariners with unlimited licenses.

Additional MSP and TSP facts and program point of contact information can be found here.