SERVICE: Navy (Military Sealift Command)
DESCRIPTION: Large, fast cargo vessels
FEATURES:
Fast sealift ships provide rapid surge shipping capability for bulky, oversized military equipment such as tanks, armored vehicles and helicopters needed overseas in time of war. All eight ships combined can carry the equivalent of a full Army mechanized division.BACKGROUND:
Fast sealift ships are almost as large as aircraft carriers; yet can exceed 30 knots, making them among the fastest cargo ships in the world. These former commercial container ships were purchased in the 1980s and converted to include roll-on/roll-off ramps, additional lift capability and emergency helicopter landing pads. These ships are berthed at East Coast and Gulf ports. All are normally kept in reduced operating status and can be activated and ready for loading in 96 hours. The ships are crewed by U.S. merchant mariners employed by ship operating companies under contract to MSC.
