Huge US sealift expected

Dec 28, 2003
Author: P&S

One of the largest ever sealifts by the United States is expected to get underway early in January when hundreds of thousands of tonnes of cargo will be moved into the Middle East and Gulf region over the next six months.

In addition about 14,000 containers will be returned to the United States from the Gulf area.

According to informed reports the sealift will involve up to 300 ships including most of the US Military Sealift Command (MSC) LMSR (large, medium-speed, roll-on, roll-off) pre-positioning vessels stationed at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

Other commercially operated ships under the command will have a 12-man detachment of US military personnel on board for security purposes. The MSC has indicated that it may be necessary to supplement navy personnel on board some navy vessels with merchant navy seafarers.