US Maritime Administration awards $6.2b for management of Ready Reserve Force ships

US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has confirmed that the US Maritime Administration (MARAD) has signed 20 contracts totaling US$6.2 billion for the management of its Ready Reserve Force (RRF).

The RRF, through MARAD, provides strategic sealift support for the rapid deployment of US military forces and equipment during conflicts, crises, and emergencies.

“Our contracts with seven ship managers will ensure the fleet stays ready, reliable, and responsive,” said MARAD Acting Administrator Sang Yi. “MARAD has a tremendous responsibility to maintain the RRF so that during critical military, humanitarian, and natural disaster operations, Americans can rely on these vessels for logistics support.”

The 51 RRF vessels referenced in the contracts include Ro-Ro vessels, auxiliary crane ships, and aviation maintenance vessels.

The 10-year contracts cover maintenance, repair, logistics support, activation, operation, deactivation, crewing, and management of 51 MARAD RRF vessels, ensuring they are ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.

MARAD-owned, contractor-operated vessels are maintained in a high state of readiness and can be activated within five days for worldwide deployment.

Ships in priority readiness are staffed in reduced operating status, with maintenance crews of about 10 merchant mariners. Once activated, these crews are supplemented by additional mariners as needed.