About Us

About Us

THE INDUSTRY'S LARGEST U.S. FLAG CARRIER

U.S. Ocean, LLC is America’s number one U.S. flag heavylift carrier.

US Ocean provides global transportation and logistics solutions for the movement of military, humanitarian aid, breakbulk, and project cargoes. The company operates the largest and youngest fleet of multi-purpose vessels flying the U.S. Flag, with an average vessel age of less than 10 years. US Ocean’s self-sustaining fleet is comprised of six vessels with diverse capabilities that include: Lift On/Lift Off, Roll On/Roll Off, Float On/Float Off and heavylift capacities of up to 900 MT.

All of the vessels in the fleet are shallow-draft and several of the vessels are ice classed and polar code compliant allowing for operations in austere environments. Sprinkler fitted holds enable the carriage of IMO cargoes on and under deck, yet the boxed shape of the holds also offers the flexibility needed for the carriage of various types of dry bulk, as well as oversized and overweight breakbulk cargoes. Five of the company’s six vessels are enrolled in the Maritime Security Program (MSP). The fleet trades worldwide and has called more than 85 countries reaching every continent, including Antarctica.

WHEN DOES CARGO HAVE TO BE SHIPPED ON U.S. FLAGGED VESSELS?

Cargoes requiring ocean carriage that are funded, either directly or indirectly, with federal funds must be carried on U.S. flag vessels. U.S. flag vessels are vessels that are registered under the laws of the United States.

The statutes and regulations mandating U.S. flag ocean carriage of U.S. government financed cargoes are referred to as cargo preference requirements. U.S. government financing of cargoes can take the form of a federal grant, guaranty or other direct or indirect funding provided by U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or programs.

THE CARGO PREFERENCE STATUTES INCLUDE:

  • CARGO PREFERENCE ACT OF 1954 (amended in 2008). 46 U.S.C. §55305
  • MILITARY CARGO PREFERENCE ACT OF 1904. 10 U.S.C. §2631 et seq.
  • PUBLIC RESOLUTION (PR)-17: Exports Financed by the United States. PR-17 has been codified in the US Code at 46 U.S.C. §55304

Cargo preference requirements are administered by the United States Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Office. Congress designated MARAD as the federal authority for cargo preference compliance and has authorized civil penalties for non-compliance with cargo preference laws.

THE U.S. FLAG CARRIER WITH THE MOST EXPERIENCE

U.S. Ocean, LLC provides worldwide ocean transportation of heavylift, project, breakbulk, hazardous, and other cargoes. The group offers the largest fleet of multi-purpose vessels flying the U.S. flag and provides transportation solutions for government impelled and other cargo.

The Company’s versatile fleet trades worldwide, and has called more than 85 countries reaching every continent, including Antarctica. Serving shippers with U.S. Flag cargoes for more than a decade, U.S. Ocean has more experience than any other U.S. Flag project carrier.

CALLING ALL PORTS WORLDWIDE