“As the top U.S. port for handling roll on/roll off cargo, the Port of Baltimore welcomes the Tonsberg,” said Maryland Port Administration Executive Director James J. White. “Our consistent success in roll on/roll off cargo over the years has been due to many factors including: our unique geographic location as the closest East Coast port to the Midwest where a lot of roll on/roll off equipment is manufactured; our industry-renowned quality program; two on-dock rail lines; and experienced and outstanding labor. Roll on/roll off is one of our key commodities and generates good-paying, family-supporting jobs.”
The Tonsberg, which called on the Port’s Dundalk and Fairfield marine terminals, is part of the Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics Mark V design line built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The vessel’s deadweight is 74,622 gross tons. It is 869 feet in length and its width is 106 feet. The vessel can accommodate up to 10,000 autos but is made to accommodate a mix of cars, heavy equipment, and breakbulk cargo.
The Tonsberg will use 15 to 20 percent less fuel per transported unit than its predecessors because of the optimized hull form and a number of energy saving features. The ship is flagged from Malta and operates a round-the-world service.
