USNS Carson City Arrives in Port Sudan

The Military Sealift Command (MSC) expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Carson City (EPF 7) arrived in Port Sudan, Sudan for a port visit, Feb. 24, 2021, the U.S. Navy 6th fleet announced with a press release.

This is the first U.S. Navy ship visit to Sudan since the creation of U.S. Africa Command, and highlights U.S. engagement that strives to build a partnership with the Sudanese Armed Forces.

Carson City’s visit follows the visit by U.S. Africa Command’s Deputy Commander for Civil-Military Engagement, Ambassador Andrew Young, and Director of Intelligence, Rear Adm. Heidi Berg, Jan. 25-27, which fostered cooperative engagement and expanded partnership development.

Prior to the port visit to Sudan, Carson City operated in the Red Sea. Carson City’s presence in the Red Sea helps promote peace, security, and freedom of the seas and is a demonstration of the U.S. commitment to maritime security and stability in the region. Russia also plans to build a naval base in Sudan.

“This ship’s presence visit to Port Sudan is a demonstration of our commitment to strengthening the relationship between the United States and Sudan as the Sudanese people seek a democratic future,” said U.S. Embassy Khartoum Chargé d’Affaires, Brian Shukan. “This visit in turn helps to promote peace, security, and preserve freedom of the seas.”

Like all EPFs, Carson City conducts overseas operations, and supports logistics and humanitarian aid. The ship is crewed by nearly 35 U.S. Navy Sailors and civil service mariners.

MSC operates approximately 125 naval auxiliary civilian-crewed ships, replenishes U.S. Navy ships, strategically prepositions combat cargo at sea, and moves military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners around the world.

USNS Carson City

USNS Carson City (T-EPF-7), (formerly JHSV-7), (ex-Courageous) is the seventh Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport, currently in service with the Military Sealift Command. She is the second ship in naval service named after Carson City, Nevada.

Austal USA built Carson City in Mobile, Alabama. The ship was christened at the Austal USA shipyards in Mobile on 16 January 2016.

Carson City is a shallow draft aluminum catamaran with a flight deck for helicopter operations and a loading ramp to quickly enable vehicles to drive on and off the ship. The ramp is designed to accommodate the limited piers, and quay walls often encountered in developing countries. Like her sister ships, Carson City has a shallow-draft of 3.83 meters (12.6 ft) and can reach speeds up to 45 knots (83 km/h; 52 mph).