American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier (ARC) has been in the maritime business for more than 35 years and is the largest U.S.-flag RoRo operator. Originally based in northern New Jersey, ARC looked for relocation options to capitalize on the opportunities offered by port cities in the Southeast.

“When we made the decision to relocate our corporate headquarters, we started heading south and looking at cities like Charleston and Charlotte before coming to Jacksonville,” said Chuck Diorio. “We had always been familiar with Jacksonville given its proximity to Brunswick, one of our largest ports, and the more we learned, the more we realized it was a strategic fit for us.”

The Jacksonville region has always been recognized for its strong transportation and logistics ecosystem and ARC understood the importance of being among companies like Tote, Landstar, Suddath, Trailer Bridge, CSX, and Crowley, both for talent development as well as industry collaboration. ARC relocated about 80% of its staff from New Jersey along with core corporate functions like finance, operations, and human resources. Since establishing its presence in Ponte Vedra in 2021, ARC has expanded its team by 10-20 people and has long-term plans to double the size of the company.

“Being close to Jacksonville’s military has also been beneficial since we do a lot of work for the Department of Defense,” added Diorio. “Our access to experienced talent along with JAXPORT’s role as a strategic seaport – meaning it’s one of only 17 approved ports for moving military cargo – gives us a great ability to assist the military.”

In addition to its business endeavors, ARC has actively engaged with the local community through various initiatives, including partnerships with organizations such as Operation New Uniform and the St Johns County Chamber of Commerce and involvement in industry associations like the National Defense Transportation Association, Propeller Club, and Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association.

As ARC continues to thrive in the Jacksonville region, the company is confident about the area’s growth opportunities and its role as a prominent player in the maritime space. With a steadfast commitment to growth and community involvement, ARC is poised to leave a lasting impact on Northeast Florida’s evolving transportation and logistics landscape.