Baltimore, MD – May 7, 2026 – American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier (ARC) successfully completed the delivery of a second Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) for the Hudson Tunnel Project (HTP), marking another major milestone in one of the nation’s most critical passenger rail initiatives. ARC previously delivered the first HTP TBM in January 2026 aboard the M/V Endurance.
The TBM components were discharged at the Port of Baltimore after being transported aboard the ARC Independence. The cargo was loaded in Zeebrugge, Belgium, following manufacture by Herrenknecht, a global market leader in tunnel boring technology based in Germany.
Both machines will be used to construct a new two-track rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River, as well as support the rehabilitation of the existing North River Tunnels — an essential rail link between New Jersey and Manhattan that has been in service for over a century. Once operational, the two TBMs will work in tandem, simultaneously excavating the new tunnel tubes.
“The Hudson Tunnel Project is a vital investment in the resilience of the Northeast Corridor,” said Chris Barber, ARC Group Senior Director, Cargo Preference Sales. “ARC’s end-to-end logistics capabilities ensure that critical project components move seamlessly from origin to job site, keeping major infrastructure timelines like these on track. As a U.S.-flag Ro-Ro carrier, ARC is proud to deliver oversized and mission-critical cargo that supports infrastructure projects essential to the nation’s economic security.”
The Hudson Tunnel Project will create approximately nine miles of new passenger rail track between New York and New Jersey, including a new, two-tube tunnel under the Hudson River. In parallel, the project will rehabilitate the 116-year-old North River Tunnels, which opened for service in 1910 and sustained extensive damage during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
Designated as a critical and urgent infrastructure investment, the HTP will significantly improve reliability and capacity along the Northeast Corridor rail line, which stretches from Boston to Washington, D.C., and serves hundreds of thousands of daily passengers.
In May 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation approved construction of the new tunnels, often referred to as the Gateway Tunnels. The new tunnels are scheduled to open in 2035, with rehabilitation of the existing tunnels expected to be completed by 2038.
ARC’s role in the Hudson Tunnel Project underscores the importance of U.S.-flag shipping in delivering the specialized, heavy, and time-sensitive cargo required to build and modernize the nation’s most complex infrastructure. Specifically rated for cargo loads up to 240 metric tons, the ARC Independence is equipped with oversized drive lanes and door clearances that support the efficient roll-on/roll-off transport of tunnel boring machine components.
Virtual Tour of the Hudson Tunnel Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slP5zyoLpk4&t=254s
About ARC
ARC provides government services including global logistics and shipping services. ARC and its U.S. affiliates own and manage the largest U.S.-flag Ro-Ro fleet. This includes providing American-owned, managed, and crewed Ro-Ro shipping and intermodal services committed to the requirements of the Department of Defense, other U.S. Government departments and agencies, and commercial customers.
For further information, please visit www.arcshipping.com.
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