MV Cape Hudson Docks in Indonesia for Super Garuda Shield 24 Offload

The vessel began its journey from its home base in San Francisco. It made stops in Tacoma, Wash.; Honolulu; and Japan before reaching Banyuwangi, Indonesia.

Super Garuda Shield, a significant multinational exercise in the Indo-Pacific, strengthens the U.S.-Indonesia Major Defense Partnership Defense Cooperation Agreement. It promotes a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“This is not a typical commercial route,” said contracted mariner Benjamin Day, ship’s master, MV Cape Hudson. “We started on the West Coast of the U.S., then Hawaii and Japan, bringing equipment to Banyuwangi, Indonesia for Super Garuda Shield.”

The U.S. Army’s 835th Transportation Battalion, 599th Transportation Brigade, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) from Okinawa, Japan, oversaw the offload in Indonesia.

Within two days, the ship unloaded about 313 pieces of equipment and containers, which were staged at the marshalling area for onward movement to the training area.

Thanks to MSC, SDDC, and Banyuwangi port officials, all gear was offloaded as scheduled.

Cape Hudson is a 750-foot-long roll-on, roll-off container vessel with four decks. Its 186,000 sq. ft. cargo space can hold roughly 38,000 tons of cargo. It is part of the Cape H-class, including MVs Cape Horn and Cape Henry.

Despite its size, its low draft allows access to smaller ports, making it ideal for such missions.

Benjamin Day, with over six years of experience on Cape H-class ships, noted, “These ships differ from commercial container ships. The cargo is unique, requiring different lashing techniques and skills.”

Cape Hudson is part of the Ready Reserve Force fleet, within the Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) National Defense Reserve Fleet, ready to support U.S. military deployments.

A Tactical Advisor (TACAD), Lt. j.g. Alexa Lumpkin, was assigned to Cape Hudson. TACADs, typically Strategic Sealift Officers (SSOs), act as liaisons between military higher headquarters and the ship’s crew.

“I ensure the vessel’s safe travel from point A to B and maintain communication with higher headquarters,” said Lumpkin. “I also provide contested-maritime-environment training.”

Lumpkin, serving her fourth TACAD mission, enjoys the role. “As a mate, port time is limited, but as a TACAD, I engage in missions and work with diverse personnel,” she said.

Furthermore, MSC deployed a three-member Reserve-component team from various Reserve Expeditionary Port Units (EPU) in the U.S. to assist with port operations.

“We facilitate MSC and SDDC’s offload of Cape Hudson, liaising between the ship, port authorities, and SDDC,” said Quartermaster Chief Joshua Vest, senior enlisted leader, EPU 112. “Safety procedures and timely operations are our priorities.”

Vest highlighted that EPUs are critical as they provide expertise in varied situations. “Their role is indispensable and often underappreciated,” he said.

The MARAD website indicates RFF provides nearly 50% of government-owned surge sealift capability.

MSC Far East supports the U.S. 7th Fleet, ensuring around 50 ships in the Indo-Pacific Region are manned, trained, and equipped to deliver essential supplies and equipment. The 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed fleet and collaborates with allies to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.

In 2024, MSC celebrates its 75th anniversary, supporting joint warfighters across military operations, with a workforce comprising approximately 6,000 Civil Service Mariners, 1,100 contract mariners, supported by 1,500 shore staff, and 1,400 active duty and Reserve military personnel.