US-based multimodal transport and logistics provider, Liberty Global Logistics (LGL), is starting a monthly ro-ro service for used vehicles between the US East Coast and the Middle East, with the first sailing to take place on July 27.

The service will run from the port of Providence in Rhode Island, to ports in the Middle East including those at Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, Libya, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Iraq and Kuwait. The service will also call at Pakistan and India.

It is the first shipping service to the Middle East region from Providence.

The M/V Glovis Composer will take the first consignment of 300 used vehicles, but Liberty Global Logisics has said it expected business to grow rapidly and become a fortnightly service within a year. LGL also owns four dedicated pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs).

Ports America will provide terminal and stevedoring services for the vehicles at Providence, which currently only handles used vehicles.

Ports America is the largest independent marine terminal operator and stevedore company in the US, operating in 42 ports. Its other ro-ro customers at Providence include Eukor and Hoëgh Autoliners. It has also worked with LGL at the North East Auto Terminal in Jersey City, New Jersey, at the port of New York/New Jersey.

As well as passenger vehicles, Ports America is able to handle container, bulk, breakbulk, project and military cargo.