Maritime Security Program (MSP) and the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA); both are important programs designed to support the Department of Defense in its sustainment of U.S. military forces to ensure the fleet is prepared in the event that emergency deployment is needed. Farrell Lines International Farrell Lines International owned by Farrell Lines Inc. was a Liberian Company with offices at the Farrell House, Monrovia, Liberia. It existed from the 1950s until the First Liberian Civil War, which started in 1988. The Company's Feeder Fleet operated four coastal vessels registered in Liberia. Three were designed by Sparkman & Stevens and built by the John H. Mathis & Company, Camden, New Jersey. They were the M/V Kpo, M/V Farmington and the M/V Cestos built in the 1950s by John H. Mathis & Company, Shipbuilders. The M/V Cavalla was a converted U. S. Navy landing ship. They were delivered to Africa on their own bottoms which took approximately thirty days. These ships were designed to have good seagoing qualities and maneuverability so that they could cross a dangerous bar on their regular run. The Officers were licensed and the crew well trained to navigate the coastal waters and rivers of West Africa. These ships brought supplies to the Firestone Natural Rubber plantation in Harbel, Liberia, as well as cargo to be flown inland by the Liberian National Airways at Robert's Field. Since she had cargo handling gear, the M/V Kpo also made regular runs to other undeveloped ports including Cape Palmas. On their return to Monrovia they carried baled rubber as well as latex for trans-shipment to the United States. Having been a Harbor Pilot for the Port of Monrovia and the Captain of ships in the Farrell Feeder Fleet, I have first hand knowledge of these facts. Additional resources include Sparkman & Stevens designs 864 and 920 and the John H. Mathis & Co. Shipbuilders web site. Current fleet The Farrell Line fleet currently consists of three pure car/truck carriers built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd. In February 2010, Farrell Lines expanded its U.S. flag fleet with larger vessels to meet customers' growing demand. The Alliance Beaumont and Alliance Charleston, which have adjustable deck configurations to optimize space and maximize militarily useful stowage, joined the Alliance St. Louis and Alliance Norfolk. The Alliance Beaumont and Alliance Charleston went to Leif Höegh & Co to the fleet of Höegh