![US Navy christens expeditionary fast transport Newport](http://media.assettype.com/bairdmaritime%2Fimport%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F191113-6-USN.jpg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
The US Navy christened its 12th Spearhead-class expeditionary fast trasport (EPF) at Austal USA's Alabama shipyard on Saturday, November 9.
The vessel has been named Newport in honour of the city of Newport, Rhode Island.
The 103-metre EPF will be capable of transporting 312 embarked troops and 540 tonnes of cargo up to 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots. It will also have a flight deck for helicopter operations and an off-load ramp that allows vehicles to quickly drive off the ship.