The elusive ship built to carry US special operators is in the Caribbean
The MV Ocean Trader, a floating barracks, helicopter base and command center for special ops forces, is currently operating in the Caribbean.
Jeff Schogol, Patty Nieberg
Published Sep 25, 2025 6:07 PM EDT
A vessel that has been described as a special operations mothership is currently deployed to the Caribbean, Task & Purpose has confirmed.
A Military Sealift Command spokesperson confirmed to Task & Purpose that the MV Ocean Trader is currently operating in the Caribbean. The official deferred questions about its mission to U.S. Special Operations Command, which declined to comment.
Naval experts told Task & Purpose that the U.S. has a history of using commercial ships like the MV Ocean Trader as part of special operations missions. U.S. military officials have not said publicly exactly what the ship’s current mission in the Caribbean is.
Formerly named the MV Cragside, the transformation of the MV Ocean Trader from a commercial roll-on/roll-off cargo ship to a vessel fit for special operations missions has been tracked through rigorous reporting from The War Zone. Over the years, the publication has followed the ship’s movements from port calls in Seychelles and a dry dock in Oman.
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/mv-ocean-trader-caribbean/
