First Aloha Class Vessel Delivered to Matson

U.S. carrier Matson has taken delivery of the first of two new Aloha Class containerships built at Philly Shipyard.

The new vessel, named Daniel K. Inouye, was handed over to its owner on October 31. Matson said that it is the largest containership ever built in the United States so far.

Weighing in at over 51,400 metric tons, the 850-foot long and 3,600 TEU capacity Daniel K. Inouye was built for Matson’s Hawaii service.

“This new ship, our fifth delivered by Philly Shipyard, is the product of a great partnership with the Philly team in designing and constructing a new class of containership that will set a new standard for cargo delivery in the Hawaii trade,” said Ron Forest, President of Matson.

The ship will embark on its 5,298-mile, 13-day maiden voyage to Oakland, California via the Panama Canal on November 7 before entering commercial service on November 22.

After a port call at Long Beach, the new vessel will make its first call at Honolulu on the morning of November 28.