Matson’s Aloha Class Newbuilding Arrives in Honolulu

The US-based container shipping company Matson has welcomed the first of its four new ships that will be introduced in the company’s Hawaii service over the next two years.

Named in honor of Hawaii’s late senior US Senator, the Daniel K. Inouye is the largest containership ever built in the United States, according to Matson.

Christened in June, the newbuilding was delivered to its owner at Philly Shipyard in late October 2018.

Weighing in at over 51,400 metric tons, the 3,600 TEU vessel is Matson’s largest ship and also its fastest, with a top speed of more than 23 knots.

As informed, the arrival of Daniel K. Inouye also marks the beginning of a nearly USD 1 billion investment by Matson in its Hawaii service over the next few years, with the four new ships completing a renewal of its Hawaii fleet, and a terminal expansion and modernization project at its Sand Island facility in Honolulu.

All four new vessels have been designed by Matson specifically for its Hawaii service and incorporate a number of green ship technology features that will help protect the environment, including a more fuel efficient hull design, dual fuel engines that can be adapted to use LNG, environmentally safe double hull fuel tanks and fresh water ballast systems.

“These new ships are the future for Hawaii shipping and will bring a new level of efficiency and reliability to our service,” Matt Cox, chairman and chief executive officer, said.

“The substantial investment in new technology underscores Matson’s long-term commitment to Hawaii,” Cox added.