Pasha Hawaii Cuts Steel for Second Vessel

Honolulu-based Pasha Hawaii today announced the MV Marjorie C’s first steel plate was cut, launching the official start of construction for the company’s second vessel. The steel was cut at VT Halter Marine’s shipyard in Pascagoula, MS. The Marjorie C is on schedule to deliver in the fall of 2013 when she will enter the Mainland/Hawaii trade lane. She will sail opposite Pasha Hawaii’s Pure Car Truck Carrier, MV Jean Anne, enabling Pasha to provide weekly service to Hawaii.

This is the second vessel built by VT Halter Marine for Pasha Hawaii based on a proven design by Uljanik Shipyard, Croatia. The Marjorie C will be a combination Container and Roll-On/Roll-Off Car Truck Carrier (ConRo) with the ability to carry 1,500 TEUs, above and under deck, as well as vehicles and over high and wide cargo on 10 workable decks. The 692 feet long vessel will have a vehicle shipping capacity of 2,750 units. The stern quarter ramp will be 39.4′ wide and 20.7′ high, and rated at up to 250 metric tons.

“We are very eager to take delivery of the Marjorie C, and cutting her steel ahead of schedule marks the first milestone in our construction journey,” said Pasha Hawaii’s President and CEO, George Pasha, IV. “The Marjorie C’s unique ConRo design represents a ‘first’ for the Jones Act trade, and I am very pleased to report that our design process is complete and we are now underway with construction.” George continues, “I want to recognize the efforts of the great team at VT Halter Marine, as well as the teams at Sea Technology and Uljanik, for their guidance and support in achieving this important first milestone.”

“We at VT Halter Marine are proud to have accomplished this significant milestone of the Marjorie C,” said Bill Skinner, CEO of VT Halter Marine. “She will be a great ship for a great company and we are very proud to be associated with Pasha Hawaii. We look forward to working with George IV and his fine team on this project and future vessels as they expand their fleet. We’re truly appreciative of this opportunity.”

The MV Marjorie C will be the second vessel to join Pasha Hawaii’s fleet, and will allow the company to provide weekly service between the West Coast and Hawaii. The ship’s base price is $144 million. The company also has an option agreement for the construction of a third vessel with a base price of $137 million.

The MV Jean Anne, Pasha’s first vessel, was put into service in March 2005 and was designated the “Ship of the Year” by American Ship Review that year. Now in her seventh year of service, she recently celebrated her 150th voyage. The Jean Anne, her crew and vessel operations have been recognized by the Chamber of Shipping of America with awards for outstanding safety and environmental achievement.

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Source: stengg, August 10, 2011.