Matson takes delivery of largest US-built containership

Matson Christening B1157d89

The following is text of a news release from Matson:

(PHILADELPHIA) — Matson Inc., a leading U.S. carrier in the Pacific, took delivery Wednesday of the first of two new Aloha-class containerships built for Matson's Hawaii service at Philly Shipyard.

Christened Daniel K. Inouye in honor of Hawaii's late senior U.S. senator, the vessel is the largest containership ever built in the United States. Weighing in at over 51,400 metric tons, the 850-foot-long and 3,600-TEU capacity Daniel K. Inouye is Matson's largest ship and also its fastest, with a top speed in excess of 23 knots.

"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, Calif., via the Panama Canal on Wednesday, Nov. 7 before entering commercial service on Nov. 22. After a port call at Long Beach, the new vessel will make its first call at Honolulu on the morning of Nov. 28.

More information on Daniel K. Inouye and Matson's fleet modernization program is available at www.Matson.com.

By Professional Mariner Staff