Carrier Matson Christens LNG-fueled Containership

US Carrier Matson said July 2 it had christened its new LNG-fueled containership, the Daniel K. Inouye, at the Philly Shipyard in Philadelphia. The vessel, weighing in at some 51,400 metric tons and with 3,600-TEU capacity, is the largest ever built at an American shipyard.

“This new vessel, designed specifically to serve Hawaii and built with LNG-compatible engines, is the next generation of vessel and sets a new standard for cargo transportation in Hawaii,” Matson CEO Matt Cox said at the June 30 christening ceremony. “It also symbolizes Matson's continuing commitment to serving our island home in the most efficient, effective and environmentally sound way into the future.”

The vessel, named in honour of Hawaii’s late senior US senator, is the first of two being built for Honolulu-based Matson at the American yard of Norway’s Philly Shipyard at a total cost of some $418mn for the pair, with the second scheduled for completion in 1Q 2019. It was christened by Inouye’s widow, Irene Hirano Inouye.

As Matson's first “Aloha Class” containership, Daniel K. Inouye incorporates the latest environmentally-friendly technology, including dual fuel engines that can be adapted to use LNG, double hull fuel tanks, fresh water ballast systems and a more fuel-efficient hull design. It will also be the fastest in Matson’s fleet, with a top speed of nearly 24 knots ensuring on-time deliveries to Hawaii from Matson’s three west coast terminals at Seattle, Oakland and Long Beach.

(Banner image courtesy Matson)