Matson Christens First Aloha Class Vessel ‘Daniel K. Inouye’ at Philly Shipyard
Largest Containership Built in U.S. Will Serve Hawaii
Matson, Inc. (NYSE: MATX),
a leading U.S. carrier in the Pacific, and Philly Shipyard, Inc. (PSI),
the wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of Philly Shipyard ASA (Oslo: PHLY)
christened the largest containership ever built in the United States in
a ceremony at the Philly Shipyard on Saturday, June 30.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180702005936/en/
Ship sponsor, Irene Hirano Inouye, Senator Inouye's wife, christens the vessel by breaking a ceremonial bottle of champagne against the ship's hull. (Photo: Business Wire)
The new vessel is named ‘Daniel K. Inouye’ in honor of Hawaii’s
late senior U.S. Senator, who was a longstanding supporter of the U.S.
maritime industry and its important role in supporting Hawaii’s economy.
It is the first of two new ships being built for Honolulu-based Matson
by Philly Shipyard at a total cost of approximately $418 million for the
pair, and the first of four new vessels that Matson will put into its
Hawaii service during the next two years.
“This is a proud day for all of us at Matson,” said Matt Cox, Matson’s
chairman and chief executive officer, at the shipyard ceremony. “Over
our first 136 years, Matson’s fleet has evolved from sailing ships to
larger steamers to diesel power, consistent with changes in technology
and always evolving in step with the needs of a growing Hawaii economy.
“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. It also symbolizes Matson’s
continuing commitment to serving our Island home in the most efficient,
effective and environmentally sound way into the future,” Cox said.
Steinar Nerbovik, Philly Shipyard President and CEO, said, “It is with
tremendous gratitude and pride that we celebrate the christening of
‘Daniel K. Inouye,’ alongside Matson, a returning customer. When this
ship is delivered, no matter where it travels, it will represent the
finest craftsmanship of Philadelphia shipbuilders, and fulfill our
promise to provide American built and owned ships that will safely and
securely service our nation.”
Matson invited Irene Hirano Inouye, Sen. Inouye’s wife, to officially
christen the vessel by breaking a ceremonial bottle of champagne against
the ship’s hull.
The ceremony included a gathering of approximately 350 attendees
including Matson and PSI executives, shipyard workers and union leaders.
Speakers included Dr. Peter Navarro, Assistant to the President of the
United States, Director of Trade and Industrial Policy and the Director
of the White House National Trade Council; Rear Admiral Mark H. Buzby,
Administrator of the Maritime Administration; General Darren W. McDew,
commander of the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM); and former
Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell.
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 the
largest containership ever constructed in the U.S. It is also Matson’s
fastest vessel, with a top speed of nearly 24 knots, helping ensure
on-time deliveries in Hawaii from Matson’s three West Coast terminals in
Seattle, Oakland and Long Beach.
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 liquefied natural gas
(LNG), double hull fuel tanks, fresh water ballast systems and a more
fuel efficient hull design.
More information on Daniel K. Inouye and Matson’s fleet
modernization program is available at www.Matson.com.
* Twenty-foot Equivalent Units, the standard unit of measurement for
container capacity
About Matson
Founded in 1882, Matson (NYSE: MATX) is a leading provider of ocean
transportation and logistics services. Matson provides a vital lifeline
to the domestic non-contiguous economies of Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam,
and to other island economies in Micronesia. Matson also operates a
premium, expedited service from China to Southern California and
provides services to Okinawa, Japan and various islands in the South
Pacific. The Company's fleet of owned and chartered vessels includes
containerships, combination container and roll-on/roll-off ships and
custom-designed barges. Matson Logistics, established in 1987, extends
the geographic reach of Matson's transportation network throughout the
continental U.S. Its integrated, asset-light logistics services include
rail intermodal, highway brokerage, warehousing, freight
consolidation, Asia supply chain services, and forwarding to Alaska.
Additional information about the Company is available at www.matson.com
About Philly Shipyard
Philly Shipyard is a leading U.S. commercial shipyard constructing
vessels for operation in the Jones Act market. It possesses a
state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility and has earned a reputation as
the preferred provider of oceangoing merchant vessels with a track
record of delivering quality ships. Philly Shipyard is listed on the
Oslo Stock Exchange and is majority-owned by Aker Capital AS, which in
turn is wholly-owned by Aker ASA. Aker is a Norwegian industrial
investment company that creates value through active ownership. Aker's
investment portfolio is concentrated on key Norwegian industries that
are international in scope: oil and gas, fisheries and biotechnology,
and marine assets. Aker's industrial holdings comprise ownership
interests in Aker Solutions, Kvaerner, Aker BP, Aker BioMarine, Ocean
Yield and Akastor. For more information on Philly Shipyard, visit www.phillyshipyard.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180702005936/en/
Copyright Business Wire 2018