Philadelphia-based Matson, an ocean transportation and logistics services provider, recently marked two milestones in its fleet renewal program.
The company began the hull assembly for the second of three liquid natural gas powered Aloha Class containerships designed for its Hawaii and China-Long Beach Express services, and began construction on its third new vessel at Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Pennsylvania.
The company invested approximately $1 billion in the three vessels and expects to receive delivery of the first vessel during the first quarter of 2027. The second vessel will be delivered during the third quarter of 2027 and the third will be delivered during second quarter of 2028.
The three new ships will replace three vessels in Matson’s Hawaii and CLX services. They will match the size and speed of its two existing Aloha Class ships, the largest containerships constructed in the United States.
The 854-foot Aloha Class vessels are capable of carrying 3,600 20-foot equivalent units, the standard unit of measurement for container capacity, and are designed to operate at speeds greater than 23 knots.
Matson held a shipyard ceremony for the dock mounting of the second vessel’s first grand block assembly and the cutting of steel plates for the third vessel.