The Aloha class is a pair of cargo ships built by Philly Shipyard for Matson. The vessels are the largest of their type to be built in the United States.
Matson placed the $418 million order for the two ships in November 2013.[1] In October 2015, the ceremonial first steel cutting took place, with both ships to be built roughly in parallel until their deliveries in late 2018.[2] The first vessel, Daniel K. Inouye, was christened on 30 June 2018, though outfitting work continued until late in the year.[3][4] She was delivered on 1 November, and made her first voyage to Hawaii later in the month.[5] The second ship, Kaimana Hila, was christened on 9 March 2019,[6] and entered service in August.[7] Matson operates both ships from continental United States ports to Hawaii and Guam.[8][7]
At 854 feet (260 m) in length, and with a deadweight tonnage of 50,794 DWT, Aloha-class ships are the largest container ships ever built in the United States.[3] Each ship has a cargo capacity of 3,600 TEUs and is powered by a dual fuel engine, burning either diesel fuel or liquefied natural gas, that gives a service speed of about 23 knots (26 mph).[8][3]
References edit
- ^ "Matson to name new ship after Sen. Dan Inouye". Honolulu Star Advertiser. 6 November 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Construction begins on new 'Aloha Class' Matson containerships". Honolulu Star Advertiser. 1 October 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ a b c "Matson christens first of four LNG-capable Hawaii containerships". Workboat. 4 July 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Philly Shipyard makes a play for its future in polar icebreakers". Philadelphia Inquirer. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "First Aloha-class ship delivered to Matson". Workboat. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
- ^ "Matson christens second Aloha-class vessel". Workboat. 12 March 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
- ^ a b "Matson celebrates arrival of largest U.S. made carrier". Pacific Daily News. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
- ^ a b "Philly shows mettle in Jones Act market". The Motorship. 5 February 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.