Matson marks two milestones in $1BN fleet renewal program

At a May 5 steel-cutting ceremony for the third of three new containerships, the honor of starting the shipyard’s plasma cutter on the first steel plate was given to Dan Massoni, Matson’s Vessel Engineering Manager based in Philadelphia. [Photo : Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Inc.]

Honolulu-headquartered Matson, Inc. (NYSE: MATX) has marked two milestones in its fleet renewal program at Hanwha Philly Shipyard: the start of hull assembly on the second of three new LNG-fueled Aloha Class containerships and the start of construction on the third.

At the steel-cutting ceremony marking the official start of construction on the vessel, the honor of starting the shipyard’s plasma cutter on the first steel plate was given to Dan Massoni, Matson’s vessel engineering manager based in Philadelphia.

The three new Jones Act-compliant vessels, representing an investment of approximately $1 billion, will match the size and speed of Matson’s two existing Aloha Class ships, Daniel K. Inouye, and Kaimana Hila, which entered service in 2018 and 2019, respectively, as the largest containerships ever constructed in the U.S.

Matson expects to receive the first new vessel in the first quarter of 2027 with subsequent deliveries in the third quarter of 2027 and second quarter of 2028, respectively.

With a carrying capacity of 3,600 TEU, the 854-foot Aloha Class vessels are designed to operate at speeds in excess of 23 knots in support of Matson’s service hallmark—fast and reliable delivery of goods, while incorporating the latest energy-efficient technologies to enhance operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

The three new Aloha Class ships will replace three vessels currently deployed in Matson’s Hawaii and CLX services.