The following is text of a news release from General Dynamics NASSCO:
(SAN DIEGO) — General Dynamics NASSCO has started construction on the second ship in a two-ship series of Kanaloa-class containerships for Matson Navigation Co. Inc.
Construction of Matsonia began with a ceremonial first cut of steel at NASSCO’s San Diego shipyard where the first ship in the series, Lurline, is 15 percent complete. Both ships will transport containers, automobiles and rolling stock between the West Coast of the United States and Hawaii. Using proven design standards, the ship design incorporates liquefied natural gas-capable main and auxiliary engines, which are compliant with IMO Tier III emission requirements. Future installation of a LNG fuel gas system can be accommodated on the 870-foot-long, 3,500-TEU platform combination container and roll-on/roll-off (con-ro) vessels.
“Matson’s customers in the Hawaii trade rely on us for dependable delivery of their goods, and these new Kanaloa-class vessels designed specifically for serving Hawaii will ensure we meet the highest standards of efficiency and reliability,” said Ron Forest, president of Matson.
Construction of Lurline is scheduled to be complete in the fourth quarter of 2019. Matsonia is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2020.
NASSCO partnered with DSEC Co. Ltd. to provide Matson with state-of-the-art ship design and shipbuilding technologies. For more than a decade, this partnership has produced ships for five Jones Act owners.
