Matson's First 3600TEU Newbuild Container Ship Completes Naming Ceremony

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 12, U.S. shipping company Matson announced that Makua, the first vessel of its next-generation Aloha-class container ships, completed its naming ceremony on October 10 at Hanwha Philly Shipyard in Pennsylvania. The vessel is part of Matson's three-ship newbuild container ship program, which represents an investment of approximately USD 1 billion. Each vessel is designed to carry about 3,600 TEU. The first ship is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2027, with the remaining two to be delivered successively between 2027 and 2028.

Makua is being built by Hanwha Philly Shipyard. The vessel has a length of approximately 850 feet, or about 259 meters, a deadweight tonnage exceeding 51,400 tons, and a maximum speed approaching 24 knots. The new ship features liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel engines, capable of operating on conventional marine fuel or LNG, and is equipped with an energy-efficient hull design, double-hull fuel tanks, and a freshwater ballast system. The vessel will be LNG-ready upon delivery.

The newbuilding program comprises three container ships: Makua, Malama, and Makena, all built in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Jones Act. The three new vessels are similar in dimensions and speed to Matson's existing Aloha-class container ships Daniel K. Inouye and Kaimana Hila, which entered service in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

According to the latest delivery schedule, Makua is planned for delivery in the first quarter of 2027, the second ship Malama in the third quarter of 2027, and the third ship Makena in the second quarter of 2028. The three new vessels are intended for Matson's Hawaii shipping operations and the China–Long Beach Express (CLX) service, replacing three vessels currently deployed on the relevant routes.

Matson signed the construction contracts for the three new ships in November 2022, commenced steel cutting for the first vessel in September 2024, and completed the docking and installation of the first large block for the first vessel in August 2025. In May 2026, hull assembly began on the second vessel, and steel cutting started on the third vessel. Following the naming ceremony, Makua will continue to advance through the shipyard's construction and delivery schedule.