Matson Christens First Aloha Class Containership at Hanwha Philly Shipyard

Matson has christened the first of three new Jones Act containerships at Hanwha Philly Shipyard, marking another milestone in the carrier’s $1 billion fleet renewal program as the Philadelphia yard...

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Christening of Matson containership 'Makua' at Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Oct.

Photo courtesy Matson Matson has christened the first of three new Jones Act containerships at Hanwha Philly Shipyard , marking another milestone in the carrier’s $1 billion fleet renewal program as the Philadelphia yard expands commercial shipbuilding under South Korean ownership.

The new vessel, Makua , was christened Saturday, October 10, during a ceremony attended by approximately 300 people, including shipyard workers, union leaders, company executives and federal officials.

Matson board member Jenai Wall performed the traditional champagne bottle christening.

Maritime Administration Deputy Administrator Mark Johnson and U.S.

Transportation Command Deputy Commander Lt.

The 3,600-TEU vessel is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2027 and will enter service in Matson’s Hawaii and China-Long Beach Express (CLX) networks.

Makua is the first of three new Aloha Class containerships ordered by Matson as part of a roughly $1 billion investment.

The second vessel is scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2027, followed by the third in the second quarter of 2028.

The ships will replace three existing vessels while increasing capacity and improving efficiency across Matson’s Pacific services.

Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.

Christening of Matson containership 'Makua' at Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Oct.

Photo courtesy Matson Matson has christened the first of three new Jones Act containerships at Hanwha Philly Shipyard , marking another milestone in the carrier’s $1 billion fleet renewal program as the Philadelphia yard expands commercial shipbuilding under South Korean ownership.