Leading U.S. flag carrier Matson Inc took delivery of the new build roll on-roll off Kanaloa Class vessel Lurline in December 2019 marking the steady evolution of the company’s service connection to Hawaii dating back to 1887 when the original Lurline, a small brigantine, sailed from San Francisco to Hilo under the command of Captain William Matson, a Swedish born American who founded the Matson Navigation Company. The new Lurline is the 6^th company vessel to carry the name.

• Built by General Dynamics NASSCO Shipyard, San Diego, California
• Owned and operated by Matson Inc.
• LOA 265m
• Beam 35m
• GRT 59,522 tons
• DWT 51,374 MT
• Capacity 3,500 TEU + 500 vehicles
• Main engine 42,738 HP
• Service speed 23 knots

Lurline is the first of two sister ships, the second having been named Matsonia in June 2020 and which is scheduled for delivery in Q4 2020. The price tag for the pair is said to be approximately $500 million. With a service speed of 23 knots, the duo will be dedicated to the company’s liner service into Hawaii from the company’s terminals in Seattle, Oakland and Long Beach.

A notable design feature of the vessels is an enclosed garage at the stern with capacity for approximately 500 vehicles along with space for rolling stock and breakbulk cargo. They also incorporate green technologies, including a fuel-efficient hull design, environmentally safe double hull fuel tanks, fresh water ballast systems and the first Tier 3 dual-fuel engines to be deployed in U.S. flag containerships serving West Coast ports.  They are also compliant with the IMO emission regulations which took effect on January 1, 2020.

 

The new Matsonia will be the company’s 5^th ship to carry the name, the original dating back to 1912.

“Matson is already benefitting from the speed, capacity and improved environmental profile of the three new ships we’ve put into service since 2018,” said Matt Cox, Matson’s chairman and chief executive officer, after the Matsonia’s naming ceremony. “Matsonia will be our fourth new ship, completing a three-year fleet renewal program that positions us well to serve the needs of our communities in Hawaii for many years to come.”

“As a proud U.S. company and Jones Act carrier, our investment in this new ship is about much more than maintaining a high level of service to Hawaii. It also helps drive substantial economic benefits in and opportunities in communities around the Pacific, where this vessel will operate,” said Mr. Cox.

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