Posted at 9:15 a.m., Friday, September 29, 2006
Matson to increase roll-on/roll-off capacity by 35%
Advertiser Staff
Matson Navigation Co. said today it has signed a $17 million contract with Atlantic Marine Alabama, LLC to convert Matson's C-9, MV Mokihana, to a combination roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) and container vessel.Modification work on the containership will begin in April at Atlantic Marine's shipyard in Alabama, with delivery scheduled for June.
"The conversion of the Mokihana will increase Matson's ro-ro capacity in our Hawaii service by 35 percent," said Dave Hoppes, senior vice president, ocean services.
"As one of the leading U.S.-flag carriers, Matson is proud to further demonstrate its commitment to supporting U.S. shipyards," said James Andrasick, Matson president and CEO. "In the past six years, Matson has awarded $584 million of work to U.S. shipyards, including over $500 million to Aker Philadelphia Shipyard for the construction of four new containerships."
The conversion of the Mokihana is part of a previously announced $45 million upgrade of Matson's ro-ro service capabilities in its Hawai'i service, which includes shoreside facility improvements and investments in new information technology. Matson has two other combination ro-ro/containerships, SSs Lurline and Matsonia.
"Matson has multi-year agreements with Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Dollar Thrifty Group, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Toyota and Nissan," said Hoppes. "The Ford agreement includes Volvo Cars, Jaguar and Land Rover."
Matson is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. of Honolulu (NASDAQ: ALEX).
Matson competes with Horizon Lines and Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines in delivery of vehicles from the Mainland to the Islands. Pasha launched its service in March 2005 with the MV Jean Anne, which offers a roll-on/roll-off service for vehicles.
