/C O R R E C T I O N - Matson, Inc./
Key Highlights
- ➤$1 billion investment funds three new Jones Act-compliant containerships
- ➤Makua delivery scheduled for Q1 2027, with two follow-on ships through Q2 2028
- ➤New Aloha Class ships will increase Hawaii and China-Long Beach Express capacity
- ➤Dual-fuel, LNG-ready vessels are designed to improve operating efficiency and reliability
- ➤Hanwha Philly Shipyard is building Matson’s three replacement vessels
Expert Statements
Matt Cox, Chairman and chief executive officer of Matson, Inc.
“We look forward to putting Makua to work serving our customers early next year”
Matt Cox, Chairman and chief executive officer of Matson, Inc.
“We’re excited that adding three new Aloha Class ships to Matson’s fleet over the next 18 months will improve operating efficiencies and reliability, and increase capacity in our core Hawaii service, as well as our China-Long Beach Express service.”
Matt Cox, Chairman and chief executive officer of Matson, Inc.
“And we’re proud that building them here supports hundreds of good-paying shipyard jobs and will provide more than 2,500 job opportunities for U.S. mariners over the lifespan of each ship.”
David Kim, CEO of Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Inc.
“Today’s christening of Makua is especially meaningful because Matson has been part of the story of this shipyard from its earliest days.”
David Kim, CEO of Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Inc.
“Our partnership spans generations of vessels and reflects a shared commitment to American shipbuilding and the U.S. maritime industry.”
David Kim, CEO of Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Inc.
“We are grateful for Matson’s continued trust in our people, and incredibly proud of the skill and craftsmanship our workforce is bringing to Makua and the next generation of Aloha Class ships.”
Jered P. Helwig, Deputy Commander of U.S. Transportation Command
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Mark Johnson, Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration
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In the news release, MATSON CHRISTENS NEXT ALOHA CLASS VESSEL 'MAKUA', issued 12-Oct-2026 by Matson, Inc. over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that changes have been made. The complete, corrected release follows, with additional details at the end: MATSON CHRISTENS NEXT ALOHA CLASS VESSEL 'MAKUA' First of Three New Containerships Will Enter Service in 2027
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Matson, Inc. (NYSE: MATX ), a leading U.S. carrier in the Pacific, and Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Inc. (HPSI), a leading U.S. shipbuilder of ocean-going merchant vessels, christened the first of three new containerships being built for Matson's China-Long Beach Express (CLX) and Hawaii services in a ceremony at Hanwha Philly Shipyard (HPSI) on Saturday, October 10.
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