Matson christens new Aloha Class containership Makua
Matson has christened Makua, the first of three new Aloha Class containerships under construction at Hanwha Philly Shipyard in the United States, ahead of its scheduled delivery in early 2027.
The ceremony took place on 10 October 2026 at the Pennsylvania shipyard, where Matson board member Jenai Wall officially named the vessel. Approximately 300 guests attended, including representatives of the US Maritime Administration, US Transportation Command, Matson, the shipyard and maritime labour organisations.
The three-vessel construction programme represents an investment of approximately $1 billion and is intended to replace existing ships operating on Matson’s Hawaii and China–Long Beach Express (CLX) services. The new vessels are being built to comply with the Jones Act, which governs domestic maritime transportation in the United States.
New containerships to enter service through 2028
The new Aloha Class vessels are designed to match the dimensions and operating characteristics of Matson’s existing sisterships, Daniel K. Inouye and Kaimana Hila, delivered in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
Each vessel will have a capacity of approximately 3,600 TEU, a length of 850 feet and a weight exceeding 51,400 metric tonnes. The ships are designed to reach speeds approaching 24 knots, making them among the fastest vessels in Matson’s fleet.
The new containerships will feature dual-fuel engines capable of operating on conventional marine fuels or liquefied natural gas (LNG). Unlike the earlier Aloha Class vessels, which required modifications for LNG operation, the three newbuildings will be delivered LNG-ready. Additional features include fuel-efficient hull designs, double-hull fuel tanks and freshwater ballast systems.
Makua is scheduled for delivery during the first quarter of 2027, followed by the second vessel in the third quarter of 2027 and the third in the second quarter of 2028. Matson plans to name the remaining ships Malama and Makena.
Matt Cox, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Matson, said the new vessels are expected to support the company’s operations across its principal Pacific services.
“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,” Cox said.
Shipbuilding programme continues longstanding relationship
The construction programme extends Matson’s relationship with Hanwha Philly Shipyard, which previously built the company’s first two Aloha Class containerships. The shipyard also delivered four Jones Act containerships to Matson between 2003 and 2006.
According to Matson, the new vessels are intended to replace three ships currently operating across its Hawaii and CLX networks. The company expects the replacements to support fleet efficiency, service reliability and additional carrying capacity.
The names selected for the new vessels also reflect Matson’s maritime history. Earlier ships named Makua, Malama and Makena were originally commissioned by the United States Shipping Board and subsequently acquired by Matson during the 1920s.
The christening marks a milestone in the construction programme, although Makua has not yet been delivered. The first vessel is expected to join Matson’s fleet during the opening quarter of 2027.
