General Dynamics NASSCO has begun the construction of the first of two Kanaloa-class container vessels for Matson Navigation Company, Inc.

According to Matson, the new combination container and roll-on/roll-off vessels are 870 feet long and are being built on a 3,500 TEU platform. They will have a deep draft of 38 feet and enclosed garage space for up to 800 vehicles or breakbulk cargo. The first vessel will be named Lurline and is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2019, while the second will be called Matsonia and is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2020.

“Construction of these new ships underscores Matson’s commitment to serve Hawaii with the largest, most reliable and environmentally friendly vessels for the long-term,” said Ron Forest, president of Matson. “The Kanaloa class is designed specifically to meet Hawaii's freight demands while reducing our environmental impact and improving our efficiency for decades to come.”

The new vessels will have environmentally safe double-hull fuel tanks, freshwater ballast systems and dual-fuel engines, meaning that they will be able to operate at speeds up to 23 knots on either conventional fuel oils or liquefied natural gas with some adaptation for LNG.

“We’re honoured to advance the Matson fleet with two large, modern vessels reflecting the highest standards of design and energy efficiency,” said Kevin Graney, president of General Dynamics NASSCO. “The construction we began today, and the contracted work for several additional US Navy ships, require additional manpower at our San Diego shipyard. NASSCO will soon begin hiring to continue our reputation of delivering high-quality ships on schedule.”

Daewoo Ship Engineering Company also helped to provide Matson with ship design and shipbuilding technologies, according to NASSCO.