Matson Christens First of Three New Aloha Class Containerships at Hanwha Philly Shipyard

Matson has christened the first of three new Jones Act containerships at Hanwha Philly Shipyard, marking another milestone in the carrier’s $1 billion fleet renewal program.

The new Aloha-class containership, named Daniel K. Inouye, is the first of its kind and is expected to enter service in the first quarter of 2021.

The ship is equipped with advanced environmental and safety features, including a state-of-the-art exhaust gas cleaning system and a ballast water treatment system.

The Jones Act, a federal law that requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be carried on U.S.-built, -flagged, and -crewed vessels, ensures that seafarers on these ships are U.S. citizens.