Philly Shipyard Wins USD 1 Billion Contract to Build Three Aloha Class LNG-Fueled Containerships for Matson
Philly Shipyard Wins USD 1 Billion Contract to Build Three Aloha Class LNG-Fueled Containerships for Matson. New orders will increase shipyard’s backlog to a record high exceeding USD 2 billion.
PHILADELPHIA – Philly Shipyard, Inc. (PSI), the sole operating subsidiary of Philly Shipyard ASA has announced it has been selected by Matson Navigation Company, Inc. (Matson), a leading provider of ocean transportation and logistics services, to construct three Aloha Class LNG-fueled containerships. The award is valued at approximately USD 1 billion. The vessels are contracted for delivery in 2026 and 2027 and will not require external financing by PSI.
“Winning this order creates historic backlog for Philly Shipyard, as well as great visibility through 2027 for its shareholders and other stakeholders,” said Kristian Rokke, chairman of the board of Philly Shipyard ASA. “Long term, it also supports the yard’s vision to deliver quality vessels, while pivoting between commercial and government contracts.”
The contract award further bolsters Philly Shipyard’s current order backlog, consisting of five National Security Multi-Mission Vessels (NSMVs) for Tote Services LLC and one Subsea Rock Installation Vessel (SRIV) for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company, LLC. With the three containership contract from Matson, Philly Shipyard’s order book is now the largest in its 25 year history at over USD 2 billion.
“We are both honored and filled with immense pride that Matson has once again chosen Philly Shipyard to build its vessels. We have a proven track record of building high quality containerships and are greatly looking forward to this renewed partnership,” said Steinar Nerbovik, Philly Shipyard’s president and chief executive officer. “With a revitalized workforce nearing 1,400, our shipyard is ready for this important work.”
PSI previously delivered four containerships to Matson between 2003 and 2006 and two more containerships to Matson, also known as the Aloha Class, in 2018 and 2019.
“Our existing Aloha Class ships are among the fastest, most efficient vessels in the Matson fleet,” said Matt Cox, Matson’s chairman and chief executive officer. “These new Jones Act compliant vessels will be built specifically for our China-Long Beach Express service, and like their sisterships, are expected to help Matson achieve its 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal while also providing additional capacity and speed benefitting our Hawaii service as well as the CLX.”
Measuring 854 feet long, the three new Aloha Class vessels will match the length of the two existing Aloha Class ships, currently the largest Jones Act containerships ever constructed. The 3,600 TEU vessels are capable of carrying a variety of container sizes and operating at speeds in excess of 23 knots. The vessels will operate on either conventional marine fuels or liquefied natural gas (LNG) and will incorporate other “green ship technology”, supporting Matson’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.