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 as the Philadelphia yard expands commercial shipbuilding under South Korean ownership.

The new vessel, Makua, was christened Saturday, October 10, during a ceremony attended by approximately 300 people, including shipyard workers, union leaders, company executives and federal officials.

Matson board member Jenai Wall performed the traditional champagne bottle christening. Among those attending were U.S. Maritime Administration Deputy Administrator Mark Johnson and U.S. Transportation Command Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. Jered P. Helwig.

The 3,600-TEU vessel is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2027 and will enter service in Matson’s Hawaii and China-Long Beach Express (CLX) networks.

Makua is the first of three new Aloha Class containerships ordered by Matson as part of a roughly $1 billion investment. The second vessel is scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2027, followed by the third in the second quarter of 2028.

The ships will replace three existing vessels while increasing capacity and improving efficiency across Matson’s Pacific services.

The new vessels are based on Matson’s existing Aloha Class ships, Daniel K. Inouye and Kaimana Hila, delivered by the Philadelphia yard in 2018 and 2019. At the time, they were the largest containerships ever built in the United States.

Measuring approximately 850 feet long, the new ships will carry 3,600 TEUs and have a top speed approaching 24 knots, allowing Matson to maintain the fast transit times central to its premium Pacific services.

Each will also be delivered with LNG-ready dual-fuel engines capable of operating on conventional marine fuels or liquefied natural gas, along with fuel-efficient hull designs and freshwater ballast systems.

“We look forward to putting Makua to work serving our customers early next year,” said Matson Chairman and CEO Matt Cox.

Cox said the new ships will improve reliability and capacity while supporting hundreds of U.S. shipyard jobs and creating employment opportunities for American mariners over their operating lives.

The christening also marks another step in Hanwha’s expansion of U.S. shipbuilding since the South Korean conglomerate acquired the former Philly Shipyard in late 2024.

Construction of the three vessels has steadily advanced over the past two years. Steel cutting for Makua began in October 2024, followed by hull assembly in August 2025. In May, the shipyard began assembling the second vessel, Malama, and cut steel for the third, Makena.

The program is part of a broader expansion at the Philadelphia facility, where Hanwha is increasing its commercial order book while pursuing additional U.S. government and naval shipbuilding work. The yard has also built National Security Multi-Mission Vessels for the Maritime Administration and secured orders for tankers and LNG carriers.

“Today’s christening of Makua is especially meaningful because Matson has been part of the story of this shipyard from its earliest days,” said Hanwha Philly Shipyard CEO David Kim.

“Our partnership spans generations of vessels and reflects a shared commitment to American shipbuilding and the U.S. maritime industry.”

The relationship between Matson and the Philadelphia shipyard stretches back more than two decades. Before building the first two Aloha Class vessels, the yard delivered four Jones Act containerships to Matson between 2003 and 2006.

The latest vessels also continue Matson’s tradition of reusing names from its early fleet. Makua, Malama and Makena were originally freighters acquired by Matson in the 1920s after being built for the United States Shipping Board.

The name Makua is Hawaiian for parent, elder, ancestor or family.

Subscribe for Daily Maritime Insights

Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update

— trusted by our 106,899 members