HAWAII's Matson line, a leading US ocean carrier in the Pacific, has welcomed the first of four newbuilds, which now stands as the biggest boxship - at 3,600 TEU - ever built in the United States, reports the American Journal of Transportation.

Named in honour of Hawaii's late US Senator, the Daniel K Inouye is 850-foot long vessel of 51,400 tonnes with a top speed of 23 knots.



The arrival also marks the beginning of a nearly US$1 billion investment by Matson in its Hawaii service over the next few years, with the four new ships completing a renewal of its Hawaii fleet, and a terminal expansion and modernisation project at its Sand Island facility in Honolulu.



'These new ships are the future for Hawaii shipping and will bring a new level of efficiency and reliability to our service,' said Matson chairman and CEO Matt Cox.



'The substantial investment in new technology underscores Matson's long-term commitment to Hawaii and our desire to serve the Islands in the most advanced, environmentally friendly way for years to come.' said Mr Cox.


WORLD SHIPPING