Matson Navigation Co’s three new Aloha-class container ships will use Kongsberg Maritime hybrid electrical systems which incorporate Corvus Energy Orca energy storage systems (ESS)
With a carrying capacity of 3,600 TEU, the 260-m Matson Aloha-class vessels are the largest container ships built in the United States. Matson is expanding its fleet of two Aloha-class vessels with the addition of three, new Jones Act-compliant container ships.
The vessels will feature a next-generation, LNG-ready design which is optimised for energy efficiency and emissions reduction. Equipped with green ship technology and dual-fuel engines, the ships will be able to operate using either conventional marine fuels or LNG.
The LNG-powered container ships play a key role in Matson’s emissions-reduction strategy – to achieve a 40% reduction in Scope 1 greenhouse gas fleet emissions by 2030 and net-zero Scope 1 GHG emissions by 2050.
“Matson Navigation Co, through its investment in three new LNG-powered container ships, is making a clear commitment to decarbonise its operations. We are delighted to be supporting its environmental goals through the supply of a range of green ship technologies, such as our hybrid shaft generator system. That, together with the batteries supplied by Corvus Energy, will optimise energy usage and reduce emissions,” said Kongsberg Maritime senior sales manager marine transportation, Lasse Brynsrud.
Each vessel will be outfitted with a 1,492-kWh Corvus Orca system. The Corvus Orca ESS is the most installed marine battery system worldwide, used on board more than 700 maritime vessels around the world.
Construction is underway at Philly Shipyard for the first of the three new container ships, with vessels scheduled for delivery to Matson in 2026 and 2027.
The new ships are being built to provide additional capacity and speed, benefiting Matson’s Hawaii and China-Long Beach Express service routes.
