Matson Christens New Aloha Class Vessel Makua in Philadelphia

The christening ceremony at Hanwha Philly Shipyard brought together 300 attendees, including U.S. Transportation Command Deputy Commander Lt. General Jered P. Helwig and Matson board member Jenai Wall, who performed the official naming duties. This vessel is the first in a new trio designed to mirror the size and speed of Matson’s existing Aloha Class ships, which currently stand as the largest containerships ever built in the United States.

Measuring 850 feet in length with a 3,600-TEU capacity, the Makua is engineered for a top speed of 24 knots. Unlike its predecessors, which required retrofitting for alternative power, these new ships are delivered LNG-ready and feature advanced fuel-efficient hull designs and freshwater ballast systems. Matt Cox, chairman and CEO of Matson, emphasized that the fleet expansion will enhance operational reliability while supporting hundreds of domestic shipyard jobs.

Following the Makua, the remaining two vessels, to be named Malama and Makena, are slated for delivery in late 2027 and mid-2028. The names continue Matson’s century-long tradition of honoring Hawaiian culture, harkening back to the company’s original freighters commissioned during World War I.