By Abbas Nazil
Matson, a leading U.S. shipping company, has reached a significant milestone with the return of its containership, Kaimana Hila, to service after completing its conversion to LNG propulsion.
The vessel, which has a deadweight tonnage of 50,981 and was originally introduced in 2019, underwent a transformation at China’s COSCO Shipping Shipyard (Nantong).
This marks the third LNG conversion in Matson’s fleet, underscoring the company’s commitment to sustainable shipping practices.
Daniel K. Inouye, the sister ship of Kaimana Hila, was the first to be converted, with work completed in June 2023.
The conversion of Kaimana Hila followed shortly after, beginning in mid-2024. The ship rejoined Matson’s fleet in November and departed from Shanghai on December 12, en route to Long Beach, California, on a 10-day voyage to resume her regular service route.
Matson reports that the dual conversions, initially estimated to cost $35 million per ship, required a total investment of $94 million for both vessels due to rising costs and expanded project scopes.
The LNG conversion projects were conducted in partnership with MAN Prime Service, which upgraded the vessels’ MAN B&W S90ME main engines to dual-fuel capability.
Each project included the installation of three LNG tanks, along with associated piping and operational systems, allowing the vessels to operate efficiently on either LNG or conventional fuel.
The auxiliary engines, as well as the main engine, were adapted to LNG use, making these ships cleaner and more sustainable.
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Matson also took the opportunity during the refit of Kaimana Hila to install a new bow windshield. These aerodynamic enhancements are becoming increasingly popular in the container shipping industry, offering improved fuel efficiency and reduced operating costs.
The ship, measuring 854 feet (260 meters) in length with a capacity of 3,220 TEU and over 400 reefer slots, is now fully equipped for a greener operational future.
Beyond the Kaimana Hila and Daniel K. Inouye, Matson undertook an extensive renovation of its older vessel, Manukai.
Built in 2003 and not originally designed as LNG-ready, the Manukai required a complete replacement of its main engine alongside the installation of LNG tanks and associated systems.
This ambitious project, completed in 2024, cost $74 million and represents another key step in Matson’s efforts to modernize its fleet with environmentally friendly technologies.
Matson has two additional LNG-ready containerships, Lurline (2019) and Matsonia (2020), but has not yet announced plans for their conversion.
In the meantime, the company is advancing its LNG capabilities through newbuilds. It has ordered three next-generation containerships from the Philly Shipyard, each capable of operating on LNG or conventional fuel.
The first of these vessels, Makua, is scheduled for delivery in 2026, with steel cutting for the project already underway.
These initiatives form part of Matson’s broader strategy to enhance fleet sustainability and efficiency.
The company’s investments in LNG technology reflect its commitment to meeting evolving environmental regulations and reducing its carbon footprint while maintaining high operational standards in the shipping industry. END
Source: The Maritime Executives
