Shipping firm Pasha Hawaii is to expand its fleet with two newbuild LNG-fuelled vessels.
The containerships will each have capacity of 3,400 TEU and the first is scheduled for delivery in mid-2019, followed by a second in early 2020. They are expected to be the first of their kind in operation on the Hawaii/Mainland trade lane.
“Since entering the Hawaii shipping business in 2005, Pasha Hawaii has made and will continue to make significant capital investments to support our expanding customer base and the local business community as a whole,” George Pasha, IV, CEO of Pasha Hawaii, said.
The selection decision for the two containerships is expected to be finalised in January 2017.
LNG operation from day one
Both vessels will feature dual-fuel engines capable of producing sailing speeds of up to 23 knots. The ships will feature 500 45-foot standard containers and a further 400 refrigerated containers.
“In addition to increasing capability for our customers, these new ships will represent a new era in shipping for Hawaii in terms of greatly reduced emissions and increased efficiency.”
The vessels will both enter service operating fully on LNG “from day one” and Pasha predicts the introduction of the ships will “dramatically” reduce environmental impacts and increase fuel efficiency.
Industry support for LNG growth
“We are fortunate to have shipyards within the United States that are very capable of building best-in-class cargo ships, including LNG powered vessels, competitively. Both the Jean Anne and Marjorie C are Jones Act-qualified vessels and like our new containerships, represent many firsts for the industry in terms of design and performance. Pasha Hawaii is proud to support our shipyards and the many skilled workers who are a part of this important industry,” Pasha added.
Pasha Hawaii is headquartered in Honoloulou and provides pure car/truck carrier (PCTC) services, container shipment and logistics services between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland. Earlier this year, transport firm Clean Energy Fuels signed a contract to provide LNG fuel for Hawaii Gas, the State of Hawaii’s only franchised gas utility.
The firm aims to increase the availability of LNG-fuelled transport in the state and reduce its reliance on imported crude oil but has faced some opposition from island campaigners. Hawaii Governor David Ige has repeatedly opposed development of LNG infrastructure on the islands
and instead backs renewable deployment.
