The largest container ship ever built in the U.S. was christened in a ceremony at the Philly Shipyard on Saturday, June 30.
Built for Honolulu-based Matson, the new vessel is named Daniel K. Inouye in honor of Hawaii’s late senior U.S. Senator who was a longstanding supporter of the U.S. maritime industry and its important role in supporting Hawaii’s economy. She is the first of two new ships being built for Matson by Philly Shipyard, and the first of four new vessels that Matson will put into its Hawaii service during the next two years.
The 51,400 tons vessel is 850-foot long and has capacity for 3,600 TEUs. She will be Matson’s fastest vessel, with a top speed of nearly 24 knots, helping ensure on-time deliveries in Hawaii from Matson’s three West Coast terminals in Seattle, Oakland and Long Beach.