According to the shipbuilding company, General Dynamics NASSCO, Lurline is the largest container ship ever built in the U.S. and it has made history in the San Diego port by creating 900 maritime jobs, reports NBC San Diego.
The company said she is 870 feet long, just shy of three football fields, and she weighs more than 44,000 tons.
200 People Built the Vessel
President of NASSCO, Kevin Graney said his team and Matson, a Honolulu based company, signed a contract to build two new container ships for the company. They started building Lurline 18 months ago in NASSCO’s shipyard. They hired 200 people to start building it along with the U.S. Navy ships they were working on too.
Another 700 workers for the 2nd vessel
The second ship they are building is called, Matsonia and they’ll also be working on six fleet oilers.
Graney said they would hire another 700 workers to finish the second ship for Matson.
“We are 25 to 26 percent done with the second ship in the Matson contract,” said Graney.
Replacing 40-year-old Ships
On Saturday just after 6:30 p.m. Lurline was christened by a Matson’s board member, Ms. Constance Lau. Lau broke a bottle of champagne on its bow and then it launched from the port with NASSCO employees and the public cheering for its send off.
Lurline and Matsonia will replace three other 40-year-old Matson containerships.
Press Briefing by NASSCO
- This ship is the largest containership built in San Diego with liquefied natural gas capable engines and an energy efficient design.
- Lurline is the lead ship of a two-vessel contract being built for Honolulu-based Matson at General Dynamics NASSCO.
- Thousands of individuals had a role in constructing the Lurline.
- The design of the ship provides the capability to transport containers, automobiles and rolling stock, including trailers.
- The construction and operation of the Lurline and its future sister ship are aligned with the Jones Act.
- Lurline will commute between Honolulu, Oakland, and Long Beach. It will set sail for Hawaii toward the end of 2019.
- Nassco provided about $500 million for the construction of the two vessels.
- Both new vessels will replace three diesel-powered ones that are actively serving.
About the Newly Christened Vessel
- According to a Safety4Sea report, the vessel named in the honour of the ocean deity revered in native Hawaiian culture, is an 870-foot-long, 3,500 TEU, 44,200 deadweight metric ton, combination container ship/roll-on, roll-off (ConRo) vessel built for Honolulu-based Matson, Inc.
- The vessel is equipped with 800 vehicles enclosed garage space or breakbulk cargo.
- The vessel has LNG-capable engines and is the first of a two-vessel contract. The vessel is capable of speeding up to 23 knots.
History of the Naming
The first Kanaloa class vessel, is the sixth vessel to follow the name Lurline, which was originally given to Capt. William Matson’s second vessel, a brigantine built by Matthew Turner, Shipbuilder of Benicia, California in 1887. Named by sugar tycoon, Claus Spreckels, the vessel made its first sailing from San Francisco to Hawaii on June 16, 1887.
The second Kanaloa Class vessel will be the fifth Matson vessel to be named Matsonia. The first Matsonia was constructed for Matson, by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., launched on August 16, 1912.
Company compliant to new regulations
After having delivered the Kanaloa Class vessels, along with the two new Aloha Class ships, the company will be compliant to the new environmental regulations and will be able to retire its seven older steamship vessels that are no longer compliant with the 2020 environmental regulations.
Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: NBC San Diego
