Honolulu-based shipping company Pasha Hawaii has launched the construction process for the first of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueled containerships.
The steel cutting ceremony for the vessel, named George III, was held at Keppel AmFELS, a subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M).
Once built, Pasha Hawaii’s ‘Ohana Class duo will carry 2,525 TEUs in the company’s Hawaii/Mainland trade lane.
Featuring 774 feet, the design of the U.S. Jones Act vessels’ hull has been fully optimized using computational fluid dynamics, and will be one of the most hydrodynamically efficient hulls in the world, according to the shipowner.
The units are expected to be delivered in 2020.
The new vessels will operate fully on LNG from day one in service, substantially improving the vessels’ environmental footprint, Pasha Hawaii said, adding that energy savings will be achieved with a state-of-the-art engine, an optimized hull form, and an underwater propulsion system with a high-efficiency rudder and propeller.