Twin Matson Container Barges Christened At McDermott Shipyard

Matson Navigation Company's twin container barges, Haleakala and Mauna Loa, have been christened and are nearing completion at McDermott Shipyard in New Iberia, La. The 350-foot by 64.5-foot barges will enter service early next year in Matson's "Neighbor Islands" feeder service between Honolulu and Hilo, Hawaii; Kahului, Maui; and Nawilwili, Kauai.

The Haleakala was christened by Vera Wasacz, wife of Alexander & Baldwin senior executive vice president M.S. Wasacz. The Mauna Loa was christened by Harriet Baldwin, wife of R.H. Baldwin, a retired director of Alexander & Baldwin, Matson's parent company- Matson reports that the total cost of each barge will be about $9.5 million, including the cost of the unique container-handling crane that will keep the boxes parallel with the barge during loading and unloading operations. The crane will travel atop massive steel girders supported by pillars rising from the deck. Other innovations include adjustable cell guides for securing containers and a remote-controlled stern thruster to aid in docking. Each barge will have a capacity for about 216 containers of various sizes, and 1,700 tons of molasses.

When shipyard work and machinery and electrical tests are completed on both barges, they will be towed from the Gulf of Mexico to Honolulu by a Dillingham tug. The 7,200-mile trip was expected to take about 34 days.

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 32, Nov 1984

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