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Pasha Hawaii has confirmed that it has narrowed its selection to two US shipyards for the construction of two new LNG-fuelled containerships, with the option to order two additional vessels. Contract specifications are expected to be finalized by the end of the month, with the final selection decision anticipated in January 2017.

Details for the vessel order outline a shipping capacity of 3,400 TEUs, including 500 45-foot containers and 400 refrigerated containers, and a sailing speed of 23 knots. Delivery of the first vessel is scheduled for mid-2019, with delivery of the second vessel to come in early 2020.

"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," said George Pasha IV, president and CEO.

"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 two LNG dual-fuelled vessels are set to be the first of their kind in the Hawaii/US mainland trade lane, operating fully on LNG from day one in service. The shipper also expects to achieve fuel savings with a state-of-the-art engine, an optimized hull form, and an underwater propulsion system with a high-efficiency rudder and propeller.

"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," remarked Pasha IV.

Pasha's Marjorie C combination container roll-on/roll-off (con-ro) ship entered into service in May 2015. Commenting on the fuel-saving properties of the vessel last year, George Pasha IV said: "We are pleased to unveil a ship that has been designed to not only accommodate the varying needs of our customers, but a vessel that minimizes our carbon footprint through extensive fuel consumption efficiencies and other green technologies."

In August, Bunker Index reported that Matson Navigation Company, Inc., a leading U.S. carrier in the Pacific, had contracted General Dynamics NASSCO to build two dual-fuel con-ro vessels for its Hawaii fleet at a contract price of $511 million for both vessels. Deliveries are scheduled for the end of 2019 and mid-2020.

The world's first LNG-powered containership, the Isla Bella, was also built by NASSCO. It was delivered to TOTE Maritime in October 2015.