Matson’s New Containership Maunalei Christened in Philadelphia

Matson Navigation Company’s newest containership, MV Maunalei, was christened by Mrs. Millie Akaka, wife of Senator Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), at a ceremony held at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard on Saturday, July 22. The vessel is the fourth new containership built by the shipyard for Matson in the past four years, representing an investment of over $500 million. Mrs. Akaka formally christened the ship with the traditional breaking of a bottle of champagne against the hull of the vessel. Speakers at the event included Alexander and Baldwin and Matson Chairman Allen Doane, General Norton Schwartz, commander, U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) and Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam).