Honolulu-based ocean carrier Pasha Hawaii on Wednesday announced it has awarded shipbuilder VT Halter Marine a $144 million contract to construct a new roll-on/roll-off car truck vessel that will serve the carrier's Hawaii to West Coast service.
VT Halter also signed an option agreement with Pasha for the construction of a second new ro/ro, with some scope variation, for a base price of about $137 million.
According to VT Halter parent Singapore Technologies Engineering, work on the new vessel is expected to begin immediately with delivery scheduled for the second half of 2013.
This will be the second ro/ro vessel constructed by the shipyard for Pasha, with the M/V Jean AnneJean Anne delivered by VT Halter Marine in March 2005. The is now approaching her seventh year and her 150th voyage.
"Building a second ship has always been part of our organization's plan. The level of enthusiasm and customer support we received when we deployed our first vessel was well beyond our expectations," Pasha CEO George Pasha, IV, said. "Our second vessel will both better serve the Hawaii/Mainland market and also provide increased frequency and superior reliability. A weekly sailing will also allow us to present even more tailored transportation solutions to our clients."
The more than 60-year-old Pasha Hawaii services Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii in the islands and San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco on the West Coast. The carrier specializes in the transportation of cars, motorcycles, boats and oversize loads with a bi-weekly service utilizing the M/V Jean Anne.
