Matson, a U.S. shipping company in the Pacific, recently purchased three 65 long-ton capacity cranes from Paceco Corp. for its Sand Island Terminal in Honolulu Harbor. Three existing cranes will also be upgraded under the agreement.
The new cranes will be installed in early 2019. In addition to greater capacity, the cranes also are taller and have a longer reach than the cranes they will replace. They also allow communication with Matson’s container tracking system through fiber optic cables.
The cranes receiving an upgrade have a 40 long-ton capacity and will receive the same fiber optic cables and electrical system.
The cranes are part of the terminal’s $60 million modernization and expansion.
“Having just marked our 135th year in Hawaii, these latest investments in our fleet and terminal infrastructure underscore Matson’s longstanding commitment to serving our island communities with the most reliable, efficient and environmentally friendly operations in Hawaii for the long term,” Matson CEO and Chairman Matt Cox said.
Matson serves several Pacific islands and Alaska and operates a China to California service. It has a fleet of 21 owned and six chartered vessels.
Four new ships, valued at $930 million, will begin operation in the third quarter of 2018. The vessels are environmentally friendly and will increase efficiency while lowering costs.