Pasha Hawaii Orders Two Bunker-Saving LNG-Powered Vessels

Pasha Hawaii has placed an order for two fuel-efficient LNG-powered container ships.

In a move said to support bunker-savings, Pasha Hawaii has announced that it has placed an order for two fuel-efficient liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered container ships.

The vessels are expected to be the first LNG dual-fuelled vessels of their kind to be employed on the Hawaii-Mainland trade route.

"Energy savings will also be achieved with a state-of-the-art engine, an optimised hull form, and an underwater propulsion system with a high-efficiency rudder and propeller," said the company.

Contract details for the order, which includes the option for two further LNG-fuelled vessels, are anticipated to be finalised by the end of of the month, with the final selection decision expected in January 2017.

"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 for Pasha Hawaii.

"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."

Pasha says the new orders will benefit from the expertise of U.S. shipyards that are "very capable" of building LNG-powered vessels that are both "best-in-class" and competitive.

In June, U.S.-based Conrad Industries, Inc. (Conrad Industries) said that it believes that the further development of LNG bunker market is "of critical importance," and sees the fuel's use as "the next logical progression" for the company's history.