|
The ship is in
Hawaii's newest auto shipper
is competing for consumer dollars
PASHA Hawaii Transport Lines' ship MV Jean Anne arrived in Honolulu yesterday morning after maiden voyage port calls in Hilo and Kahului, shipping in new competition among Hawaii ocean lines.
MV JEAN ANNE
Hawaii's new shipping option:
Capacity: It can carry about 3,000 cars and trucks.
|
The extra stop gave the new competitor to Matson Navigation Co. and Horizon Lines a presence on the four major islands as eight years of planning came to fruition.
"On a routine basis we'll call in Hilo, Kahului and Honolulu, but we (had) enough time in the schedule" to make the additional delivery to Kauai before heading back to San Diego, President George Pasha IV said.
Normally, shipments to Nawiliwili would be offloaded in Honolulu and forwarded via Young Brothers barge. Hawaii port calls will be every other week until the company adds a second vessel to the route.
Vehicle shipments have been a focus for Pasha and the Jean Anne is configured to allow vehicles to be driven on and off, known as "roll on roll off." It is capable of carrying about 3,000 cars and trucks. The company also has contracts to provide other services, such as moving household and other goods from its San Diego home port.
Pasha had been handling Honda and Volkswagen shipments between the mainland and Hawaii for about eight years.
Pasha courted the automotive industry for additional Hawaii shipping service and secured contracts to deliver mainstream brands as well as exotic lines such as Porsche and Lotus.
Three Porsches, nearly a dozen Lotus Elises and a Teal Lamborghini Murcielago made the Jean Anne's first Hawaii sailing.
"It's small volume," but sexy, Pasha said.
Pasha publicized an $899 rate for passenger vehicle shipment two weeks ago, a rate quickly matched by Matson and Horizon Lines, which previously charged just under $1,000.
"I think that's good, healthy competition for the market," said Pasha.
Dominant shippers Matson and Horizon are confident they can differentiate themselves.
"We have a very well-established transportation infrastructure and a good reputation for service quality," said Jeff Hull, Matson's public relations manager.
Matson noticed a dip in its individual vehicle shipper traffic, "but we have had a long relationship with all the major automakers and we continue to carry their vehicles," Hull said.
"We introduced roll-on-roll-off service to Hawaii in 1973," he said.
Company principals Peter Young, left, Brian Black and George W. Pasha IV.
"We have two other ships that are a combination of ro-ro and container ships," Hull said. "The others also move cars, either in containers or autoframes."
Autoframes are similar to vehicle transport trailers and are designed for ocean transportation. Matson also operates two container barges, one of which is roll-on-roll-off.
"With our fleet we're able to provide a lot more frequency and flexibility in terms of scheduling a shipment," he said.
Horizon Lines has seven vessels in Hawaii service and ships all vehicles in containers.
"We feel that's the safest way. It gives the maximum amount of protection for your car, from the sun, ocean, everything, the elements as well as security -- it's in a sealed container," said Ku'uhaku Park, government and public affairs manager. Horizon Lines has two arrivals a week, from Tacoma, Wash.; Oakland and Los Angeles.
The company also offers "an appointment system, making it easier for customers" to pick up their shipments, he said.
Pasha Hawaii is a joint venture between the Pasha Group, a 57-year-old family business based in Corte Madera, Calif. and Strong Vessel Operators LLC, a ship owner and operator based in Stamford, Conn.
From the National City Marine Terminal in San Diego, the MV Jean Anne came loaded with a mix of goods including household items for military personnel moving to the islands and about 2,350 vehicles of various sizes, from passenger cars to large delivery trucks, horse trailers, boats on trailers and a hospitality trailer for celebrity use.
"When we loaded her in San Diego we were loaded right up to the (stern) ramp -- it was very gratifying," Pasha said.
[News] [Business] [Features] [Sports] [Editorial] [Do It Electric!]
[Classified Ads] [Search] [Subscribe] [Info] [Letter to Editor]
[Feedback]
