PHILADELPHIA >> A cargo vessel named the Manukai floated out of a flooded drydock into the Delaware River, the first ship to be built at the city's former Naval Shipyard in 34 years. New Matson ship launched
But the shipper has said it
no longer wants to buy the
$110 million vesselAssociated Press
The ship is one of two originally contracted by Matson Navigation Co. for the West Coast-Hawaii trade and carries the Matson name in huge letters along the hull.
Workers at the Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard cheered as the container ship destined for Hawaii, aided by a fleet of five tugboats, was maneuvered into a nearby dock on Saturday for its final construction phase.
The ship marks a milestone for the city, whose shipbuilding industry was nearly extinct; for Kvaerner, which reopened the shipyard in 1997; and for hundreds of shipyard workers.
Kim Gibbons, a welder, cried as The Manukai floated into the Delaware and then rushed to call her mother, who was standing on the New Jersey side of the river to film the moment.
"This is a key event in my life," said Phil Mabee, who said he had spent the previous 36 hours testing every inch of the enormous ship to ensure there were no leaks. The ship is 712 feet long, measures 106 at its widest point, and is about four stories high.
Mabee said in addition to marking the return of the shipbuilding industry to the Delaware River, it also leads the way for a young work force of shipbuilders.
At least 700 jobs were created with workers schooled in modern European shipbuilding techniques as part of a $429 million city and state economic development project that brought Kvaerner to Philadelphia.
"I came in as a welder and now I'm a welding team leader," said Rudy Mormon, 37, of Philadelphia. "It's a good opportunity."
Matson has said it no longer wishes to purchase the $110 million vessel, which is scheduled for completion in early June. However, the company, a subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin Inc., said it likely will end up leasing the ship from another owner.
"We are still pursuing the time-charter option or alternative and it appears there are several interested financial buyers," Bradley C. Mulholland, Matson vice chairman, said today.
Matson, worried about the capital needed to buy the ship in today's down economy, wants to work with an investor in much the same way as airlines finance their aircraft.
Matson and Kvaerner have said Matson has not canceled its shipbuilding contract but both sides are looking for an alternative so Matson won't have to provide the capital itself.
Gunnar Skjelbred, president and CEO of the Kvaerner Philadelphia Shipyard, said Saturday's event went well despite higher-than-expected winds.
Matson Navigation Co.