Jul 25, 2006 9:09 AM, from staff and wire reports

Mrs Millie Akaka, wife of Sen Daniel Akaka, prepares to pull a lever to release a bottle of champagne against the Maunalei’s hull, with Matson President and CEO Jim Andrasick (left) and A&B and Matson Chairman Allen Doane (right) joining her.

Matson Navigation Co’s newest containership, MV Maunalei, was christened by Millie Akaka, wife of Sen Daniel Akaka (D-HI), in a recent ceremony at Aker Philadelphia Shipyard. The vessel is the fourth new containership built by the shipyard for Matson in the past four years, representing an investment of more than $500 million.

Millie Akaka formally christened the ship with the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle against the vessel's hull. Speakers at the event included Alexander and Baldwin and Matson Chairman Allen Doane; Gen Norton Schwartz, commander, United States Transportation Command; Rep Neil Abercrombie (D-HI); and Rep Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam).

The Maunalei will enter service in September and be deployed in the company’s Hawaii, Guam, and China services. It has the capacity for 2,500 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units).

Matson is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin Inc of Honolulu HI.