Pasha Hawaii Celebrates MV George III’s Inaugural Call to the Port of Long Beach
Vessel Begins Service in the Hawaii/Mainland Trade Lane
LNG-powered containership is the first to fuel on the West Coast, first to serve Hawaii.
Hawaii-based Pasha Hawaii welcomed the newest member to its containership fleet today with the arrival of MV George III at the Port of Long Beach in California, where she will begin her maiden voyage to Honolulu, Hawaii. This is the first Liquefied Natural Gas (“LNG”) powered vessel to fuel on the West Coast and the first to serve Hawaii. The 774-foot LNG-fueled containership was built in Brownsville, Texas by Keppel AmFELS, marking the first of two new ‘Ohana Class containerships to join Pasha Hawaii’s fleet, serving the Hawaii/Mainland trade lane.
Following George III’s inaugural visit to Long Beach, she will sail to Honolulu, Hawaii, her home port. Operating fully on natural gas from day one, the new Jones Act vessel surpasses the International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2030 emission standards for ocean vessels, representing the most technologically advanced and environmentally friendly vessel to serve Hawaii. Energy efficiencies are also achieved with a state-of-the-art engine, an optimized hull form, and an underwater propulsion system with a high-efficiency rudder and propeller.
“Today, we celebrate three generations of service to the people of Hawaii with the arrival of the MV George III to Long Beach,” said George Pasha, IV, President and CEO, Pasha Hawaii. Named after Pasha, IV’s late father, the vessel was designed to represent the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of George Pasha, III.
“Shortly after my father joined my grandfather in the family business, he quickly laid the foundation for growth and success,” added Pasha, IV. “Through my father’s leadership, what started out as a personal vehicle storage company, evolved into a world-class global logistics and transportation company. As we mark our 75th anniversary and welcome George III to Long Beach, we are proud to continue my family’s legacy of innovation and environmental stewardship, while recognizing our employees as our extended ‘ohana.”
“We are also grateful for our partnership with the Port of Long Beach,” concluded Pasha, IV. “Being able to fuel MV George III with natural gas at the Port reflects our shared vision of minimizing our environmental impact, while setting a new standard for ship building in the U.S.”
“Reducing ship emissions will have a significant and positive impact on the region’s air quality,” said Port of Long Beach Executive Director Mario Cordero. “We thank Pasha Hawaii for leading the way in green shipping at the Green Port.”
“This is another positive step toward the widespread adoption of alternative fuels in cargo shipping and using cleaner technology to do business at the Port,” said Harbor Commission President Sharon L. Weissman. “Pasha Hawaii shares our long-term commitment for growing sustainably and responsibly.”
Pasha Hawaii is a wholly owned subsidiary of the family-owned global logistics and transportation company, The Pasha Group, one of the nation’s leading Jones Act shipping and integrated logistics companies.