Friede Goldman Halter announced that Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines had exercised an option with Halter Marine (FGH’s vessel construction division) for the construction of a second 579-foot car carrier. The vessel is designed to transport more than 4,300 vehicles between the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii. Construction of the $69 million vessel will take place at Halter’s Pascagoula, Mississippi shipyard. The first vessel is currently under construction at the same facility, with delivery scheduled for the Spring of 2002.

The first vessel was financed under the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Title XI program and financing of the second vessel will also be subject to MARAD's approval. The vessel will be built in compliance with the Jones Act, enabling it to operate between U.S. ports, as well as in foreign trade. A European shipyard has recently delivered five vessels of essentially the same design, and two similar vessels are currently under construction.

The 13,000 deadweight ton ship measures 579 feet overall, with a beam of 102 feet and a design draft of 25 feet. A single screw driven by a slow-speed diesel engine will provide propulsion. The vessel will carry a complement of 23 and will be capable of maintaining a cruising speed of 20 knots. Construction will conform to Det Norske Veritas (DNV) standards and the vessel will be classed as an A1A Car Carrier upon delivery.