Jean Anne Launches!
Tuesday, October 19, 2004(Pascagoula, MS) – The first Pure Car and Truck Carrier of its kind to be built in the United States, the 579-foot vessel MV Jean Anne, launched this week. The launch, taking place over two days, required more than 6,150 steel rollers to move the 13,000 ton ship across the shipyard on to a dry-dock where she was slowly lowered into the water. Owned and operated by Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines, and built in Pascagoula, MS by VT Halter Marine, the MV Jean Anne will provide roll on/roll off (Ro/Ro) service for automobiles and over high and wide cargoes from the West Coast to the Hawaiian Islands beginning in the first quarter of 2005.
Equipped with a MAN B&W diesel engine rated at 14,830 HP, the Jean Anne can achieve a service speed of 20 knots. The 579-foot vessel will carry approximately 3,000 U.S.- sized automobiles on 10 cargo-carrying decks. Three of the ship's decks are hoistable with overhead heights of 16.7 feet, allowing for more than 120,000 square feet of cargo space for construction equipment and oversized vehicles. The ship also features a 100-ton capacity stern ramp and a 20-ton side ramp for ease of loading and discharge.
The vessel's Ro/Ro design provides the industry-preferred method of transporting vehicles and other rolling stock. With minimal port time due its faster loading and discharge capability, the Jean Anne offers a better solution for Hawaii's and California's busy ports.
Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines is a joint venture between The Pasha Group, a Corte Madera, California-based leading global transportation and logistics provider, and Strong Vessel Operators LLC, a Stamford, Connecticut-based ship owner and operator.
"Congratulations to VT Halter Marine in achieving the most significant milestone to date – the successful launching of the Jean Anne. We appreciate the hard work and dedication shown by the entire VT Halter Marine team and we look forward to her successful delivery from the shipyard in early 2005 and the commencement of our dedicated Roll on /Roll off Service to Hawaii in early March," said George W. Pasha, IV, president of Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines.
Financed under the U.S. Government's Title XI program and built in compliance with the Jones Act to operate in the domestic trade, the Jean Anne is one of the largest vessels to be built and launched by VT Halter Marine. VT Halter Marine builds mid-sized ocean-going vessels such as patrol boats, oil recovery and cargo vessels, ferries, and research ships.
"The Jean Anne represents a significant step in VT Halter Marine's expanding capabilities to build larger, more sophisticated vessels,” said Boyd E. King, CEO, VT Halter Marine. "Our partnership with Pasha Hawaii has been a key component to the success of the Jean Anne's construction process."
About The Pasha Group Headquartered in Corte Madera, California, The Pasha Group is a 57-year-old diversified international logistics and transportation services company. Pasha provides specialized services in maritime terminal management; processing and total supply chain logistics of finished and privately owned vehicles; relocation services for the U.S. Government and corporations; domestic and international logistics management for general commodity and project cargoes; and vessel stevedoring of vehicles, steel products, general cargoes and containers.