MarAd explores Hawaii ‘superferries?

MarAd explores Hawaii æsuperferriesÆ    The U.S. Maritime Administration said it has acquired the two high-speed ferries Alakai and Huakai that were built for Hawaii Superferry in a credit bid at auction on Sept. 30 in Norfolk, Va.
   MarAd said this means it was allowed to bid for the two ships using the original $150 million Title XI guarantee the Federal Government had already spent on the boats.
   Hawaii Superferry went bankrupt in 2009 after the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that a state law allowing the company to operate its ships without a complete environmental impact statement was unconstitutional.
   “To protect the financial interest of the American people, MarAd worked closely with the Department of Justice to obtain the ferries at auction,” the agency said in a statement.
   MarAd said the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia confirmed the sale to MarAd last week and that it expects to receive titles to the vessels within 10 days.
   It said it continues to explore options for the best use of the vessels, which are tied up in Norfolk.