Navy acquires Hawaii ‘superferries’

   The U.S. Navy has acquired from the Maritime Administration two high-speed ferryboats originally built for moving passengers and vehicles in Hawaii for $35 million.
   The Alakai and Huakai were sold after their owner, Hawaii Superferry, was unable to operate them in Hawaii after opposition by environmentalists. Only one of the two ferries operated for a short period. The company eventually went bankrupt and defaulted on the Title XI loan guarantee that MarAd had given it. The ships were built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala.
   The $35 million price tag appears to be a bargain – the cost of building the two ships was estimated at $178 million when MarAd committed $139.7 million for a Title XI loan guarantee in January 2005. It was the only project for which MarAd issued a loan guarantee that year.
   The ships are currently docked at Lamberts Point in Norfolk, Va., and MarAd said the Navy plans to use them to transport troops and equipment to training areas from Okinawa, Japan, and other locations.
   “These vessels will help the Navy meet these unique operational requirements without the need to build new vessels,” MarAd said. “Powered by waterjet engines, the catamarans can each carry 288 cars and 866 passengers.” — Chris Dupin