Young Brothers has launched a new barge, the “Kaholo.” Its new straight roll-on/roll-off (Ro/Ro) barge, has arrived in the islands and is ready for interisland service. The barge is the first to be developed as part of a $186 million
Young Brothers has launched a new barge, the “Kaholo.”
Its new straight roll-on/roll-off (Ro/Ro) barge, has arrived in the islands and is ready for interisland service. The barge is the first to be developed as part of a $186 million investment announced last year by Hawai‘i’s largest interisland cargo company.
The multi-deck Ro/Ro barge has the capacity to carry more than 500 automobiles and is enclosed to protect vehicles from sun and saltwater.
In addition to providing better protection for the vehicles, the new barge significantly enhances service by increasing vehicle capacity, as well as making more space available on other barges for container freight.
“The barge will allow us to operate quickly and efficiently at higher service levels,” said Mark Houghton, Young Brothers’ marine operations vice-president, in a press release. “We’ve stepped up our customer commitment another level, and we’re confident new and existing customers will be very pleased,” he added, in the release.
The barge arrived in Honolulu on March 6, and will run a weekly service from Honolulu to Kahului, Hilo, Kawaihae and Nawiliwili. The company will evaluate customers’ needs while running the initial service and will adjust routes if required.
