After Hurricane Lane weakened into a tropical storm and turned west, away from Hawaii, US Coast Guard Sector Honolulu reopened most of Hawaii’s commercial seaports. Only Lanai’s Kalamauapau Harbour remained closed, pending an inspection, and that was expected to be reopened soon.
Coast Guard Captain of the Port Captain Michael Long said that cargo vessels and barges offshore could bring in their cargo, while cargo already at the port could be processed and distributed to Hawaii. He said that the USGC was continuing damage assessments.
Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources worked with the USCG and industry to assess the ports early on Saturday August 25th.
Once the Port of Honolulu reopened, containership Horizon Pacific (IMO 7617890) was the first merchant vessel to enter and offload its cargo. Matson Navigation Inc vessel Mahimahi (IMO 7907996) arrived at Honolulu shortly after and unloaded about 600 containers. Mahimahi had called last week and discharged about 540 containers, but had to leave before completion due to the approaching storm and the closure of the port.
Matson Navigation has five container ships with a total of 3,500 containers scheduled to call at Honolulu by today, Wednesday August 29th. It has also activated one of its four reserve ships, the Consumer, to provide additional capacity. Matson’s barge services to outlying islands have also resumed. Barge Columbia arrived at Hilo Port, main island on the morning of August 25th, carrying about 120 containers.
1979-built, USA-flagged, 28,219 gt Horizon Pacific is owned by Sunrise Pacific LLC care of manager Pasha Hawaii Holdings of Honolulu, Hawaii. ISM manager is Sunrise Vessel Operations LLC of California. It is entered with Standard Club (UK & Americas Division) on behalf of Sunrise Pacific LLC.
1983-built, USA-flagged, 41,036 gt Mahimahi is owned and managed by Matson Navigation Inc of Hawaii, USA. It is entered with Standard Club on behalf of Matscon Navigation Inc