MV Jean Anne marks first year in Jones Act service as Pasha Hawaii seeks to build second ship in U.S.

MV Jean Anne marks first year in Jones Act service as Pasha Hawaii seeks to build second ship in U.S.

The new U.S.-flagged car and truck carrier Jean Anne this month will mark its first anniversary in domestic service--and the ship's owner is in the market for a second vessel for the same trade.

Manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers, the Jean Anne is operated by Interocean American Shipping for Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines, a joint venture between the Pasha Group and Strong Vessel Operators.

Built at National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. in San Diego, the vessel shuttles between California and Hawaii under the Jones Act of 1920. The law requires that cargo vessels operating between ports in the U.S. and between the U.S. mainland and the remote states and territories of Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and Puerto Rico be owned, built, flagged and manned in the United States.

"As we approach the one-year mark of Jean Anne's ocean crossings, it's an excellent time to review our track record," said George W. Pasha IV, president of Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines. "Through the first 20 voyages, she has not only met but has exceeded our expectations for shipments of vehicles, as well as for over-high and wide cargo. The volume and variety of cargo carried increases with each voyage, and our customer base continues to expand--we have established a reputation as a successful Hawaii-mainland liner company, the first in decades, and we take great pride in this accomplishment."

Tom Bethel, national executive vice president of AMO, also commented as the anniversary approached.

"Our union has had a strong, skilled hand in the success of this particular Pasha venture," Bethel said. "Every officer who has served aboard the Jean Anne has demonstrated the professionalism and commitment to excellence that are hallmarks of AMO. We anticipate this fleet's growth in Jones Act service."

Gayle Murphy Burns, manager of corporate marketing for the Pasha Group, said in the Feb. 27 edition of the weekly Journal of Commerce that Pasha is negotiating with U.S. shipyards to build a second car carrier for the California-Hawaii run. "It's what the market wants," she explained, citing increased demand for efficient roll-on/roll-off service. "We've always planned to have a second ship in order to provide a weekly service."

Construction of the Jean Anne, which can carry 3,000 vehicles, was financed with commercial loans guaranteed by the Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration under Title XI of the 1936 Merchant Marine Act. The Office of Management and Budget wants to eliminate the Title XI program, but Pasha has said that would not cause the company to cancel its plans for the second ship because the market remains strong.

"Our presence in the trade is generating a great deal of favorable interest, and we expect this to grow in 2006," George Pasha IV said. "Supported by our experienced operations team and the expertise of our stevedores in Hawaii and San Diego, each voyage proves more successful than the last.

"The crew of the Jean Anne continues to artfully traverse the nautical slalom course of the Hawaiian Islands and has added Nawiliwili as a scheduled port of call before or after Honolulu, depending on weather and cargo," Pasha continued. "Due to stormy seas, the Jean Anne recently bypassed Hilo, but was able to fill the port call on her way to Honolulu after discharging cargo in Maui. Even under adverse sailing conditions, she maintained her scheduled Monday night arrival in San Diego.

"Our goal of bringing superior transportation service to Hawaii has been accomplished," Pasha concluded. "Our mission is to provide a quality shipping experience to a growing number of customers. We are proud of the foundation that we have created in a short period of time and are eager to build on our success over many voyages to come."

The storm referred to by Pasha occurred in October 2005 as the Jean Anne approached Hilo Harbor with winds between 25 and 30 knots and 20-foot seas. The ship detoured to Maui but returned to Hilo and completed cargo operations on schedule.

"Due to the quick and decisive decision-making by the operations team and crew, the vessel was able to work around her first port shut-out because of weather and maintain her perfect schedule record," the Pasha Group said.

The Pasha Group reported that the Jean Anne had scored a 98 percent satisfaction rate in customer surveys, which are conducted by Pasha after each voyage. "That's an extraordinary score by any standard," said Reggie Maldonado, the Pasha Group's general manager in Hawaii.

In a related development, American Ship Review named the Jean Anne its 2005 "Ship of the Year." The review--which is published annually by Professional Mariner magazine--described the vessel as "one of a kind."

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