Young Brothers Invests in New Barges

Young Brothers News Release

Young Brothers recently christened the new Kalohi and Naulu barges, marking a key milestone in their $45 million investment to boost interisland shipping reliability. Set to enter service in December 2024, these barges will enhance cargo capacity and feature advanced technology for safer, more efficient loading and unloading.

The Kalohi is a nimble 286-foot barge designed to service smaller ports like Kaunakakai, Molokai and Kaumalapau, Lanai. The Naulu, a 365-foot vessel with the largest cargo capacity in Young Brothers’ fleet, allows for increased cargo transport during peak periods and operational efficiencies during off-peak times. Both barges feature advanced ballast technology for stability in varying ocean conditions and multiple cargo ramps for improved loading and unloading efficiency.

Ballast technology raises or lowers the vessels in response to changing tidal and ocean conditions, increasing stability, safety and efficiency when loading and unloading cargo in the challenging ocean conditions often present at Young Brothers’ port locations. Additional cargo ramps across the barges give employees greater flexibility and enable greater efficiency in safely loading and discharging cargo.

“The addition of these state-of-the-art vessels – the first new barges in nearly 20 years – is a major step forward in modernizing Young Brothers’ fleet and ensures we are well-positioned to deliver the frequent and reliable interisland shipping service to power Hawaii’s economy and connect our island communities,” said Jay Ana, president of Young Brothers.

The vessels were custom-designed by Hockema Group, a Washington-based naval architecture firm, and built by Conrad Shipyard, a national leader in the construction of ships for commercial customers and the U.S. government.