24' containers

Matson Navigation's 24' containers:

Matson Navigation Company initiated Pacific containerization in 1958 with a fleet of 24' containers. Matson continues to use 24' containers today on its routes from the West Coast to Hawaii.

During the 1960s, many western American railroads operated small fleets of 24' containers believing that the 24' container would become the standard size for Pacific operations. When the major Japanese shippers entered containerization in 1968 using ISO standard 20' and 40' containers the 24' size was quickly phased out in international trade routes. The railroad-owned container fleets disappeared by the mid-1970s.

MATU 13963R. Classic Matson 24' exterior-post container of 1960's vintage. The blue stylized Matson logo is still visible. In faint red lettering you can barely see the old "SERVES THE PACIFIC" lettering along the bottom. (Photo by Matt Hannes)

MATU 81030. Another Matson relic from the 1960s. This one has the smooth-side sheet and post design. Look carefully and you can see the faded "SERVING ALL HAWAII" logos along the bottom. (Photo by Michael McGowen)

MATS 6485120 and 6485352. Matson 24' fixed-end flat racks with "MATSON INTERMODAL SYSTEM" logos. (Photo by Michael McGowen)

MATS 6488182. A Matson 24' fixed-end flat rack, probably 1970's vintage. Note the "MATSON INTERMODAL SYSTEM" logos. (Photo by Michael McGowen)

MATU 6489240. A newer Matson 24' fixed-end flat rack. (Photo by Michael McGowen)

MATU 6490934. A newer Matson 24' fixed-end flat rack. (Photo by Michael McGowen)

A Matson 24' fixed-end flat rack container. (Photo by Gary Hannes)

MATU 6532460. A newer (1980s) Matson 24' corrugated-side dry van container. (Photo by Ed McCaslin)

MATU 6602947. MATU 6613751. 1980s-era 24' corrugated-side dry vans built by Hyundai. (Photos by Gary Hannes)

MATU 6616684. Another 1980s-era 24' corrugated-side dry van. (Photo by Michael McGowen)

MATU 6621823. This 24' corrugated dry van is decorated in Matson's Zero Overboard Discharge livery. These green containers are used to store garbage on the ships. (Photo by Michael McGowen)

MATU 6851549 and others. Pile of Matson 24' reefers. (Photo by Michael McGowen)

MATU 6854580. A Matson 24' refrigerated container with the huge MATSON logo across the side. (Photo by Matt Hannes)

MATU 6870533. MATU 6871680. More newer Matson 24' reefers. (Photos by Michael McGowen)

MATU 688016. Old (1970s-era) Matson 24' reefer with the "Intermodal System" logo. (Photo by Michael McGowen)

MATU 6001015 (here is another view). This is a newer type B2G1 container assigned for use storing refuse on board ships. (Photos by AJ Burgess)

Other 24' containers:

Many other Pacific shippers and western railroads used 24' containers for compatibility with Matson's operations.

A large stack of Alaska Marine Lines 24' dry van containers at Juneau. (Photo by Matt Hannes)

AMLU 260823. This is a new Alaska Marine Lines 24' long, 8'-6" wide, high cube container. (Photo courtesy of Mathew Thomas)

AMLU 2613567. Another new 24' x 102" wide corrugated high cube dry van. (Photo by Michael McGowen)

CTHU 0510124. Unusual 24' tank container for use in Matson's West Coast-to-Hawaii operation. (Photo by Michael McGowen)

KNKU 024006. I believe this to be a 24-footer in asphalt service to Alaska for Knik Construction. (Photo by Michael McGowen)

SFTU 76023. This 24' container was owned by the AT&SF railroad for interchange with Matson Navigation. The "50118" number in the upper left corner is a Matson-assigned number. Very rare. (Photo by Chris Butts)

UPU 263008. This is an old 24' container owned by UP for compatibility with Matson's operations. This container (long out of service) is now used for storage. (Photo by Matt Hannes)

Puget Sound Van Lines #2289. I'm pretty sure this is a 24' container. That's the only way the three 8'-0" wide containers stacked across the top would fit. Definitely 1960s-era, maybe even late 1950s. Notice the forklift pockets in the center on the bottom. Very cool. (Photo by Michael McGowen)

Close-up of logo on Puget Sound Van Lines #2289. (Photo by Michael McGowen)