To meet the need for more cargo capacity in the Hawaii trade, the Lurline was converted from a roll-on, roll-off vessel to a combination ro-ro, and lift-on, lift-off containership. In 1982, the ship began its service as a new ro-lo cargo ship. Later, the ro-ro vessel Matsonia was converted into a lift-on/roll-off vessel by installing a new mid-body and a new four tier 422-auto capacity garage on the stern of the ship.
