North Carolina-headquartered shipping line, Horizon, which serves the markets of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Guam, is to raise its westbound shipping rates by 3.3 per cent starting January 1, according to Pacific Business News of Honolulu. Last week, Hawaii's Matson Navigation Co announced that it was putting up its rates.With the increase, shippers using Horizon will have to pay an extra US$100 for every container sent to Hawaii. The report explained that if containers are transported via rail on the mainland to a port and then sent to Hawaii, the company will charge $175 more than it does now.
As in the case of Matson, Horizon will also charge $150 more for terminal handling fees on any container entering Hawaii. It currently charges $325. It will also add $75 to the $165 it now charges for containers heading to the mainland.
The shipping line explained in a letter to its customers that it was raising prices to cover the cost of improvements to its ships and facilities, including the $9.5 million it plans to spend on improvements to its Hawaii operations.
The shipping line said that it will add five ships to its Hawaii rotation over the next year, boosting the number from seven to 12. Horizon said it must spend $4.5 million to modify its cranes in Honolulu Harbour to handle the new ships.
As in the case of Matson, Horizon will also charge $150 more for terminal handling fees on any container entering Hawaii. It currently charges $325. It will also add $75 to the $165 it now charges for containers heading to the mainland.
The shipping line explained in a letter to its customers that it was raising prices to cover the cost of improvements to its ships and facilities, including the $9.5 million it plans to spend on improvements to its Hawaii operations.
The shipping line said that it will add five ships to its Hawaii rotation over the next year, boosting the number from seven to 12. Horizon said it must spend $4.5 million to modify its cranes in Honolulu Harbour to handle the new ships.