Matson Navigation Co. is raising its fuel surcharge again. The company announced it was increasing the fuel surcharge 1.5 percentage points from 15 percent to 16.5 percent for its Hawaii service and from 16.5 percent to 18 percent for its Guam and Micronesia service, effective May 24. The increases are a result of rising fuel-related costs, the company said.
“Fuel costs have stabilized significantly since the dramatic spikes the world experienced from 2005 through 2008,” said Dave Hoppes, senior vice president, ocean services, in a statement. “Unfortunately recent trends have resulted in increases in fuel-related costs that have had an impact on Matson’s operating costs and are an unavoidable expense for transporting goods. This increase is the first action we have taken related to fuel in nearly four months. Since November, bunker fuel prices have risen 10 percent, necessitating this adjustment. We will continue to monitor fuel costs and adjust the fuel surcharge accordingly.”
The increase follows six consecutive decreases in 2008. The last decrease went into effect Nov. 30.
Oakland, Calif.-based Matson is owned by Honolulu-based Alexander & Baldwin Inc. and is Hawaii’s largest ocean shipper.
“Fuel costs have stabilized significantly since the dramatic spikes the world experienced from 2005 through 2008,” said Dave Hoppes, senior vice president, ocean services, in a statement. “Unfortunately recent trends have resulted in increases in fuel-related costs that have had an impact on Matson’s operating costs and are an unavoidable expense for transporting goods. This increase is the first action we have taken related to fuel in nearly four months. Since November, bunker fuel prices have risen 10 percent, necessitating this adjustment. We will continue to monitor fuel costs and adjust the fuel surcharge accordingly.”
The increase follows six consecutive decreases in 2008. The last decrease went into effect Nov. 30.
Oakland, Calif.-based Matson is owned by Honolulu-based Alexander & Baldwin Inc. and is Hawaii’s largest ocean shipper.