Matson launches new U.S. flag Marshall Islands service
Matson, Inc. (NYSE: MATX), a leading U.S. carrier in the Pacific, has launched its new direct U.S. flag service between Honolulu and the Republic of the Marshall Islands ("RMI"), reducing cargo transit times to the RMI from the U.S. mainland by as many as eight days. The new service will call at three ports in the RMI - Kwajalein, Ebeye and Majuro every 17 days, the company said in a press release.
Matson purchased a 700-TEU, U.S.-flagged containership to operate the new service. Christened Kamokuiki, or 'small island or vessel' in the Hawaiian language, the vessel is well suited to serving island communities with two 45 ton cranes onboard, hydraulic folding hatch covers and high maneuverability that allows docking without tugs.
The vessel's first voyage KAM002 departed Honolulu on Saturday and will arrive at Kwajalein on Saturday, November 3.
Matson has served the RMI since 1972. It currently serves Kwajalein, Ebeye and Majuro from the U.S. West Coast via Guam, where westbound containerized and bulk cargo is transshipped to Matson'sMicronesia service. The new service from the U.S. West Coast to Kwajalein, Ebeye and Majuro via Honolulu will deliver cargo with a transit time of approximately two weeks, compared to three weeks or more with the current service.
Along with unrivaled transit times, advantages of the new service include Matson's dedicated terminal operations at Seattle, Oakland and Long Beach, offering shippers late cut-off times, industry-leading truck turn times and use of Matson's extensive owned chassis inventory.
"Matson has been consistently rated the #1 ocean carrier in the world because of its commitment to operating the fastest and most reliable service in the markets we serve," said John Lauer, Chief Commercial Officer. "We are excited to bring U.S. flag service and shorter transit times from the U.S. West Coast to Kwajalein, Ebeye and Majuro."
About Matson
Founded in 1882, Matson is a leading provider of ocean transportation and logistics services. Matson provides a vital lifeline to the domestic non-contiguous economies of Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam, and to other island economies in Micronesia. Matson also operates a premium, expedited service from China to Southern California and provides services to Okinawa, Japan and various islands in the South Pacific. The Company's fleet of owned and chartered vessels includes containerships, combination container and roll-on/roll-off ships and custom-designed barges. Matson Logistics, established in 1987, extends the geographic reach of Matson's transportation network throughout the continental U.S. Its integrated, asset-light logistics services include rail intermodal, highway brokerage, warehousing, freight consolidation, Asia supply chain services, and forwarding to Alaska.