Matson raises fuel surcharge

The shipper's rate increase is coming on the heels of hikes by Horizon and Pasha

Matson Navigation Co., following the lead of rivals Horizon Lines and Pasha Hawaii, said today it is raising its fuel surcharge 1.25 percentage points to 20.75 percent beginning May 6.

The increase is the second in a row from Matson and comes after three straight declines over a four-month period between Oct. 1, 2006, and Jan. 28, 2007.

"Current trends are on the rise again and returning to record-high levels," Matson spokesman Jeff Hull said. "This is due to an increase in bunker fuel and other energy-related costs."

Earlier this week, Horizon said it will boosting its fuel surcharge 1.25 percentage points to 20.75 percent, effective May 6, while Pasha Hawaii said it will raise its surcharge 2 percentage points to 19.5 percent, effective May 9.

Despite the fuel-surcharge increase, Matson said it will keep its flat fee of $975 for shipping personally owned vehicles to remain competitive with Pasha, which said it will stay at that level. Pasha's surcharge increase will apply to oversized cargo, such as cranes and large trucks.

Horizon said its surcharge was across the board, and it now will charge $983 to ship private vehicles. However, the company left open the door for a later decision to match Pasha and Matson on privately owned vehicles.