Matson Navigation Co. plans to cut its fuel surcharge for the sixth consecutive time, right before boosting its shipping rates and terminal handling fee for Hawaii customers.

The state's largest ocean carrier is lowering its fuel surcharge Sunday by 4.5 percentage points to 15 percent from 19.5 percent for shipments between Hawaii and the mainland. The fee for its Guam/Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Micronesia service also will decrease by 4.5 percentage points to 16.5 percent from 21 percent the same day.

“;Following an extended period in which oil costs hit historical record highs, we have been able to reduce Matson's fuel surcharge by 27.25 percentage points in a relatively short time frame,”; said Dave Hoppes, Matson senior vice president of ocean services. “;We are hopeful this current trend will continue, resulting in further decreases.”;

Most customers will see a reduction in shipping costs ranging from $110 to $170 per container under the latest decrease. Most customers have seen a decrease in shipping costs ranging from $640 to $1,015 since September.

Matson's last adjustment to its fuel surcharge was a decrease of 5.5 percentage points for its Hawaii, Guam/CNMI and Micronesia services on Nov. 16.

A spokesman for Horizon Lines Inc. said the company is reviewing Matson's rate hikes but that the company would match Matson's fuel-surcharge reduction, effective Sunday. A spokesman for Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines didn't return calls for comment.

Matson announced Tuesday that shipping fees will rise by an average 3.9 percent for Hawaii, or $120 per westbound container and $60 per eastbound Jan. 4.