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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Lek Friel, Matson container operations manager, at the Sand Island terminal.
Matson Inc., the state’s largest ocean cargo carrier, said Thursday it will lower its Hawaii fuel surcharge by 5 percentage points to 37.5 percent Nov. 2 to compensate for falling ship fuel prices.
The decrease follows two increases earlier this year — 3 percentage points in June and 5 percentage points in March — imposed by Matson for shipments between the West Coast and Hawaii.
Dave Hoppes, senior vice president of ocean services for the company, said the reduction should save most customers $100 to $175 to ship a container.
"We are pleased to be able to make this downward adjustment to our fuel surcharge," he said in a statement. "We have been encouraged by the recent moderation in bunker fuel prices, and remain focused on diligently exploring ways in which we can maximize fuel efficiency for our fleet."
Matson also is lowering its fuel surcharge for its Guam/Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Micronesia service by 5 percentage points to 38 percent.
