Matson to raise rates to Hawaii

Matson to raise rates to Hawaii    Matson Navigation Co. said Friday it will raise its rates for its Hawaii service by $100 per westbound container and $50 per eastbound container, effective Jan. 1.
   Matson estimates that the increase will raise rates by an average of 3.3 percent. The increase will be filed with the Surface Transportation Board.
   In addition, the company will raise its terminal handling charge by $150 per westbound container and $75 per eastbound container, also effective Jan. 1. Matson’s current terminal handling charge is $325 westbound and $165 per eastbound container.
   'This rate increase will help offset rises in operating costs and support a number of investments in our Hawaii service,' said Dave Hoppes, senior vice president, ocean services.
   The carrier said terminal handling costs comprise about 40 percent of its operating expenses, or about $300 million annually. 'In the past five years, terminal handling costs, which are driven by many factors that are outside of our control, have risen by 34 percent,' Hoppes said. 'Matson continues to absorb the vast majority of these increases, but needs to pass on some of the costs to our customers.”