Horizon matches Matson fuel surcharge increase

Horizon matches Matson fuel surcharge increase Jones Act carrier Horizon Lines said Tuesday it will increase the fuel surcharge for its Hawaii, Guam and Micronesia services to 33.75 percent, effective April 7, citing the continued climb in the price of bunker fuel.
   The 2.25 percent increase by the No. 2 two carrier servicing the Hawaiian Islands, will bring Horizon's surcharge in line with trade leading rival Matson Navigation, which last week said it would raise its fuel surcharges on Hawaii, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and Micronesia services to 33.75, effective April 6.
   'The rapid rise in fuel prices requires that we do even more to improve fuel efficiency and cost recovery across our entire network,' said John Keenan, president of Horizon Lines. 'As fuel prices hit new highs almost every day, we will work internally with our associates to improve efficiency and with our customers to address cost recovery.'
   Matson's and Horizon's increases are the seventh fuel surcharge hike for the two carriers since January 2007, when the surcharge was 17.5 percent.
   Charlotte, N.C.-based Horizon also announced a new set of fuel-saving initiatives including maintenance programs for ship hulls and propellers and educating vessel captains to identify appropriate changes in speed or course that would lower fuel consumption.
   The firm also predicts it will see further fuel-efficiency gains from its participation in the SmartWay Transport Partnership. The project is a collaborative effort partnering the trade industry with the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.