Matson changes bunker charge method

Matson changes bunker charge method    Matson Navigation said Friday it will raise its fuel surcharge for U.S. mainland/Hawaii/Guam/Northern Mariana Islands cargo shipments from 9.2 to 10.5 percent, effective April 18, and said it will calculate fuel charges quarterly in future.
   Matson said the higher bunker charge is due to “sustained increases in fuel costs.” In the past two months, bunker fuel prices have risen 20 percent.
   “Many of the major railroads, trucking companies and international ocean carriers currently have fuel surcharges exceeding 13 percent,” said Dave Hoppes, vice president, ocean services at Matson.
   Instead of ad hoc changes in its fuel charge, Matson will now review its level quarterly, with the fuel surcharge adjusted accordingly. Any adjustments will become effective after a 21-day notice by Matson, with the effective date being the first Sunday of the respective month. No adjustments will be made between these quarterly reviews, the Jones Act carrier said.