Matson starts U.S. West Coast/Hawaii/Guam/China service

Matson starts U.S. West Coast/Hawaii/Guam/China service    U.S. Jones Act shipping line Matson will today launch its new weekly U.S. West Coast/Hawaii/Guam/China service, marking its return to the transpacific trade after an absence of over 35 years and the end of its 10-year vessel operating alliance with APL.
   The 2,890-TEU vessel “Manulani” arrives in Guam today to start the China-Long Beach Express service.
   Matson said it has invested $365 million in vessel, container and terminal assets to launch the five-ship loop, which has a port rotation of: Long Beach, Honolulu, Guam, Ningbo, Shanghai, and back to Long Beach.
   Matson was one of the first container operators in the transpacific until it left the trade in 1970.
   “Developing this successor service has been a high priority for Matson and one that represents a long-term commitment in terms of financial investment and service offerings,” said James Andrasick, Matson president and chief executive officer. “That commitment extends to all of Guam’s neighboring islands, Saipan, Tinian, Rota, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae and Palau.”
   Matson is a wholly owned subsidiary of Honolulu-based Alexander & Baldwin Inc.