Matson to raise fuel surcharge 2%

Matson to raise fuel surcharge 2%    Domestic ocean carrier Matson Navigation Co. said Friday it will increase its fuel surcharge on its Hawaii and Guam/Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands services from 13 percent to 15 percent, effective Jan. 1.
   “Bunker fuel prices continue to be at or near record high levels,” said Dave Hoppes, Matson’s senior vice president, ocean services. “In the past three months, bunker fuel prices have risen over 21 percent, necessitating this new adjustment. In total, the price that Matson has paid for fuel has risen 68 percent in the past year. We are anticipating a continued rising trend in fuel prices over the next quarter.”
   In March, Matson implemented a program in which fuel costs are evaluated on a quarterly basis, with the fuel surcharge adjustments announced 21 days in advance of implementation.