Matson raising shipping rates 5.6%

Matson Navigation Co. is increasing its Hawaii service container rates and handling charges effective New Year’s Day.

Matson will increase the Hawaii service rates by $175 per westbound container and $85 per eastbound container, according to a prepared statement released Wednesday.

It will also raise its terminal handling charge by $50 per westbound container and $25 per eastbound container, according to the statement. The charge, implemented in 2003, is designed to recover a portion of costs associated with moving cargo through terminals. For most Hawaii customers the increases will result in shipping costs rising by an average 5.6 percent, according to the company.

The increases will be filed with the Surface Transportation Board.

Dave Hoppes, senior vice president of ocean services, said the rate increase will help offset rising operating costs as well as support investments in Hawaii service.

According to the company, in the past decade, Matson has invested nearly $1 billion in four new container ships, fleet enhancements, new container equipment, information technology and upgrades to its terminal facilities.