Matson increasing fuel surcharge

by Nick Delgado

Guam - Matson announced it's raising its fuel surcharge by 4.5 percentage points. Pacific Business News reports, The service to Guam and Micronesia will increase from 35.5. to 40 percent. The shipping company cited rising bunker fuel and other energy-related costs as the reason for the increase. Senior VP of ocean services Dave Hoppes states, "Since announcing our last decrease in mid-July, bunker fuel prices have risen over 13 percent. Energy-related expenses continue to be a significant cost factor for most businesses, as well as consumers, with transportation companies especially hard hit." The change will take effect on October 7.