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Shipping company Matson Navigation Co. has announced that it will be lowering its fuel surcharge for shipments between the US mainland and Hawaii, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Micronesia, effective Sunday, July 15.

Matson, Hawaii's largest ocean shipper, said that it will be decreasing its fuel charge by 3 percentage points, from 42 to 39 percent, for its Hawaii service.

The new fee is the third to be implemented this year. It follows the 3.5 percent cut announced last month and the surcharge rise of 5 percentage points to 45.5 percent on February 26. That adjustment followed three consecutive decreases over a six-week period between August 28 and October 9 last year.

Matson will also be reducing its fuel surcharge for shipments to Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Micronesia by 3 percentage points from 38.5 to 35.5 percent.

"We are pleased to be able to make this second consecutive downward adjustment to our fuel surcharge, which for most customers represents a reduction in shipping costs ranging from $70 to $120 per container," said Dave Hoppes, senior vice president, ocean services.

"We have been encouraged by the recent moderation in bunker fuel prices, and remain focused on diligently exploring ways in which we can maximize fuel efficiency for our Hawaii and Guam services. Matson has made a practice of giving 30 days notice for upward rate adjustments, but passes on downward adjustments to our customers as soon as possible. We will continue to monitor fuel costs and adjust the surcharge accordingly," commented Hoppes.

Please find below a surcharge summary for Matson's Hawaii service since February 2008.

Feb 4, 2008 - 31.5%
Apr 6, 2008 - 33.75%
Jul 13, 2008 - 38.25%
Aug 31, 2008 - 42.25%
Sep 21, 2008 - 37.50%
Oct 12, 2008 - 33.0%
Oct 19, 2008 - 27.0%
Nov 2, 2008 - 25.0%
Nov 16, 2008 - 19.5%
Nov 30, 2008 - 15.0%
May 24, 2009 - 16.5%
Jun 21, 2009 - 20.0%
Jul 5, 2009 - 28.0%
Oct. 4, 2009 - 24.0%
Feb. 7, 2010 - 27.5%
Jul 18, 2010 - 25.5%
Sep 12, 2010 - 21.75%
Feb 27, 2011 - 26.5%
May 1, 2011 - 43.5%
Jun 12, 2011 - 47.5%
Aug 28, 2011 - 45.5%
Sep 25, 2011 - 42.5%
Oct 9, 2011 - 40.5%
Feb 26, 2012 - 45.5%
June 17, 2012 - 42.0%
Jul 15, 2012 - 39.0%