OAKLAND, Calif., Mar 02, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Matson Navigation Company announced today that it is expanding its presence in China to include the southern port of Xiamen in the company's China - Long Beach Express (CLX). With the additional port call, Matson will provide the Xiamen region with a number of service features that have made Matson's CLX service among the best in the Transpacific trade, including industry leading on time arrivals, next day cargo availability on the West Coast and one-stop intermodal connections through Matson's logistics unit, Matson Integrated Logistics. Matson's service from Ningbo and Shanghai will remain unchanged, continuing to deliver the fastest transit times available between central China and Southern California. The expansion will be implemented in May.

"Matson is unique in the Transpacific trade in that the company operates a service that encompasses both the U.S. domestic ports of Honolulu and Guam on its westbound leg and the China ports of Ningbo and Shanghai on its eastbound voyage," said Dave Hoppes, senior vice president, ocean services. "Since the CLX service was inaugurated in 2006, Matson has consistently demonstrated its ability to provide customers with dependable vessel schedules and service efficiencies that are measured in hours, not days. By adding Xiamen to the Transpacific route, Matson will be able to build on network operating efficiencies and better utilize the vessels deployed in the service during the Guam - Ningbo portion of the voyage, while concurrently strengthening the company's geographic reach in serving both central and southern China."

Hoppes added: "Matson is proud to welcome Xiamen to our CLX service, allowing the company to further develop its reputation in the Transpacific for quality service, fast and efficient cargo throughput and an on time arrival record that is among the best in the industry. We look forward to establishing new relationships with customers who are seeking ways to effectively improve their supply chains, whether it be through dependable vessel schedules, responsive customer service or online shipment management capabilities."

Matson provides ocean transportation services to Hawaii, Guam, China and Micronesia, as well as logistics services through its subsidiary, Matson Integrated Logistics. Matson is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. of Honolulu (NYSE:AXB).

SOURCE: Matson

Matson
Jeff Hull, 510-628-4534 (public relations)
JHull@matson.com