OAKLAND, Calif., Oct 25, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- In response to Horizon Lines' announcement that it will be discontinuing its Guam service effective November 10, Matson assured customers that it has the vessel capacity and necessary equipment to handle the additional volume and maintain existing levels of service without requiring any new fleet deployments. Matson's U.S.-flag ships currently provide weekly service to Guam and have available capacity to absorb the increased demand. In addition, the financial stability of Matson's Guam service, which includes calls in Hawaii and China, has a solid track record that has weathered volatility in the Transpacific trade in recent years.

"Matson has been serving Guam continuously since 1996 and remains firmly committed to delivering reliable vessel schedules for the region's business community," said Dave Hoppes, senior vice president, ocean services. "Our service encompasses all major ports on the West Coast, with Honolulu serving as a transshipment hub for Guam-destined cargo. We will do what is necessary to ensure that all Guam cargo currently moved from the U.S. will be efficiently accommodated, without compromising the service standards that Guam's business community knows today. That commitment extends to the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. While we fully expect a new entrant to succeed Horizon Lines in the future, we are confident we can provide the needed stability in the trade during this transition period as well as over the long haul."

Matson has begun mobilizing its sales and operations teams on the U.S. Mainland and in Guam to meet the challenges faced by the businesses impacted by the upcoming change in service. The company will focus on ensuring that the transition is as smooth as possible and that all service issues are addressed.

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

SOURCE: Matson

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