Shipping company Matson has seen unprecedented levels of demand in the Transpacific and South Pacific trade lanes.

To meet this demand, Matson has added capacity in the Transpacific and South Pacific trade lanes to help accommodate customer needs.

Director corporate communications, Keoni Wagner said the supply chain has been moving more volume than ever before.

However, the effects of the pandemic can be felt within labor constraints faced by the company throughout the supply chain causing widespread delays.

“Matson is currently operating 12 ships in the China Transpacific trade lane. We normally have three vessels sailing to Fiji every month out of New Zealand.”

“The Olomana and Imua are making their normal calls to Fiji.”

“We are also adding a third call with the Papa Mau to support high demand in the market,” he said.

Performance Results
Matson shipping had announced an increase in its operating income of US$16.0 million (FJ$33.51 M) for the third quarter 2021.

In its third quarter 2021 report, it revealed that the operating income was US$4.1M (FJ$ 8.59M) higher compared to the level recorded in the third quarter 2020.

“The increase was due primarily to higher contributions from supply chain management and transportation brokerage as a result of elevated goods consumption, inventory restocking and favorable supply and demand fundamentals in our core markets”

Mr Wagner said Matson’s shipping services represented lifelines to geographically remote communities throughout the Pacific.

He said this has made shipping services particularly crucial during this pandemic time.

“In the South Pacific trade lane, our vessels serve the major island markets of Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, American Samoa, the Cook Islands and Niue into and out of New Zealand.”

“We also connect freight to and from the United States with our South Pacific Express (SPX) service,” said Mr Wagner.

Mr Wagner added that Matson is expecting an increase in demand for its shipping services during the peak season in the latter half of the year, to reaching maximum levels in the fourth quarter.

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