The announced increase, according to a release by Horizon Lines, has been filed with the Surface Transportation Board covering tariffs 353, 344, and 961 — tariffs that govern shipments moving between the U.S. mainland, Guam and the Northern Marianas.
Citing rising fuel prices, Matson and Horizon recently hiked their shipping rates by 4.75 percent.
Matson announced the increase on Jan. 29 and was followed by Horizon Lines on Jan. 31 effectively raising their fuel surcharge from 23.25 percent to 28 percent on Feb. 27.
Kyle Calabrese, outgoing executive director, Saipan Chamber of Commerce, said in a previous statement: “The increase in shipping rates will unfortunately affect every consumer — local and tourist — in our community. The reality is, however, that world fuel prices have risen substantially over the past few months. We see the effects of this most dramatically at the gas pump and in our utility bills. Shipping companies are not exempt from these rising costs.”
Horizon Lines said it will continue to monitor fuel costs and will adjust the fuel surcharge as trends warrant.
