Horizon Lines raising fuel surcharge to record level

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

27 Dec 2007

Rising oil prices are pushing up shipping rates again as Horizon Lines has notified customers it will raise its fuel surcharge to a record high. Horizon is increasing its fuel surcharge by three percentage points to a record 32 percent on February fourth. Horizon is Hawaii's second-largest shipper.  Matson Navigation Company, the state's largest ocean shipper, said Monday it was reviewing Horizon's increase.  Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines, which ships vehicles between Hawaii and San Diego, also said it will reassess its surcharge.  Both Matson and Pasha currently assess a 29 percent fuel surcharge. Horizon's latest increase means it has more than doubled its fuel surcharge since the beginning of 2006, when it was at 15 percent. In 2007 alone, Horizon raised its fuel surcharge five times.