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Shipping firm Matson Navigation Co. has announced that it will be increasing its fuel surcharge for shipments between the US mainland and Hawaii, Guam and Micronesia, effective February 27th.

The company said that the surcharge rise was in response to falling prices for bunker fuel.

Matson, Hawaii's largest ocean shipper, said that it will be raising its fuel charge by 4.75 percentage points, from 21.75 percent to 26.5 percent, for its Hawaii service.

Matson will also be upping its fuel surcharge for shipments to Guam/Micronesia by 4.75 percentage points from 23.25 percent to 28 percent.

Dave Hoppes, senior vice president for ocean services, pointed out that this month's surcharge rise will be the first increase the company has made since February 2010, adding that the company actually lowered its fuel surcharge twice in July and September of last year.

Please find below a surcharge summary for Matson's Hawaii service.

Feb. 4, 2008 - 31.5%
April 6, 2008 - 33.75%
July 13, 2008 - 38.25%
Aug. 31, 2008 - 42.25%
Sept. 21, 2008 - 37.50%
Oct. 12, 2008 - 33.0%
Oct. 19, 2008 - 27.0%
Nov. 2, 2008 - 25.0%
Nov. 16, 2008 - 19.5%
Nov. 30, 2008 - 15.0%
May 24, 2009 - 16.5%
June 21, 2009 - 20.0%
July 5, 2009 - 28.0%
Oct. 4, 2009 - 24.0%
Feb. 7, 2010 - 27.5%
July 18, 2010 - 25.5%
Sept. 12, 2010 - 21.75%
Feb. 27, 2011 - 26.5%