Matson Navigation Company
| File:Matson logo.jpg | |
| File:Matson GGB.JPG A Matson container vessel navigating beneath the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, US. | |
| Company type | Public |
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| Industry | Shipping, navigation |
| Founded | April 10, 1882 (originally Matson Navigation Company) |
| Headquarters | Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Matthew J. Cox (Chairman and CEO) |
| Revenue | Increase Template:US$ (2024) |
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| Total assets | Increase Template:US$ (2024) |
| Total equity | Increase Template:US$ (2024) |
Number of employees | 4,356 (2024) |
| Website | matson |
Matson, Inc., based in Honolulu, Hawaii, stands as a prominent American enterprise specializing in shipping and navigation services, with origins dating back to 1882. Its subsidiary, Matson Navigation Company, manages maritime transportation across the Pacific Ocean serving destinations including Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Micronesia, various Pacific islands, China, and Japan.
History
The company was established by Swedish immigrant entrepreneur William Matson (1849–1917), who initiated operations in 1882 with his schooner Emma Claudina voyaging to Hawaii. With financial backing from industrialist Claus Spreckels, Matson transitioned from transporting plantation goods to exporting sugar, securing a dominant role in Pacific commerce.
In 1924, Matson finalized construction of its headquarters at 215 Market Street in San Francisco—an iconic structure featuring an observation tower designed for overseeing its fleet. Although the building was later sold to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, it continues to bear Matson’s historic insignia.
Following World War II, Matson briefly ventured into airline operations connecting the Pacific Coast with Hawaii; however, regulatory obstacles influenced by Pan American World Airways led to the discontinuation of this service.
On December 1, 2011, Matson separated from its parent company Alexander & Baldwin, becoming an independent publicly traded corporation headquartered in Honolulu.
To strengthen its position within the U.S. domestic shipping market, Matson acquired principal rival Horizon Lines in 2015 for $469 million.
As part of its ongoing expansion and fleet enhancement strategy, Matson commissioned Philly Shipyard in 2022 to construct three new Jones Act-compliant container vessels at a cost of $1 billion. These additions complement sister ships delivered in 2018 and 2019 and bolster Matson’s operational capacity on critical Pacific routes.
Passenger ships
Though primarily focused on cargo transport, Matson entered the passenger liner market starting in 1908 to capitalize on growing tourism demand. After the death of founder John D. Spreckels in 1926, Matson acquired the Oceanic Steamship Company (Spreckels Line), incorporating three trans-Pacific liners such as the SS Sonoma into its fleet.
From the early 1900s through the 1970s, Matson operated passenger liners departing from West Coast ports like San Francisco and Los Angeles bound for Honolulu, South Pacific locations, and ports including Sydney, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand. Among these vessels were some of the first passenger ships equipped with aft-mounted engines.
The fleet’s notable "white ships of Matson" comprised Malolo (later renamed Matsonia), Lurline, Mariposa, and Monterey. The widespread adoption of commercial air travel significantly diminished demand for ocean liner passenger service, resulting in these ships being retired by the late 1970s.
Hotels
Matson expanded into the hospitality sector in 1925 by obtaining a majority stake in the renowned Moana Hotel located in Waikiki, Oahu. They subsequently developed the neighboring Royal Hawaiian Hotel in 1927, followed by the SurfRider Hotel in 1952, which has since been integrated into the Moana. In 1955, they added the Princess Kaiulani Hotel to their portfolio. By 1959, Matson divested these four hotel properties to Sheraton Hotels, thereby concluding their involvement in hotel management.
Current fleet
Matson operates a fleet of U.S.-flagged cargo vessels, which consists of:
- Anchorage / Kodiak / Tacoma (a trio of sister ships)
- Daniel K. Inouye / Kaimana Hila (sister ships of the Aloha Class)
- Imua II / Liloa II (paired sister vessels)
- Kamokuiki
- Lihue
- Lurline / Matsonia (sister ships belonging to the Kanaloa Class)
- Manoa / Mahimahi (C9 class sister ships)
- Manulani / Maunawili / Manukai (a group of sister ships)
- Maunalei
- Mokihana (C9 model featuring a garage conversion)
- Papa Mau
- R.J. Pfeiffer
- Haleakala
- Mauna Loa
- Waialeale