Environmental Stewardship
Environmental Stewardship
Our vessels navigate some of the most pristine and environmentally sensitive areas in the Pacific, including the Hawaiian Islands, U.S. coastlines from California to Alaska, and around the islands in the South Pacific. We are committed to protecting these areas by operating our business in an environmentally responsible manner. Our environmental strategy is focused on addressing the impacts from vessel and shoreside operations.
Climate Change
Unprecedented temperatures and more extreme weather worldwide spotlight the potential threats posed by climate change. Stakeholders, including U.S. and international regulators, investors, employees and customers continue to be interested in understanding how companies are reducing their GHG emissions and mitigating their climate-related risks.
As a U.S. maritime transportation company, we believe we have a role to play in working toward a lower carbon future. We have set an interim goal to achieve a 40% reduction in Scope 1 fleet emissions by 2030, measured against a 2016 baseline, and a longer-term goal to achieve net zero Scope 1 fleet emissions by 2050. Our goals and climate transition plan are aligned with the International Maritime Organization’s efforts to support United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13 and the 2015 Paris Agreement through industry-wide climate goals.
Our Climate Transition Plan
Efforts to meet our 2030 and 2050 climate goals include investing in technology and efficiency upgrades, fleet modernization, building new state-of-the-art vessels and adopting a longer term, fuel efficiency strategy. We are also collaborating within our industry to advance new, lower carbon fuel solutions.
Hawaii fleet modernization
- $900 million investment in four LNG-capable vessels with advanced environmental features (vessels delivered 2018-2020)
New vessel construction
- $1B investment in three new LNG-ready Aloha Class vessels with state-of-the-art environmental features (deliveries expected at end of 2026 and 2027)
Fuel efficiency strategy
Adopting a fuel strategy that broadens our fuel mix, starting with LNG:
- $94M investment in LNG installations on Daniel K. Inouye (completed in 2023) and Kaimana Hila (in progress and expected to exit the shipyard in the second half of 2024)
- $72M investment for installation of a new LNG-capable engine and equipment on Manukai (in progress and expected to exit the shipyard in the second half of 2024)
Vessel efficiency
- Implementing new vessel design attributes, exploring structural and technological upgrades, and adapting operations to help improve efficiency and reduce fuel use
Industry collaboration
- Working with the World Shipping Council, Smart Freight Centre’s Clean Cargo group, Blue Sky Maritime Coalition, the Chamber of Shipping of America and SEA-LNG to advance new technologies and low-carbon fuel availability
Air Emissions
Managing air pollutants is important for the ocean shipping industry as emissions of these pollutants can negatively impact human health and the environment. We employ various methods to help reduce our air emissions. Lurline and Matsonia both use Tier 3 engines, which emit approximately 80% less NOX emissions compared to Tier 1 engines, and we plan to install Tier 3 engines on our three new Aloha Class vessels. We also use AMP shore power and low-sulfur fuels to reduce air emissions from vessels while they are in California and China ports.
Ocean Health
A vital natural and economic resource, our oceans support the livelihoods of billions of people, play a critical role in the carbon cycle and help regulate the global climate. As a company that is intimately connected with the health of our oceans, Matson strives to minimize our impacts on the marine environment and to safeguard our seas for future generations.
Explore More
More information on Matson’s climate goals, air emissions and impacts on ocean health can be found in our latest sustainability report.
For more information about our Environmental Stewardship Program, please see:
- Overview of Environmental Stewardship Program
- Environmental Goals
- Vessels
- Terminal Operations
- LEED-certified buildings
- Partnerships