US shipping firm doubles down on long-term LNG strategy

Hawaii-based shipping firm Matson has identified LNG as the fuel of choice for its long-term fleet strategy, citing the limited availability and higher cost of low- and zero-emission fuels, as well as constraints around bunker infrastructure.

IMAGE: The Matson-owned container ship, Lurline. Matson

Matson currently operates three LNG-capable vessels and has another three on order for delivery by 2028.

LNG is the most suitable long-term transition fuel for Matson amid challenges in developing the infrastructure needed to produce, supply, distribute and bunker low- and zero-emission fuels, the carrier said in its 2025 sustainability report.

LNG's case is strenghtened by limited availability and high cost of green bunker fuels, Matson argued.

"Compared to conventional marine fuels, alternative fuels are considerably more expensive and not available in sufficient quantities to meet demand in our own industry and other transportation sectors," it said.

It added that LNG requires less onboard tank space and has a lower storage volume than alternatives such as methanol, making it a more “practical” option for container ships currently in operation.

Alongside LNG, the company is exploring biofuels and liquefied biomethane (LBM) to further reduce its fleet-wide emissions.

“We believe that other fuels such as ammonia, methanol and nuclear propulsion technologies are still in the very early stages for use by ocean-going containerships and not ready to be deployed at commercial scale.”

By Konica Bhatt

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