Matson is accelerating its sustainability strategy through major investments in low-carbon shipping, emissions reduction, cleaner marine technologies, and community initiatives, according to its 2025 Sustainability Report. Under the leadership of Rachel Lee, Vice President of Sustainability and Governance, the company continues integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities across its maritime operations while advancing toward long-term net-zero emissions.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains central to Matson’s sustainability roadmap. The company has achieved a 25 percent absolute reduction in Scope 1 owned-fleet greenhouse gas emissions compared with its 2016 baseline, moving closer to its goal of a 40 percent reduction by 2030 and net-zero Scope 1 emissions by 2050.
During 2025, absolute Scope 1 emissions declined to 1,011,200 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), representing a further reduction of 9,100 metric tons from the previous year through improved fleet efficiency, cleaner propulsion technologies, and operational enhancements, Matson Sustainability Report 2025 indicated.
Supporting its decarbonization strategy, Matson has committed USD 1 billion to construct three new LNG-ready Aloha Class containerships, which will be capable of transitioning to lower-carbon fuels including bio-LNG and synthetic green e-fuels. The vessels are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2028.
During 2025, Matson invested between USD 237.3 million and USD 244.3 million in vessel construction milestone payments while allocating an additional USD 149.1 million toward maintenance capital projects that improve environmental compliance, vessel efficiency, hull performance, and supporting infrastructure.
Matson is also expanding the deployment of cleaner shipping technologies. Three vessels currently operate primarily on liquefied natural gas (LNG), reducing emissions compared with conventional marine fuels. Its newest vessels—Lurline, Matsonia, and Manukai—feature Tier 3 dual-fuel engines capable of lowering nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 70 percent to 80 percent compared with older Tier 1 engines.
The company also continues using Alternative Maritime Power at ports across the U.S. West Coast and China, allowing vessels to connect to shore-based electricity instead of running auxiliary diesel engines while docked, thereby reducing port emissions and increasing the use of renewable electricity where available.
Matson’s sustainability initiatives extend across its logistics network, helping customers reduce transportation emissions. Its intermodal rail services generate up to 75 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions per ton-mile compared with long-distance trucking. Meanwhile, the company’s China-to-Long Beach Expedited Service enables freight to shift from air transport to ocean shipping, reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent to 95 percent for qualifying shipments while maintaining reliable international supply chains.
Community investment remains another pillar of Matson’s sustainability strategy. During 2025, the company contributed USD 8.6 million in charitable giving and logistics support benefiting 709 nonprofit organizations. This included USD 4.9 million in donated cargo transportation and container services for disaster relief and humanitarian organizations. Matson also invested USD 3.1 million in food security initiatives, USD 1.8 million in health and human services programs, and USD 871,000 in environmental conservation projects.
Employee engagement continues to support the company’s ESG performance. Matson achieved an 83 percent employee satisfaction rating, outperforming the average U.S. workplace benchmark by 26 percent, while earning recognition as a Great Place to Work. The company’s environmental leadership was further recognized with the 2026 Rear Admiral William M. Benkert Environmental Protection Award for Excellence, the U.S. Coast Guard’s highest corporate honor for marine environmental stewardship.
Matson’s 2025 Sustainability Report highlights measurable progress through a 25 percent reduction in Scope 1 emissions, a USD 1 billion investment in next-generation LNG-ready vessels, expanded low-carbon freight solutions, and continued investments in communities and employees. These initiatives reinforce the company’s commitment to achieving its 2030 emissions reduction target and net-zero Scope 1 emissions by 2050, while strengthening the long-term sustainability of the global maritime shipping industry.
SHAFANA FAZAL