HONOLULU -- Citing a decline in bunker fuel prices, Matson announced on Friday a reduction in its fuel surcharge from 25.5 percent to 21.75 percent for its shipping service in Hawaii.

That amounts to a drop in shipping costs from $100 to $150 per container.

"Matson is very pleased to make this downward adjustment," said Dave Hoppes, senior vice president of Matson Ocean Services. "We are once again passing on this decrease to our customers so they can quickly realize the benefits of this reduction during this difficult economic environment," he said.

The company's last adjustment to the fuel surcharge was seven weeks ago, a decrease of two percentage points. Rates for Guam and Micronesia are also down, from 27 percent to 23.25 percent.