Matson Expands Whale Protection Initiatives
July 16, 2025
By Virginia Noone – Reporter, Pacific Business News
Jul 9, 2025
Matson Inc. is deepening its commitment to marine conservation, expanding programs aimed at reducing ship strikes on whales and minimizing its impact on ocean biodiversity, according to the Hawaii-based shipping company’s 2024 Sustainability Report.
“Our oceans are a vital natural and economic resource that support the livelihoods of billions of people, play a critical role in the carbon cycle and help regulate the global climate,” the report said.
The company made significant schedule and routing adjustments in 2024 to reduce time spent in conservation zones. Additionally, Matson vessels now participate in whale sighting reports coordinated by NOAA and the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, helping improve scientific understanding of migration patterns.
As part of its partnership with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Matson installed whale detection systems using thermal imaging and AI on three vessels: Manulani, Manoa and Matson Kodiak. The system provides real-time alerts to help vessels avoid collisions with whales – a leading cause of whale mortality globally. Matson said it is exploring expansion of the technology to five more ships.
The company said it has committed $1 million to support development of the whale detection system and is the first commercial liner to test it at sea.
These efforts complement Matson’s broader sustainability strategy, which includes a goal to reach net-zero emissions from its owned fleet by 2050. In parallel, the company is investing $1 billion in three new LNG-ready Aloha Class vessels to reduce environmental impacts from fuel emissions by using liquified natural gas.
The company also earned an ‘A’ performance rating from WhaleSafe for its participation in voluntary speed reduction programs along the U.S. West Coast — an improvement from the previous year’s ‘B’ rating. Matson also adheres to similar speed restrictions when entering ports in New Zealand, where whale populations are particularly vulnerable. In 2022, the company had received an ‘F’ rating, so this marks a significant improvement for the company.
The full 2024 Sustainability Report is available on the Matson website.
https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2025/07/09/matson-expands-whale-protection-initiatives.html?utm_source=st&utm_medium=en&utm_campaign=BN&utm_content=HI&ana=e_HI_BN&j=40712483&senddate=2025-07-16
Jul 9, 2025
Matson Inc. is deepening its commitment to marine conservation, expanding programs aimed at reducing ship strikes on whales and minimizing its impact on ocean biodiversity, according to the Hawaii-based shipping company’s 2024 Sustainability Report.
“Our oceans are a vital natural and economic resource that support the livelihoods of billions of people, play a critical role in the carbon cycle and help regulate the global climate,” the report said.
The company made significant schedule and routing adjustments in 2024 to reduce time spent in conservation zones. Additionally, Matson vessels now participate in whale sighting reports coordinated by NOAA and the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, helping improve scientific understanding of migration patterns.
As part of its partnership with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Matson installed whale detection systems using thermal imaging and AI on three vessels: Manulani, Manoa and Matson Kodiak. The system provides real-time alerts to help vessels avoid collisions with whales – a leading cause of whale mortality globally. Matson said it is exploring expansion of the technology to five more ships.
The company said it has committed $1 million to support development of the whale detection system and is the first commercial liner to test it at sea.
These efforts complement Matson’s broader sustainability strategy, which includes a goal to reach net-zero emissions from its owned fleet by 2050. In parallel, the company is investing $1 billion in three new LNG-ready Aloha Class vessels to reduce environmental impacts from fuel emissions by using liquified natural gas.
The company also earned an ‘A’ performance rating from WhaleSafe for its participation in voluntary speed reduction programs along the U.S. West Coast — an improvement from the previous year’s ‘B’ rating. Matson also adheres to similar speed restrictions when entering ports in New Zealand, where whale populations are particularly vulnerable. In 2022, the company had received an ‘F’ rating, so this marks a significant improvement for the company.
The full 2024 Sustainability Report is available on the Matson website.
https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2025/07/09/matson-expands-whale-protection-initiatives.html?utm_source=st&utm_medium=en&utm_campaign=BN&utm_content=HI&ana=e_HI_BN&j=40712483&senddate=2025-07-16