A&B's Matson to Invest $220 Million in New Ships For Its Hawaii Service; Company Will Tap Existing $170 Million Capital Construction Fund.Business Editors HONOLULU--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 29, 2002 As expected, Matson Navigation Company Matson Navigation Company, a subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin, is a private ocean transportation company with roots extending into the late 19th century. It is credited with introducing mass tourism to Hawaii with the opening of the Moana Hotel (now known as the Moana Surfrider Hotel) , Inc., the ocean transportation subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin Baldwin, cities, United States Baldwin. 1 Uninc. city (1990 pop. 22,719), Nassau co., SE N.Y., on the south shore of Long Island, on Baldwin Bay; settled 1640s. A fishing center and summer resort, it has varied manufactures. , Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :ALEX), today signed a contract to purchase two new container ships, to be built in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. by the Kvaerner Philadelphia Philadelphia, ancient cities Philadelphia, name of several ancient cities. One was in Lydia, W Asia Minor (now W Turkey). At the foot of Mt. Tmolus and near the location of modern Alaşehir, it was founded in the 2d cent. B.C. Shipyard, Inc., for a total cost of $220 million, announced A&B President and Chief Executive Officer Allen Al·len , Edgar 1892-1943. American anatomist who is noted for his studies of hormones and for the discovery (1923) of estrogen. Doane. The new diesel-powered ships replace two 30-year-old steam-powered vessels, and will improve reliability and fuel efficiency, as well as lower operating costs operating costs npl → gastos mpl operacionales for Matson's fleet. Matson expects to put the first ship into its Hawaii service in late 2003, and the second in 2004. To finance the purchase, Matson will tap its existing Capital Construction Fund of $170 million, supplemented with external borrowings of approximately $50 million. Doane said, "This capital investment, while dilutive to A&B earnings immediately post-delivery, should improve Matson's and A&B's overall financial performance in the long term. The new vessels will further enhance customer service - with improved speed, capacity and reliability - and, with that, Matson's attractiveness as Hawaii's premier U.S. Flag carrier." As for its impact on Hawaii, Doane added, "These are high-quality vessels that are also high-value--we were able to secure a very good price for the ships, which ultimately benefits Hawaii's consumers. This investment underscores A&B's strong commitment to Hawaii and ensures that Matson has the resources to continue as Hawaii's leading ocean carrier, helping local business to prosper and providing our residents and visitors with the goods they need." In a separate news release distributed today, Matson provided further details about the vessels, the shipyard where they are being constructed, and how the acquisition of the new ships will support the needs of Matson's Hawaii service customers. More information about Matson's current fleet and its schedule serving Hawaii may be found at website www.matson.com. A&B's major lines of business are ocean transportation (Matson); property development and management (A&B Properties, Inc.); and food products (Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company, Kauai Coffee Company). Additional information about A&B may be found at its web site: www.alexanderbaldwin.com. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking" statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties such as those described on page 19 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. , which is incorporated in the Company's 2001 annual report to shareholders. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the statements. |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion