As cross-border e-commerce sellers eagerly await their goods arriving at overseas warehouses, and as supply chain managers closely monitor every cargo vessel's movement, the timeliness of Matson's express shipping service remains their primary concern. How did Matson's express vessels perform in late October? This analysis focuses on key operational metrics—departures, voyages, port arrivals, and container pickups—for weeks 42-44 (October 10-30), providing e-commerce sellers and logistics professionals with comprehensive shipping references to optimize their supply chain strategies.
Week 42 (October 10-16): Dual Departures of Manukai and Matson Kauai
During week 42, Matson deployed two main vessels: the regularly scheduled "Manukai 230E (MKI)" on the CLX route and the supplementary "Matson Kauai 007E (MKX)" on the CLX+ route to meet market demand.
CLX Regular Service: Manukai 230E (MKI)
The Manukai has a capacity of 2,600 TEUs. Originally scheduled to depart Ningbo and Shanghai on October 11-12 respectively, with an estimated arrival at Long Beach on October 23. Operational data shows the vessel left Shanghai around 1:30 PM on October 12 and docked at Long Beach around 8:30 PM on October 23, meeting expected timelines.
CLX+ Supplementary Service: Matson Kauai 007E (MKX)
With a larger capacity of 4,250 TEUs, the Matson Kauai was scheduled to depart Ningbo and Shanghai on October 12-13, arriving October 24. It actually left Shanghai around 12:30 PM on October 13 and is expected at Long Beach's Public A Terminal around midnight on October 25. As supplementary vessels often face port congestion delays, real-time tracking is recommended.
Week 43 (October 17-23): Manulani and Matson Lanai Maintain Service Frequency
Week 43 saw Matson maintaining its high-frequency schedule with the CLX route's "Manulani 185E (MLI)" and CLX+ route's "Matson Lanai 023E (LNX)."
CLX Regular Service: Manulani 185E (MLI)
The 2,600 TEU Manulani was scheduled for Ningbo and Shanghai departures on October 18-19, arriving October 30. Tracking shows it left Shanghai around 7:00 PM on October 19, expected at Long Beach's C60 Terminal around 8:00 PM on October 30, with smooth progress reported.
CLX+ Supplementary Service: Matson Lanai 023E (LNX)
The 4,250 TEU Matson Lanai departed Shanghai at noon on October 20 after scheduled Ningbo/Shanghai departures on October 19-20, with an estimated arrival at Long Beach's A Terminal around midnight on November 1. Given supplementary service variability, contingency planning is advised.
Week 44 (October 24-30): Kaimana Hila and Matson Maui Conclude October Services
The final October sailings featured CLX route's "Kaimana Hila 041E (KMH)" and CLX+ route's "Matson Maui 006E (MMX)."
CLX Regular Service: Kaimana Hila 041E (KMH)
With increased capacity of 3,653 TEUs, the Kaimana Hila was scheduled for Ningbo/Shanghai departures on October 25-26, arriving November 6. Its expected Shanghai departure was 11:00 PM on October 26. The expanded capacity may alleviate some space constraints.
CLX+ Supplementary Service: Matson Maui 006E (MMX)
The 4,253 TEU Matson Maui was scheduled for October 26-27 departures from Ningbo/Shanghai, arriving November 7, with an expected Shanghai departure at 11:00 AM on October 27. As with all supplementary services, arrival times require close monitoring.
Operational Analysis and Recommendations
Overall, Matson's late October performance remained stable, with reliable regular service timeliness and expected variability in supplementary vessel arrivals. Cross-border e-commerce sellers and logistics professionals should consider:
- Advance planning: Account for route-specific transit times when scheduling shipments, particularly during peak seasons.
- Real-time tracking: Monitor vessel movements through official channels or logistics platforms for updated arrival information.
- Partner selection: Work with established logistics providers offering professional services and timely updates to mitigate risks.
- Contingency preparation: Maintain flexibility to adjust logistics plans when facing port congestion or weather disruptions.
This detailed analysis of Matson's late October sailings aims to provide valuable reference points for optimizing logistics strategies and enhancing supply chain efficiency during competitive market periods.