ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The following material risks, events and uncertainties may make an investment in the Company speculative or risky and should be reviewed carefully. The Company faces the material risks set forth below; however, the description below does not purport to include all risks the Company faces, and additional risks or uncertainties that are currently unknown or are not currently believed to be material may occur or become material. The occurrence of these or the risks and uncertainties described below may, in ways the Company may not be able to accurately predict, recognize or mitigate, adversely affect the Company’s business, competitive environment, strategy, financial condition, operating results, cash flows, liquidity, demand, revenue, growth, prospects, reputation or stock price. All forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-K are qualified by the risks and uncertainties described below.
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Risks Related to the Jones Act
Repeal, substantial amendment, or waiver of the Jones Act or changes in its application would have an adverse effect on the Company’s business.
The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (commonly referred to as the Jones Act) regulates all interstate and intrastate marine commerce within the U.S. If the Jones Act were to be repealed, substantially amended or waived and, as a consequence, competitors were to enter the Hawaii or Alaska markets with lower operating costs by utilizing their ability to acquire and operate foreign-flagged and foreign-built vessels and/or being exempt from other U.S. regulations, the Company’s business would be adversely affected. In addition, the Company’s position as a U.S. citizen operator of Jones Act vessels would be negatively impacted if periodic efforts and attempts by foreign interests to circumvent certain aspects of the Jones Act were successful. If maritime cabotage services were included in the General Agreement on Trade in Services, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or other international trade agreements, or if the restrictions contained in the Jones Act were otherwise altered, the shipping of cargo between covered U.S. ports could be opened to foreign-flagged or foreign-built vessels, which could have other adverse impacts to our business.
The Company’s business would be adversely affected if the Company were determined not to be a U.S. citizen under the Jones Act.
Certain provisions of the Company’s articles of incorporation protect the Company’s ability to maintain its status as a U.S. citizen under the Jones Act. If non-U.S. citizens were able to defeat such articles of incorporation restrictions and own, in the aggregate, more than 25 percent of the Company’s common stock, the Company would no longer be considered a U.S. citizen under the Jones Act. Such an event could result in the Company’s ineligibility to engage in coastwise trade and the imposition of substantial penalties against the Company, including seizure or forfeiture of its vessels.
Risks Related to the Company’s Operations
Changes in macroeconomic conditions, geopolitical developments, or governmental policies, including due to outbreaks of disease, have affected and could in the future affect the Company.
The transportation industry in which the Company operates has been and could in the future be impacted by macroeconomic fluctuations, volatility, downturns, inflation, recessions, rising interest rates and other economic shifts or market instabilities, including due to outbreaks of disease and instability in financial institutions, as well as the development of and changes in governmental policies, relations, priorities and budgeting constraints, and uncertainties resulting from the U.S. political environment, including increased political polarization and the potential for political gridlock (such as the prospect of a shutdown of the U.S. federal government), and geopolitical developments across the jurisdictions in which it operates. For example, there have been increases in geopolitical and trade tensions among a number of the world’s major economies. These tensions have resulted in the implementation of tariffs, non-tariff trade barriers and sanctions, including the use of export control restrictions and sanctions against certain countries and individual companies, which have, and may continue to have, an adverse economic impact in the markets in which the Company operates and could result in a reduced demand for the Company’s services.
These adverse economic conditions may also impact the Company’s customers’ business levels and needs. Within the U.S., a weakening of economic drivers in Hawaii, Alaska and Guam, which include tourism, military spending, construction, personal income growth and employment, the weakening of consumer confidence, market demand, the economy in the U.S. Mainland, inflation, rising interest rates, recessionary fears, increased political polarization and the potential for political gridlock (such as the prospect of a shutdown of the U.S. federal government), and the effect of a change in the strength of the U.S. dollar against other foreign currencies has reduced and could in the future reduce the demand for goods, adversely affecting inland and ocean transportation volumes or rates. In addition, overcapacity in the global or transpacific ocean transportation markets, a change in the cost of goods or currency exchange rates, pressure from U.S. or foreign governments, imposition of tariffs and uncertainties regarding tariff rates or a change in international trade policies could adversely affect freight volumes and rates in the Company’s China services. Additionally, fluctuations in the price of oil could further impact the Alaskan economy, which in turn could impact the Company’s business.
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The shipping industry is competitive, and the Company has been and may continue to be impacted by new or increased competition.
The Company has faced and may continue to face new competition by established or start-up shipping operators that enter into the Company’s markets. The shipping industry is competitive with limited barriers to entry, especially in international tradelanes. Ocean carriers can shift vessels in and out of tradelanes or charter vessels to manage capacity and meet customer demands. The Company also competes with air freight carriers some of which are able to offer more attractive schedules and services, or to increase capacity. The entry of a new competitor or the addition of new vessels or capacity by existing competitors on any of the Company’s routes could result in a significant increase in available shipping capacity that could have an adverse effect on the Company’s volumes and rates.
The loss of or damage to key customer relationships may adversely affect the Company’s business.
The Company’s businesses are dependent on their relationships with customers and derive a significant portion of their revenues from the Company’s largest customers. The Company’s business relies on its relationships with the U.S. military, freight forwarders and non-vessel owning common carriers, large retailers and consumer goods manufacturers, as well as other larger customers. For more information regarding the Company’s significant customers, see the discussion in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report.
The Company could also be adversely affected by any changes in the services, or changes to the costs of services, provided by third-party vendors such as railroads, truckers, terminals, agents and shipping companies, including charter vessel owners. Service structures and relationships with these parties are important in the Company’s intermodal business, as well as in the China, Guam, Micronesia, Japan, Alaska export and South Pacific services.
The loss of or damage to any of these key relationships may adversely affect the Company’s business and revenue.
The Company is dependent upon key vendors and third parties for equipment, capacity, facilities, infrastructure and services essential to operate its business, and if the Company fails to secure sufficient third-party services, its business could be adversely affected.
The Company’s businesses are dependent upon key vendors who provide terminal, rail, truck, and ocean transportation services. If the Company cannot reliably secure sufficient transportation equipment, capacity or services from these third parties at reasonable prices or rates to meet its or its customers’ needs and schedules, customers may seek to have their transportation and logistics needs met by others on a temporary or permanent basis. If this were to occur, the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
An increase in fuel prices, changes in the Company’s ability to collect fuel-related surcharges, and/or the cost or limited availability of required fuels may adversely affect the Company’s profits.
Fuel, including LNG fuels and biofuels, is a significant operating expense for the Company’s Ocean Transportation business. The price and supply of fuel are unpredictable and fluctuate based on events beyond the Company’s control, including impacts from global macroeconomic conditions and geopolitical events. Increases in the price of fuel may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations. Any such increases also can lead to increases in other expenses, such as energy costs and costs to purchase outside transportation services. In the Company’s Ocean Transportation and Logistics services segments, the Company utilizes fuel-related surcharges, although increases in the fuel-related surcharges may adversely affect the Company’s competitive position and may not correspond exactly with the timing of increases in fuel expense. Changes in the Company’s ability to collect fuel-related surcharges, including recovery of all or most fuel-related expenses, also may adversely affect its results of operations.
The development of alternative fuels (such as low- or carbon-neutral fuels), including the necessary infrastructure and technology to utilize such fuels, is still in early experimental stages. There is significant uncertainty as to when, if at all, these alternative fuels will become commercially available or viable, and whether Matson will be able to utilize or have access to these alternative fuels (or any such alternative fuels developed in the future) in a timely and cost-effective manner. In addition, advances in fuel technology could require Matson to incur significant capital costs to utilize any such technologies (including, for example, efforts to accelerate building of new vessels, retrofit existing vessels, retire
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vessels early or make reserve vessels unusable) and Matson may be unable to equip its vessels with these technologies on a timely basis, if at all.
Evolving regulations and stakeholder expectations related to sustainability matters exposes the Company to heightened scrutiny, additional costs, operational challenges and a number of risks.
The SEC and other regulators, investors, advisory firms, employees, customers, suppliers, governments and other stakeholders are increasingly focused on and have established regulations and expectations related to sustainability matters and related corporate practices, disclosures and initiatives. These evolving regulations and expectations may impact the Company’s reputation, business and attractiveness as an investment, employer or business partner to the extent the Company – including its initiatives, goals and reporting – fails to satisfy or is perceived to fail to satisfy those regulations and expectations, including as a result of any third-party rating or assessment. The adoption and expansion of related legislation and regulations have also resulted and may again result in increased capital expenditures and compliance, operational and other costs to the Company. For example, the state of California has adopted new climate change disclosure requirements. Compliance with such rules could require significant effort and resources and result in changes to the Company’s current GHG emission reduction goals.
The Company’s public disclosures on its climate, sustainability, human capital and other initiatives include its goals or expectations with respect to those matters, including GHG emission reduction targets. These disclosures are aspirational and based on standards and frameworks for presenting and measuring progress that are not harmonized and are still developing, assumptions that may change, disclosure controls and procedures that continue to evolve, and with respect to our GHG emissions targets, dependent in part on the industry’s successful and timely development of alternative fuels and technologies. The Company’s use of disclosure frameworks and standards, and the interpretation or application of those frameworks and standards, may change from time to time or differ from those of others. This may result in a lack of consistent or meaningful comparative data from period to period or between the Company and other companies in the same industry. The Company’s initiatives and goals may not be favored by certain stakeholders and could impact the attraction and retention of investors, customers and employees, as well as the Company’s willingness to do business with other companies or customers or their willingness to do business with the Company. Efforts to achieve or accurately track the Company’s initiatives and goals face numerous risks and may be untimely, be unsuccessful, result in additional costs or experience delays, and as a result may have an adverse impact on the Company, including its brand, reputation, financial performance and growth and stock price, and may expose the Company to increased scrutiny from the investment community as well as enforcement authorities.
The Company may not be timely or successful in completing its fleet upgrade initiatives, which may result in significant costs and adversely impact the Company’s ability to meet its climate goals.
The Company’s four new Aloha and Kanaloa class vessels include dual fuel capable engines that can run on low sulfur fuel oil or LNG. The Company has completed the installation of tanks, piping and cryogenic equipment on Daniel K. Inouye to operate on LNG; begun re-engining Manukai; and announced plans for LNG installations on Kaimana Hila in 2024. In addition, the Company has announced plans to construct three new LNG-ready Aloha Class vessels. The Company anticipates making significant capital expenditures in connection with these fleet initiatives. These initiatives may be hindered by substantial delays and long lead times for necessary equipment, including as a result of ongoing supply chain congestion, increased demand across the industry for LNG installations and conversions, and new ship-building. Additional operating costs may be incurred to the extent additional ships are needed to maintain schedule integrity while such updates and installations are performed. Once completed, operation of these vessels may be slowed to the extent they present new maintenance requirements or unforeseen complications.
The Company’s investments in LNG-ready vessels, whether on their own or in addition to other Company initiatives, may be insufficient to meet the Company’s previously announced GHG emission reduction goals on a timely basis or at all. There is no guarantee that the Company will be able to secure LNG via bunker barges or other methods on the U.S. West Coast or in China in sufficient amounts to fuel its vessels or at a reasonable cost, as increased demand for LNG could decrease available supply of LNG and increase prices. Governments have in the past and may again in the future impose tariffs on LNG that also may increase supply costs. As a result of these risks, the Company may not fully realize the benefits of these investments.
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The Company’s vessel construction agreements with Philly Shipyard subject the Company to risks.
On November 1, 2022, MatNav and Philly Shipyard entered into vessel construction agreements pursuant to which Philly Shipyard will construct three new 3,600-TEU Aloha Class dual-fuel capable containerships, with expected delivery dates during the fourth quarter of 2026 and subsequent deliveries currently expected in the second and fourth quarters of 2027. Failure of any party to the vessel construction agreements to fulfill its obligations under the agreements could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations. Such a failure could happen for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to (i) delivery delays, (ii) delivery of vessels that fail to meet any of the required operating specifications (for example, capacity, fuel efficiency or speed), (iii) events in South Korea that prevent one or more significant subcontractors to Philly Shipyard from performing, (iv) loss of key personnel at either Philly Shipyard or any of its subcontractors, (v) work stoppages or other labor disruptions that may occur as a result of the failure of Philly Shipyard to negotiate collective bargaining agreements with its unions, or (vi) the insolvency of, or the refusal or inability to perform for any reason, by Philly Shipyard or any of its subcontractors. Significant delays in the delivery of the new vessels could limit our ability to replace aging vessels in the Alaska service without substantial modifications and delay the Company’s ability to upsize the CLX service, which could also have an adverse impact on our business plans, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company’s operations are susceptible to weather, natural disasters, maritime accidents, spill events and other physical and operating risks, including those arising from climate change.
As a maritime transportation company, the Company’s operations are vulnerable to delay, disruptions and loss of life and property as a result of weather, natural disasters and other climate-driven events, such as rising temperatures and heat waves, rising sea levels, bad weather at sea (including increased storm severity), lightning strikes, wildfires, lava flows, hurricanes, typhoons, tsunamis, droughts, windstorms, floods and earthquakes. Climate change has increased and may continue to increase the frequency, severity and uncertainty of such events. For example, sea level rise could potentially impact coastal and other low-lying areas, cause erosion of shorelines, higher water tables and increased flooding, which could damage the Company’s vessels, terminals or facilities. In addition, the Company’s customers and the island communities it serves throughout the Pacific are particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and severe storms, which may drive inhabitants away from these regions and reduce demand for the Company’s services in the affected areas and adversely impact our business.
The Company’s operations are also vulnerable to risks related to the operation of ocean-going vessels, including risks of potential marine accidents, or disasters, including grounding, fires, explosions, collisions, mechanical failures, human error, maintenance issues, latent defects, oil or other spill or environmental accidents, whale strikes, war, terrorism and piracy, lost or damaged cargo, delays, injury and loss of life. These risks could be exacerbated by severe weather or other climate-driven events. Changing macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions, including geopolitical conflict, may also result increased attacks on vessels, piracy or terrorism.
Such events could interfere with the Company’s ability to provide on-time scheduled service, require evacuation of personnel or stoppage of services or impact the Company’s customer’s operations, resulting in increased expenses and potential loss of business associated with such events. In addition, severe weather and natural disasters can result in interference with the Company’s terminal operations and may cause serious damage to its vessels and cranes. These impacts could be particularly acute in ports such as Dutch Harbor and Kodiak, Alaska where the Company is dependent on a single crane. The Company’s vessels and their cargoes, terminals and other facilities are also subject to operating risks such as mechanical failure, collisions and human error.
The occurrence of any of these events may result in damage to or loss of terminals, port facilities and infrastructure, vessels, containers, cargo and other equipment, increased maintenance expense, loss of life or physical injury to its employees or people, pollution, or the slow down or suspension of operations. For example, damage to the Company’s vessels could require repair at a dry-docking facility. The costs of repairs may be substantial which may adversely affect the Company’s business and financial condition. Further, the Company may be unable to find space at a suitable dry-docking facility, the vessels may be forced to wait for space or be towed to a different facility, all of which could result in additional expenses and delays, and may adversely affect the Company’s business.
These events can also expose the Company to reputational harm and liability for resulting damages, including for loss of life and property, and possible penalties that, pursuant to typical maritime industry policies, it must pay and then seek reimbursement from its insurer. Affected vessels may also be removed from service and thus would be unavailable for
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income-generating activity. Furthermore, the Port of Alaska requires upgrades to its port facilities and infrastructure to improve operational safety and efficiency, accommodate modern shipping operations and improve resiliency, as well as to mitigate the risk of failure due to corrosion or loss of load bearing capacity. As a result, there is an increased risk that an earthquake or other natural disaster could damage or render inoperable, in whole or in part, port facilities and infrastructure at the Port of Alaska. This, in turn, could adversely affect transportation volumes or rates in Alaska and adversely impact the Company’s Ocean Transportation business and Span Alaska’s freight forwarding business, particularly given the Alaskan economy’s dependence on this port for ocean cargo.
There is no assurance that our efforts to mitigate the impact of these risks, including from severe weather or other climate-driven events on our operations, will be effective. Although we take measures that we believe are reasonable to mitigate these risks, it is not practicable to eliminate such risks altogether. The Company’s casualty and liability insurance policies are generally subject to large retentions and deductibles and may not cover all losses the Company may incur. Some types of losses, such as losses resulting from a port blockage, generally are not insured. In some cases, the Company retains the entire risk of loss because it is not economically prudent to purchase insurance coverage or because of the perceived remoteness of the risk. Other risks are uninsured because insurance coverage may not be commercially available. Finally, the Company retains all risk of loss that exceeds the limits of its insurance.
The Company may be impacted by transitional and other risks arising from climate change.
The Company may be impacted by transitional and other risks arising from climate change and the global shift toward a low carbon future. Organizational, industrial and governmental shifts in operations as well as legal and regulatory requirements to reduce or eliminate emissions and/or increase efficiency may require the Company to increase expenditures, make changes to existing infrastructure, vessels and equipment, limit the speed at which the Company’s vessels are permitted to travel, and make other changes to its business model. For example, the maritime industry is moving toward deployment of clean energy technologies and use of electricity powered by renewable energy sources to power terminal operations as a way to reduce shoreside GHG emissions. As the Company and SSAT increase their reliance on the power grid at terminals, including for cold-ironing and ground service fleets, the Company may experience increased risks related to power outages, brown outs or black outs. The likelihood of these risks is compounded by uncertainties regarding the reliability of renewable energy sources as well as any increased frequency of extreme weather events that may disrupt the generation or transmission of electricity.
In addition, compliance with new climate change requirements or regulations such as the IMO’s requirements related to EEXI and CII, may create schedule disruptions and could require Matson’s fleet to slow down if efficiency improvements or transitions to alternative fuels together are not enough to reduce GHG emissions sufficiently, thus impacting Matson’s expedited business model and competitive advantage.
New environmental requirements for vessel performance and operation could also require the Company to accelerate the building of new vessels, increase the construction costs for new vessels and equipment to accommodate even newer technology as it emerges while today’s technology becomes obsolete, initiate unexpected retrofit projects for existing vessels, retire older vessels earlier than expected, or render reserve vessels unusable. If these outcomes were to occur, the Company’s business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be adversely affected.
The Company faces risks related to actual or threatened health epidemics, outbreaks of disease, pandemics or other major health crises, which could significantly disrupt the Company’s business.
The Company’s business could be impacted adversely by outbreaks of disease, the effects of public health epidemics, pandemics or other major heath crises (which the Company refers to collectively as public health crises). Actual or threatened public health crises may have a number of adverse impacts, including volatility in the global economy, impacts to the Company’s customers’ business operations, reduced tourism in the markets the Company serves, potential restrictions on employee travel, or significant disruptions in ocean-borne transportation of goods, logistics demand and supply chain activity, caused by a variety of factors such as quarantines, factory and office closures, port closures, or other government-imposed restrictions, any of which could adversely impact the Company’s business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows. In addition, the Company’s business and operations has in the past, and could in the future, be impacted by outbreaks of disease, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company’s operations faced risks from employees potentially being restricted from or unable to perform their duties, the Company’s or SSAT’s terminals potentially being temporarily closed, or potential outbreaks aboard the Company’s vessels that could cause the Company to miss port calls. As the COVID-19
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pandemic subsided, supply and demand trends have normalized and the high volumes and rates the Company previously experienced in its China service have declined, however, certain fixed costs remain. Additionally, the global macroeconomic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related impacts on the Company’s customers’ business operations, including financial difficulties or bankruptcies, may continue to persist for an indefinite period.
The Company’s significant operating agreements and leases could be renewed/replaced on less favorable terms or may not be renewed/replaced on acceptable terms, if at all.
The significant operating agreements and leases entered into by the Company in the course of its operations, including those related to terminals, chartered vessels and warehouses as well as those with SSAT, expire at various points in time and may not be renewed/replaced with comparable assets with the specifications necessary for the Company’s or SSAT’s businesses or could be renewed/replaced on less favorable terms, if at all, thereby adversely affecting the Company’s future financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
The Company may face unexpected dry-docking or repair costs for its vessels.
The Company routinely engages shipyards to dry-dock its vessels for regulatory compliance and to provide repair and maintenance. Vessels may also have to be dry-docked or repaired at sea in the event of accidents or other unforeseen damage. Unexpected dry-dockings or repairs could require the Company to activate a reserve vessel, purchase additional fuel and operate a less-efficient, smaller vessel for a period of time. The Company also operates a number of older active and reserve vessels that may require more frequent and extensive maintenance. The cost of repairs is difficult to predict and can be substantial. In addition, the time when a vessel is out of service for maintenance is determined by a number of factors, including regulatory deadlines, market conditions, shipyard availability, shipyard location, availability of employees and repairmen, and customer requirements, and accordingly, the length of time that a vessel may be out of service may be longer than anticipated, which could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The timing and expense required for repairs could be exacerbated by compliance with MARAD requirements.
The Company is involved in a joint venture and is subject to risks associated with joint venture relationships.
The Company is involved in a terminal joint venture with SSAT (and through SSAT, other joint ventures at various U.S. West Coast terminals), and may initiate future joint venture projects. A joint venture involves certain risks for the Company such as:
In addition, the Company relies on SSAT for its stevedoring services at the ports of Long Beach and Oakland, California and Tacoma, Washington on the U.S. West Coast. The Company could be adversely affected by any changes in the services provided or to the costs of such services provided by SSAT. Furthermore, the Company’s results of operations have been and may continue to be impacted by lower contributions from SSAT, including as a result of declines in detention and demurrage revenue and lift volumes due to reduced carrier volumes into U.S. West Coast ports.
The Company is subject to risks associated with conducting business in foreign shipping markets.
Matson’s China, Alaska export, Micronesia, Japan and South Pacific services are subject to risks associated with conducting business in a foreign shipping market, which include:
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● Not having continued access to existing port facilities or feeder vessels;
● Geopolitical and economic instability;
The Company’s terminals in Hawaii and Alaska require modernization.
The Company has completed the first phase of renovating and modernizing its Sand Island terminal in Honolulu Harbor. However, significant upgrades remain, including projects to improve resiliency, including to risks due to severe weather events, natural disasters, sea level rise and climate-change related risks. The Company is continuing discussions with state and local authorities regarding a port modernization program for the Port of Alaska. Significant upgrades to the terminal and port facilities at the Port of Alaska are needed to improve operational safety and efficiency, accommodate modern shipping operations, and improve resiliency, including to risks due to severe weather events, natural disasters and climate-change related risks. For example, the aging docks of the port are increasingly exposed to the risk of failure due to corrosion and the loss of load-bearing capacity particularly in the event of extreme seismic events or other natural disasters. Regulatory, construction or other delays or cost overruns related to the expansion and modernization of the terminals could have an adverse impact on the Company’s business plans, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the terminal modernization programs may not result in improved operational productivity or improved resiliency to severe weather events, extreme seismic events or other natural disasters or generate expected returns.
Heightened security measures, war, actual or threatened terrorist attacks, efforts to combat terrorism and other acts of violence may adversely impact the Company’s operations and profitability.
War, terrorist attacks and other acts of violence may cause consumer confidence and spending to decrease, or may affect the ability or willingness of tourists to travel to Hawaii, Guam or Alaska, thereby adversely affecting those economies and the Company. Wars or terrorism could impact global supply chains due to changes in vessel routing, product sourcing decisions, or governmental sanctions or restrictions. Additionally, acts of war and future terrorist attacks could increase volatility in the U.S. and worldwide financial markets. Acts of war or terrorism may also be directed at the Company’s shipping operations or may cause the U.S. government to take control of Matson’s vessels for military operations. Heightened security measures, including customs inspections and related procedures in countries of origin and destination, potentially slow the movement and increase the cost of freight through U.S. or foreign ports, across borders or on U.S. or foreign railroads or highways.
Acquisitions may have an adverse effect on the Company’s business.
The Company’s growth strategy includes expansion through acquisitions, including, for example, the Company’s acquisitions of Horizon Lines, Inc. (“Horizon”) in 2015 and Span Alaska in 2016. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in identifying, negotiating, or consummating any future acquisitions. Even if suitable candidates are identified, such transactions may result in regulatory scrutiny, litigation and difficulties in assimilating acquired assets or companies, and may result in the diversion of the Company’s capital and its management attention from other business issues and opportunities. The Company may not be able to integrate companies that it acquires successfully, including their personnel, financial systems, distribution, operations and general operating procedures. The Company may also encounter challenges in achieving appropriate internal control over financial reporting in connection with the integration of an acquired company. The Company may pay a premium for an acquisition, resulting in goodwill that may later be determined to be impaired.
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Risks Related to Employees
Work stoppages or other labor disruptions caused by the Company’s unionized workers and other workers or their unions in related industries could adversely affect the Company’s operations.
A significant portion of Matson’s employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. Furthermore, the Company relies on the services of third parties, including SSAT, which employ persons covered by collective bargaining agreements. For additional information on collective bargaining agreements with unions, see Part I, Item 1, Subheading C. Employees and Labor Relations of this Annual Report.
Previously, the Company has been adversely affected by actions taken by employees of the Company or other companies in related industries against efforts by management of the Company or other companies to control labor costs, restrain wage or benefit increases or modify work practices. In the past, strikes, slow-downs and disruptions have occurred as a result of the failure of Matson or other companies in its industry to negotiate collective bargaining agreements with such unions successfully.
In addition, any slow-downs, strikes, lock-outs or other disruptions, including limits on the availability of labor through trade union hiring halls, have had and in the future, particularly in years when collective bargaining agreements are being negotiated, could have an adverse impact on Matson’s or SSAT’s operations.
Loss of the Company’s key personnel or failure to adequately manage human capital could adversely affect its business.
The Company’s future success depends, in significant part, upon the continued services of its key personnel and skilled employees, including its senior management, as well as key personnel at its joint venture partners. The permanent or temporary loss of the services of key personnel could adversely affect the Company’s future operating results because of such employees’ experience with and knowledge of the Company’s business and customer relationships. If key personnel and skilled employees depart or are unable or unwilling to work, the Company’s ability to execute its business model could be impaired to the extent it cannot replace such personnel or sufficiently train new personnel in a timely manner. In addition, the Company may incur significant costs to replace these employees. Whether the Company can meet its labor needs is subject to a variety of pressures, including market compensation and benefit levels, which may be impacted by pressure within the industry to increase wages, including due to the threat of a labor strike; the availability of labor, which may be impacted by national and global labor trends including higher-than-normal levels of individuals leaving the workforce and industry trends including aging workforces that may reduce the available pool of skilled workers; a mismatch of skills or experience to support the evolving needs of the Company’s business; and employee expectations or desire for changes in the work environment. In addition, the Company’s workforce is aging, and within the next few years an increasing number of employees will be eligible to retire, which may result in a period of higher turnover rates than we have historically experienced and could amplify these challenges. The Company does not maintain key person insurance on any of its key personnel.
The Company’s investments in and efforts to manage its human capital and maintain a desirable workplace culture, including to create a safe and healthy work environment, improve diversity and create a respectful, responsive and inclusive culture, and foster a rewarding workplace for employee development and advancement, may not be successful in identifying, attracting, developing, motivating, retaining, competing for or replacing qualified personnel. These efforts and the Company’s reputation may also be impacted by any failure or perceived failure to meet or timely progress on publicly disclosed human capital-related goals and initiatives, including with respect to diversity, equity and inclusion, or to compare favorably with the progress or goals of its industry or peers.
Risks Related to Information Technology
If the Company is not able to use its information technology and communications systems effectively, the Company’s ability to conduct business might be negatively impacted.
The Company is highly dependent on the proper functioning of its information technology systems to enable operations and compete effectively. The Company regularly updates its information technology systems or implements new systems, which could cause substantial business interruption. There is no assurance that the systems upgrades or new systems will meet the Company’s current or future business needs, or that they will operate as designed.
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The Company’s information technology systems also rely on third-party service providers for access to the Internet, satellite-based communications systems, the electric grid, database storage facilities and telecommunications providers. The Company has no control over the operations of these third-party service providers. In the past, disruptions in the Company’s third-party service providers have impacted the Company’s operations, including the Company’s ability to book and manage freight, stow vessels, and process customs declarations. Some of the Company’s employees work from home or remotely, increasing the Company’s dependence on its information technology systems and third-party providers during those times. If the Company’s information technology and communications systems experience reliability issues, integration or compatibility concerns or if the Company’s third-party providers are unable to perform effectively or experience disruptions, cyber attacks or failures, there could be an adverse impact on the availability and functioning of the Company’s information technology and communications systems, which could lead to business disruption or inefficiencies, reputational harm or loss of customers.
The Company’s information technology systems have in the past and may in the future be exposed to cybersecurity risks and other disruptions that could impair the Company’s ability to operate and adversely affect its business.
The shipping industry is a more frequent target of cyber attacks than some other industries because of the essential nature of these services. The Company relies extensively on its information technology systems and third-party service providers in many aspects of its business, including cloud services for accounting, billing, disbursement, cargo booking and tracking, vessel scheduling and stowage, equipment tracking, customer service, banking, payroll and employee communication systems. The Company also collects, stores and transmits sensitive data, including its proprietary business information and that of its customers, and personally identifiable information of its customers and employees. The Company’s practices, policies and other efforts, including as described in Part I, Item 1C of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, may not be sufficient to prevent, detect or remediate all cybersecurity risks or other disruptions, and the Company and its service providers have in the past experienced and may in the future experience cybersecurity incidents, disruptions, threats and vulnerabilities such as malware (including computer viruses and ransomware), software bugs, denial-of-service (“DoS”) attacks, phishing, spoofing, identity-based attacks, code injection attacks, cyber terrorism, sabotage, circumvention of security systems (whether physical or virtual), malfeasance, breaches due to employee error, natural disasters, accidents, power disruptions or loss, telecommunications failure, unauthorized access or other catastrophic events or failures at the Company’s facilities, aboard its vessels or at third-party locations.
Any failure, breach or unauthorized access to the Company’s systems or those of third parties on which the Company relies could result in the loss of confidential, sensitive or proprietary information, interruptions in its service or production or otherwise impact the Company’s ability to conduct business operations, and could result in potential reductions in revenue and profits, damage to its reputation or liability.
Risks Related to Financial Matters
A deterioration of the Company’s credit profile, disruptions of the credit markets or higher interest rates could restrict its ability to access the debt capital markets or increase the cost of debt.
Deterioration in the Company’s credit profile may have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to access the private or public debt markets and also may increase its borrowing costs. If the Company’s credit profile deteriorates significantly, its access to the debt capital markets or its ability to renew its committed lines of credit may become restricted, or the Company may not be able to refinance debt at the same levels or on the same terms. Because the Company relies on its ability to draw on its revolving credit facility to support its operations when required, any volatility in the credit and financial markets that prevents the Company from accessing funds (for example, a lender that does not fulfill its lending obligation) could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and cash flows. Additionally, the Company’s credit agreements generally include an increase in borrowing rates if the Company’s credit profile deteriorates. Furthermore, the Company incurs interest under its revolving credit facility based on floating rates. Floating rate debt creates higher debt service requirements if market interest rates increase, as has been the case in connection with the U.S. Federal Reserve’s interest rate increases in 2022 and 2023, which could adversely affect the Company’s cash flow and results of operations. Disruptions to the credit markets as a result of macroeconomic, geopolitical, or financial market developments could increase the Company’s cost of capital and limit the Company’s access to capital.
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Failure to comply with certain restrictive financial covenants contained in the Company’s credit facilities could preclude the payment of dividends, impose restrictions on the Company’s business segments, capital resources or other activities or otherwise adversely affect the Company.
The Company’s credit facilities contain certain restrictive financial covenants, the most restrictive of which include a maximum ratio of debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), a minimum ratio of EBITDA to interest expense, certain prohibitions on additional priority debt and the maintenance of minimum shareholders’ equity. If the Company does not maintain these and other required covenants, and a breach of such covenants is not cured timely or waived by the lenders, resulting in a default, the Company’s access to credit may be limited or terminated, dividends may be suspended, and the lenders could declare any outstanding amounts due and payable. The Company’s continued ability to borrow under its credit facilities is subject to compliance with these financial and other non-financial covenants.
The Company’s effective income tax rate may vary.
Various internal and external factors may have favorable or unfavorable material or immaterial effects on the Company’s effective income tax rate and, therefore, impact the Company’s net income and earnings per share. These factors include, but are not limited to changes in tax rates; changes in tax laws, regulations, and rulings; changes in interpretations of existing tax laws, regulations and rulings; changes in the evaluation of the Company’s ability to realize deferred tax assets, and changes in uncertain tax positions; changes in accounting principles; changes in current pre-tax income as well as changes in forecasted pre-tax income; changes in the level of Capital Construction Fund (“CCF”) deductions, non-deductible expenses, and expenses eligible for tax credits; changes in the mix of earnings among countries with varying tax rates; changes to the allowable amounts of foreign derived intangible income deductions; and acquisitions and changes in the Company’s corporate structure. These factors may result in periodic revisions to the Company’s effective income tax rate, which could affect the Company’s cash flow and results of operations.
Changes in the value of pension assets, or a change in pension law or key assumptions, may adversely affect the Company’s financial performance.
The amount of the Company’s employee pension and post-retirement benefit costs and obligations is calculated on assumptions used in the relevant actuarial calculations. Adverse changes in any of these assumptions due to economic or other factors, changes in discount rates, higher health care costs, or lower actual or expected returns on plan assets, may adversely affect the Company’s operating results, cash flows, and financial condition. In addition, a change in federal law, including changes to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act or Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation premiums, may adversely affect the Company’s single-employer and multi-employer pension plans and plan funding. These factors, as well as a decline in the fair value of pension plan assets, may put upward pressure on the cost of providing pension and medical benefits and may increase future pension expense and required funding contributions. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in limiting future cost and expense increases, and continued upward pressure in costs and expenses could further reduce the profitability of the Company’s businesses.
The Company may have exposure under its multi-employer pension and post-retirement plans in which it participates that extends beyond its funding obligation with respect to the Company’s employees.
The Company contributes to various multi-employer pension plans. In the event of a partial or complete withdrawal by the Company from any plan that is underfunded, the Company would be liable for a proportionate share of such plan’s unfunded vested benefits (see Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report). Based on the limited information available from plan administrators, which the Company cannot independently validate, the Company believes that its portion of the contingent liability in the case of a full withdrawal or termination may be material to its financial position and results of operations. If any other contributing employer withdraws from any plan that is underfunded, and such employer (or any member of its controlled group) cannot satisfy its obligations under the plan at the time of withdrawal, then the Company, along with the other remaining contributing employers, would be liable for its proportionate share of such plan’s unfunded vested benefits. In addition, if any of the multi-employer plans to which the Company contributes fails to satisfy the minimum funding requirements, the Internal Revenue Service will impose certain penalties and taxes on the Company and other contributing employers.
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Risks Related to Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Matters
As an ocean transportation and logistics services company, the Company is subject to numerous safety, environmental, and other laws and regulations that impact the Company’s operations, are costly to comply with and expose us to liability.
The Company, including its vessels and terminals, is subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations, including those related to safety, cabotage, equipment standards and government rates. In addition, the Company is subject to environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to air quality initiatives at port locations; air emissions; use of shore power at California ports; wastewater discharges; management of storm water; the storage, transportation, handling, emission and disposal of solid and hazardous materials, oil and oil related products, hazardous substances and wastes; the investigation and remediation of contamination and liability for damages to the environment; health, safety and the protection of the environment and natural resources; and climate change, including any regulations, mandates or restrictions related to GHG emissions, such as a potential carbon tax, and energy use. Any changes in applicable laws and regulations, including their enforcement, interpretation or implementation that results in more stringent requirements than currently anticipated, as well as any new laws and regulations that are adopted could impose significant additional costs and limitations on the Company’s ability to operate. Mitigation strategies or contingency plans to remain in compliance with applicable laws and regulations may be unsuccessful, result in additional costs or experience delays. Such costs may not be recoverable through increased payments from customers. For a discussion of specific laws and regulations, see Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report.
Federal, state and local laws and regulations require us to obtain certificates of financial responsibility and to adopt procedures for oil and hazardous substance spill prevention, response and clean up, among other requirements impacting the Company’s business. In complying with applicable laws and regulations, the Company has incurred expenses and may incur material future costs and expenses related to vessel and equipment modifications, new equipment, higher-priced fuel, changes in operating practices and procedures, tracking emissions, changing routes, adopting or modifying energy sources and undergoing additional oversight inspections, all of which could adversely affect the Company’s business and financial condition. For example, Matson’s vessels operate within emissions control areas, and the Company’s U.S. flagged vessels generally must be maintained “in class” and are subject to periodic inspections by the American Bureau of Shipping or similar classification societies. They also must be periodically inspected by, or on behalf of, the United States Coast Guard. The Company’s vessels’ operating certificates and licenses are renewed periodically during the required annual surveys of the vessels, but there is no assurance that the Company’s programs and policies will be sufficient to have such certificates and licenses renewed. The EPA also requires vessels to obtain coverage under a general permit and to comply with inspection, monitoring, discharge, recordkeeping and reporting requirements.
These laws and regulations provide for substantial fines, sanctions, as well as criminal and civil penalties and significant environmental liabilities, in the event of any violations of, or non-compliance with, their requirements (including any waivers, permits or recordkeeping and other reporting requirements). Any vessel-generated pollution from incidents in U.S. waters within three nautical miles, and in some cases, within the 200-mile exclusive economic zone, for example, could expose us to such fines or penalties.
The Company is subject to, and may in the future be subject to, disputes, legal or other proceedings, and government inquiries or investigations that could have an adverse effect on the Company.
The nature of the Company’s business exposes it to the potential for disputes, legal or other proceedings, and government inquiries or investigations relating to antitrust matters, labor and employment matters, personal injury, loss of life and property damage, environmental, shore power and other matters, as discussed in the other risk factors disclosed in this section or in other Company filings with the SEC. For example, Matson is a common carrier, whose tariffs, rates, rules and practices in dealing with its customers are governed by extensive and complex foreign, federal, state and local regulations, which may be the subject of disputes or administrative or judicial proceedings. If these disputes develop into proceedings, these proceedings, individually or collectively, could involve or result in significant expenditures or losses by the Company, or result in significant changes to Matson’s tariffs, rates, rules and practices in dealing with its customers.
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The Company may continue to be exposed to risks and unknown liabilities related to the Horizon acquisition.
The Company acquired Horizon subject to all of the liabilities and obligations of its non-Hawaii business, including any remaining liabilities and obligations associated with its Puerto Rico operations, which Horizon ceased during the first quarter of 2015. The disposition of these liabilities, and any other obligations that are unknown to the Company, including contingent liabilities, could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
Pasha acquired Horizon’s former Hawaii business immediately before the Company acquired Horizon, and Pasha assumed substantially all liabilities and obligations related to Horizon’s Hawaii business and agreed to perform various covenants. In some cases, however, Horizon, as the original contracting party, may remain primarily responsible for such assumed Hawaii liabilities and obligations. The Company may incur losses related to such assumed Hawaii liabilities and obligations.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY
Risk management and strategy: Matson’s information security, Internal Audit and risk management teams help to identify and assess cyber and information security threats and vulnerabilities, and establish the appropriate business systems, preventive controls and risk mitigation strategies. The main objectives of Matson’s approach to cyber and information security are to protect confidential information while maintaining data integrity and availability; support legal and regulatory compliance; and prevent disruptions to business operations. The Company regularly enhances its systems, controls and strategies in an effort to guard against security breaches and unauthorized access to Matson systems or data and develops policies to guide the appropriate handling and protection of sensitive information by Matson. This includes managing third party supply chain risks with its key vendors and business partners. It also maintains incident response and remediation plans which provide that cybersecurity incidents be communicated to the Company’s senior leaders who are responsible for assessing the risks associated with a cybersecurity incident and initiating the Company’s incident response plan. The Company’s incident response and remediation plans are further supported by ongoing security monitoring services as well as a dedicated management team focused on business continuity to help support operations and mitigate disruptions should a breach, unauthorized access or other disruption event occur. In addition, the Company has established a zero trust network access roadmap that includes key security controls designed to help protect Matson employees and contractors with access to Matson systems against phishing and brute force password attacks.
The risk management process occurs throughout the organization, but is facilitated through a risk management steering committee comprised of senior management whose members meet regularly to identify and address specific significant risks. At least twice a year, management assesses and categorizes key risks based on their potential impact to the Company and the likelihood of the risk occurring as part of Matson’s enterprise risk management (“ERM”) program. The ERM program includes regular cyber and information security risk assessments conducted by independent, third-party cybersecurity professionals, including assessors, consultants, auditors and penetration testers. Results from these risk assessments, along with remediation recommendations, are provided to executive leadership and the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). The Board also consults with outside advisors and experts, when appropriate, to anticipate future threats and trends, and their impact on the Company’s risk environment. In addition, the Company utilizes annual third-party audits to test its cybersecurity systems and incident response and remediation plans to help spot vulnerabilities and improve its ability to respond to unexpected events. For more information on Matson’s ERM program, see “—Governance” below.
As part of its approach, the Company conducts varied due diligence on its key technology vendors to review their cybersecurity risk profiles and scores. This includes pre-contract award due diligence reviews of such vendors and cyber and information security requirements within its vendor contracts. Additionally, the Company leverages independent, third-party services to monitor the cyber and information security posture of key suppliers and vendors. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are briefed on a quarterly basis on the results of these reviews.
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Training, education and awareness-building are mechanisms Matson uses to help embed a strong culture of cyber and information security within its workplace. The Company’s long-term aim is to have a workforce with high-functioning knowledge of cybersecurity. In furtherance of this aim, the Company conducts training annually for employees that addresses cyber and information security, and holds additional training typically at least three times per year for specific topics such as data and email security. Furthermore, Matson requires enhanced training for employees with access to particularly sensitive information. The Company also has specific escalation processes and resources in place for employees to raise a concern should they notice anything suspicious.
The design of Matson’s vessel and office information technology systems is informed in part by the following third-party frameworks or standards:
●ISO 27001
●NIST Cybersecurity Framework
●NIST 800-171
●DFARS 252.204-7012
● IMO MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3/Rev.2
● BIMCO’s Guidelines for Cyber Security Onboard Ships
● IAPH’s Cybersecurity Guidelines for Ports and Port Facilities
In addition, Matson participates in the following organizations in its effort to better understand best practices and advance its systems and policies over time:
●National Security Administration (“NSA”)’s Cybersecurity Collaboration Center
●U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Critical Partnership
●Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”) InfraGard
●U.S. Coast Guard Area Maritime Security Committees and Cybersecurity Subcommittees
●Cyber-Hawaii
●Maritime Transportation System Information Sharing and Analysis Center (“MTS-ISAC”)
In the last fiscal year, Matson has not identified risks from known cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any prior cybersecurity incidents, that have materially affected the Company, but the Company faces certain ongoing cybersecurity risks threats that, if realized, are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company. For more information on the risks and impacts of these matters to Matson, see Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors – “The Company’s information technology systems have in the past and may in the future be exposed to cybersecurity risks and other disruptions that could impair the Company’s ability to operate and adversely affect its business.”
Governance: Matson’s Board of Directors has oversight of the Company’s risk management process, which includes overseeing our process for identifying, assessing and mitigating significant financial, operational, legal, strategic, and other risks that may affect the Company. These risks include, among other things, risks related to cybersecurity and information security. Risk oversight plays a role in major Board decisions, and the evaluation of key risks is a core part of the decision-making process – from guidance on strategy to review of major capital expenditures.
The Board administers its oversight role in part through its committees. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing and reviewing cyber and information security risks, policies and programs and reviews the Company’s risk assessment, risk management and compliance policies twice a year. Senior leaders, including Matson’s Chief Information Officer, review the Company’s cybersecurity program with the Board of Directors at least annually, and the Chief Information Officer meets with the Audit Committee at least twice per year. Matson’s information security efforts are led by its Chief Information Officer, who has over 25 years of experience in enterprise software development, infrastructure and management, including over 17 years with Matson and 7 years at Charles Schwab as Senior Manager of Middleware Security, and Senior Director, Information Security, who is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional, Certified Information Systems Auditor, and is AWS Certified. The Chief Information Officer and Senior Director provide regular briefings to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Board of Directors, and the Audit Committee. In addition, the Corporate Compliance Committee, comprised of business unit leaders, helps oversee cybersecurity initiatives and reports twice per year to the Audit Committee. These processes are part of the risk management processes described in the risk management and strategy section above.
The Audit Committee also oversees Matson’s ERM program, which includes cyber and information security risks. The ERM process, which follows the Committee of Sponsoring Organization Framework, is designed to promote visibility to the Board and management of critical risks and risk mitigation strategies across various time frames, including the
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short-, medium- and long-term. Risk mitigation efforts are integrated into strategic plans and budgets. The Chief Financial Officer and Head of Internal Audit review the Company’s risk management activities with the Audit Committee and the Board on a regular basis. Management also regularly updates the full Board at and between Board meetings on the ERM program and other risk-related matters. In addition, executive sessions of the Board, which are led by the Lead Independent Director, have focused on certain risk oversight topics from time to time. The Lead Independent Director consults with the Chairman of the Board regarding risk-focused topics at Board meetings.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Matson leases terminal facilities including berth, yard, office and storage spaces. Material terminal facilities used by the Company’s Ocean Transportation segment include the following:
Terminal Location Acreage
Honolulu, Hawaii 105
Anchorage, Alaska 38
Dutch Harbor, Alaska 18
Kodiak, Alaska 6
Tacoma, Washington 15
Polaris Point, Guam 30
The Company’s other primary terminal facilities located at the ports of Oakland and Long Beach, California, and Tacoma, Washington are leased by SSAT.
Other material facilities used by the Company’s Logistics segment include the following:
Other Material Facilities Description of Facility Square Footage
Leased facilities:
Pooler, Georgia Warehouse 710,844
Oakland, California Warehouse 406,463
Pooler, Georgia Warehouse 324,832
Oakland, California Warehouse 132,000
Auburn, Washington Office / Cross-dock 51,250
Owned facilities:
Anchorage, Alaska Office / Cross-dock 54,000
Fairbanks, Alaska Office / Cross-dock 25,350
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Environmental Matters: The Company faces certain risks that could result in material expenditures related to environmental remediation. The Company believes that based on all information currently available to it, the Company is currently in compliance, in all material respects, with applicable environmental laws and regulations.
In accordance with SEC rules, with respect to administrative or judicial proceedings involving the environment, the Company has determined that it will disclose any such proceeding if it reasonably believes such proceeding will result in monetary sanctions, exclusive of interest and costs, at or in excess of $1 million. The Company believes that such threshold is reasonably designed to result in disclosure of environmental proceedings that are material to its business or financial condition.
Other Matters: The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to, or may be contingently liable in connection with, other legal actions arising in the normal course of their businesses, the outcomes of which, in the opinion of management after consultation with counsel, would not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
General Information: Matson’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “MATX”. As of February 16, 2024, there were 1,904 shareholders of record of Matson common stock.
Stockholder Return Performance Graph and Trading Information:The following information in this Item 5 shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933.
The cumulative total return listed below assumed an initial investment of $100 and reinvestment of dividends at each fiscal end and measures the performance of this investment as of the last trading day in the month of December for each of the five years ended December 31, 2023. The graph is a historical representation of past performance only and is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
The graph above represents $100 invested on December 31, 2018 in the Company’s stock or the indicated index, including reinvestment of dividends.
Trading volume averaged 274,339 shares a day in 2023, compared with 431,336 shares a day in 2022 and 291,899 shares a day in 2021, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange.
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Dividends: Dividends per share of common stock declared by the Company for each fiscal quarter during 2023, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
Matson’s Board of Directors also declared a cash dividend of $0.32 per share for the first quarter 2024, payable on March 7, 2024 to shareholders of record on February 8, 2024. Although Matson expects to continue paying quarterly cash dividends on its common stock, the declaration and payment of dividends are subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and depends upon Matson’s financial condition, results of operations, cash requirements and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.
Share Repurchases: The following is a summary of common stock repurchased by the Company during the three months ended December 31, 2023:
Total Number of Maximum Number
Shares Purchased of Shares that May
Total Number of as Part of Publicly Yet Be Purchased
Shares Average Price Announced Plans or Under the Plans or
Period Purchased Paid Per Share Programs (1) Programs
ITEM 6. REMOVED AND RESERVED
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND RISK FACTORS
The Company, from time to time, may make or may have made certain forward-looking statements, whether orally or in writing, such as, among others, forecasts or projections of the Company’s future performance or statements of management’s plans and objectives. These statements are considered “forward-looking” statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements may be contained in, among other things, SEC filings such as Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders, the Company’s Sustainability Report, press releases made by the Company, the Company’s Internet websites (including websites of its subsidiaries), and oral statements made by officers of the Company. Except for historical information contained in these written or oral communications, all other statements are forward-looking statements. These include, for example, all references to 2024 or future years, including such references included under “Fourth Quarter 2023 Discussion and Update on Business Conditions,” as well as statements generally identified through the inclusion of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “can,” “commit,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “target,” “should,” “seek,” and “will,” or similar statements or variations of such terms and other similar expressions. New risks or uncertainties may emerge from time to time, risks that the Company currently does not consider to be material could become material, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all such risks, nor can it assess the impact of all such risks on the Company’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results or outcomes, or the timing of results or outcomes, to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, forward-looking statements cannot be relied upon as a guarantee of future results or outcomes and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those projected in the statements, including but not limited to the factors that are described in Part I, Item 1A under the caption “Risk Factors” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which section is incorporated herein by reference, and elsewhere in this report. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly forward-looking statements or any factors that may affect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, circumstances occurring after the date of this report, or otherwise.
OVERVIEW
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is designed to provide a discussion of the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect its future results from the perspective of management. The discussion that follows is intended to provide information that assists in understanding the changes in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements from year to year, the primary factors that accounted for those changes, and how certain accounting principles, policies and estimates affected the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The MD&A is provided as a supplement to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II below, and should be read in conjunction with the entirety of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K, and other publicly available information. Discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Matson for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared with the year ended December 31, 2021 can be found in Part II, Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023.
The MD&A is presented in the following sections:
◾ Historical Financial Information
◾ Fourth Quarter 2023 Discussion and Outlook for 2024
◾ Consolidated Results of Operations
◾ Analysis of Operating Revenue and Income by Segment
◾ Liquidity and Capital Resources
◾ Commitments, Contingencies and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
◾ Critical Accounting Estimates
◾ Other Matters
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HISTORICAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The comparative selected financial information of the Company is presented for each of the past five years ended December 31, 2023. The information should be read in conjunction with Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” All fiscal years include 52 weeks, except for the year ended December 31, 2021 which includes 53 weeks (a description of the Company’s fiscal year is included in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II below):
Operating Revenue:
Operating and Net Income:
Interest income 36.0 8.2 — — —
Other income (expense), net 6.4 8.5 6.4 6.1 1.2
Capital Expenditures:
Depreciation and Amortization:
Earnings Per Share in Net Income:
Cash dividends per share declared $ 1.26 $ 1.22 $ 1.06 $ 0.90 $ 0.86
As of December 31:
Capital Construction Fund (“CCF”) (3) $ 599.4 $ 518.2 $ — $ — $ —
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FOURTH QUARTER 2023 DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK FOR 2024
Ocean Transportation: The Company’s container volume in the Hawaii service in the fourth quarter 2023 was 1.9 percent lower year-over-year. The decrease was primarily due to lower general demand. According to UHERO’s most recent forecast report, the Hawaii economy is projected to grow modestly despite challenged growth in visitor arrivals primarily due to reduced tourism to Maui as a result of the wildfires last year and sluggish recovery of international tourism. The Company expects volume in 2024 to be comparable to the level in 2023, reflecting modest economic growth in Hawaii and stable market share.
In China, the Company’s container volume in the fourth quarter 2023 increased 23.3 percent year-over-year. The increase was primarily due to higher demand for the China service resulting in higher volumes for both CLX and CLX+. The Company achieved lower freight rates in the fourth quarter 2023 as compared to the prior year period. Currently in the Transpacific marketplace, the Company continues to see steady U.S. consumer demand, which the Company expects to lead to similar demand for Matson’s CLX and CLX+ services in 2024 as in 2023. The Company also expects average freight rates in 2024 to be modestly higher than the levels achieved in 2023.
In Guam, the Company’s container volume in the fourth quarter 2023 increased 2.0 percent year-over-year primarily due to higher general demand. In the near-term, the Company expects continued improvement in the Guam economy with a low unemployment rate and a modest increase in tourism. For 2024, the Company expects volume to approximate the level achieved last year.
In Alaska, the Company’s container volume for the fourth quarter 2023 decreased 0.6 percent year-over-year due to lower export seafood volume from the Alaska-Asia Express service (“AAX”), partially offset by higher northbound volume due to an additional sailing and higher southbound volume due to higher domestic seafood volume. In the near-term, the Company expects continued economic growth in Alaska supported by a low unemployment rate, jobs growth and lower levels of inflation. For 2024, the Company expects volume to approximate the level achieved last year.
The contribution in the fourth quarter 2023 from the Company’s SSAT joint venture investment was $4.1 million, or $3.1 million higher than the fourth quarter 2022. For 2024, the Company expects the contribution from SSAT to be higher than the levels achieved in 2023 due to an expected increase in lift volumes.
Absent a significant change in trajectory of the U.S. economy, the Company expects trade dynamics across all its tradelanes in 2024 to be comparable to 2023 as consumer-related spending activity is expected to remain stable and, as noted above, the Company also expects increased operating income contributions from SSAT. As such, the Company expects full year 2024 Ocean Transportation operating income to be higher than the $294.8 million achieved in 2023. In the first quarter 2024, the Company expects Ocean Transportation operating income to be lower than the $27.8 million achieved in the first quarter 2023.
Logistics: In the fourth quarter 2023, operating income for the Company’s Logistics segment was $8.9 million, or $3.9 million lower compared to the level achieved in the fourth quarter 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a lower contribution from transportation brokerage. For 2024, the Company expects challenging business conditions for transportation brokerage at least through the first half of the year, which the Company expects to lead to operating income being lower in 2024 than the level achieved in 2023. For the first quarter 2024, the Company expects Logistics operating income to be lower than the $10.9 million achieved in the first quarter 2023.
Consolidated Operating Income: For full year 2024, the Company expects consolidated operating income to approximate the $342.8 million achieved in 2023 and expects comparable seasonality to the prior year. For the first quarter 2024, the Company expects consolidated operating income to be lower than the $38.7 million achieved in the first quarter 2023.
Depreciation and Amortization: For the full year 2024, the Company expects depreciation and amortization expense to be approximately $180 million, inclusive of dry-docking amortization of approximately $27 million.
Interest Income: The Company expects interest income for the full year 2024 to be approximately $35 million.
Interest Expense: The Company expects interest expense for the full year 2024 to be approximately $8 million.
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Other Income (Expense): The Company expects full year 2024 other income (expense) to be approximately $7 million in income, which is attributable to other component costs related to the Company’s pension and post-retirement plans.
Income Taxes: In the fourth quarter 2023, the Company’s effective tax rate was 26.0 percent. For the full year 2024, the Company expects its effective tax rate to be approximately 22.0 percent.
Capital and Vessel Dry-docking Expenditures: For the full year 2023, the Company made capital expenditure payments excluding new builds of $195.5 million, capitalized vessel construction expenditures of $52.9 million, and dry-docking payments of $24.1 million. For the full year 2024, the Company expects to make other capital expenditure payments, including maintenance capital expenditures, of approximately $180 to $200 million, new vessel construction expenditures (including capitalized interest and owner’s items) of approximately $75 million, and dry-docking payments of approximately $35 million.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following analysis of the financial results of operations of Matson for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II below.
Consolidated Results: 2023 compared with 2022:
Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) 2023 2022 Change
Other income (expense), net 6.4 8.5 (2.1) (24.7) %
Fiscal Year: Fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 include 52 weeks.
Consolidated Operating Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased $1,248.4 million, or 28.7 percent, compared to the prior year. The decrease was due to decrease in Ocean Transportation revenue of $1,067.6 million and a decrease in Logistics revenue of $180.8 million.
Operating Costs and Expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased $237.6 million, or 7.9 percent, compared to the prior year. The decrease was due to a decrease in Ocean Transportation operating costs and expenses of $81.2 million and a decrease in Logistics operating costs and expenses of $156.4 million.
Operating Income for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased $1,010.8 million, or 74.7 percent, compared to the prior year. The decrease was due to a decrease in Ocean Transportation operating income of $986.4 million and a decrease in Logistics operating income of $24.4 million.
The reasons for changes in operating revenue, operating costs and expenses, and operating income are described below, by business segment, in “Analysis of Operating Revenue and Income by Segment.”
Interest Income was $36.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $8.2 million in the prior year. The increase in interest income was due to amounts on deposit in cash and cash equivalent accounts, and cash on deposit within the Capital Construction Fund that were invested in interest bearing accounts during the year ended December 31, 2023.
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Interest Expense was $12.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $18.0 million in the prior year. The decrease in interest expense was due to lower outstanding debt during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the prior year.
Other Income (Expense), net was $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $8.5 million in the prior year, and relates to the amortization of certain components of net periodic benefit costs or gains related to the Company’s pension and post-retirement plans. The decrease in Other income (expense) was due to unfavorable adjustments reflected in the Company’s pension and post-retirement plan liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Income Taxes for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $75.9 million, or 20.3 percent of income before income taxes, compared to $288.4 million, or 21.3 percent of income before income taxes in the prior year. The 2023 income tax rate benefited from certain discrete tax adjustments that lowered the effective tax rate in the current year.
Net Income during the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased $766.8 million, or 72.1 percent, to $297.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the prior year.
ANALYSIS OF OPERATING REVENUE AND INCOME BY SEGMENT
The following analysis of operating revenue and income by segment for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 should be read in conjunction with the Company’s reportable segments information included in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II.
Ocean Transportation:2023 compared with 2022:
Years Ended December 31,
Operating income margin 11.9 % 36.1 %
Ocean Transportation revenue decreased $1,067.6 million, or 30.1 percent, during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to lower average freight rates and volume in China.
On a year-over-year FEU basis, Hawaii container volume decreased 3.0 percent primarily due to lower general westbound demand and lower eastbound volume; Alaska volume decreased 5.8 percent due to lower export seafood volume from the AAX; China volume was 13.7 percent lower primarily due to CCX volume in the first nine months of 2022 (the CCX service was discontinued in the third quarter 2022); Guam volume was 4.7 percent lower primarily due to lower general demand; and Other containers volume decreased 22.2 percent.
Ocean Transportation operating income decreased $986.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to lower freight rates and volume in China and a lower contribution from SSAT, partially offset by lower operating costs and expenses including fuel-related expenses primarily related to the discontinuation of the CCX service and lower fuel costs and the timing of fuel-related surcharge collections.
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The Company’s SSAT terminal joint venture investment contributed $2.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to a contribution of $83.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily driven by lower demurrage revenue.
Logistics:2023 compared with 2022:
Years Ended December 31,
Operating income margin 7.8 % 9.1 %
Logistics revenue decreased $180.8 million, or 22.6 percent, during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to lower revenue in transportation brokerage.
Logistics operating income decreased $24.4 million, or 33.7 percent, during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared with the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to lower contributions from transportation brokerage and supply chain management.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company’s primary sources of liquidity are its cash flows generated from operating activities and its debt. Sources of liquidity available to the Company as of December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022, were as follows:
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Accounts Receivable: Cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and accounts receivable, net as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
As of December 31,
Restricted cash $ 2.3 $ 3.9 $ (1.6)
Changes in the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
As of December 31,
Change
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Change
Non-cash depreciation and amortization 3.1 5.4
Deferred income taxes (70.6) 57.0
Other non-cash related changes, net 4.9 (1.7)
Income and distribution from SSAT, net 33.6 (26.4)
Accounts receivable, net (85.5) 164.9
Prepaid expenses and other assets 78.7 2.9
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities 42.6 (71.3)
Operating lease liabilities 9.3 (54.4)
Non-cash amortization of operating lease right of use assets (11.0) 49.7
Deferred dry-docking payments 1.6 10.6
Non-cash deferred dry-docking amortization 0.4 0.6
Other long-term liabilities (1.7) 14.0
Income from SSAT was $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $83.1 million in the prior year. The decrease in income from SSAT was primarily due to lower operating profits generated by SSAT during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the prior year. No cash distributions were received from SSAT during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $47.3 million of dividends received in the prior year. Cash distributions from SSAT are dependent on the level of cash available for distribution after SSAT’s operational and capital needs. Changes in accounts receivable were primarily due to the timing of collections associated with those receivables. Changes in prepaid expenses and other assets were primarily due to a decrease in prepaid income taxes at the end of December 31, 2023 as compared to the prior year. Changes in accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities were primarily due to the timing of payments associated with those liabilities. Changes in operating lease liabilities were primarily due to operating leases that expired during the year ended December 31, 2023, partially offset by new operating leases entered into during the year ended December 31, 2023. Deferred dry-docking payments were $24.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $25.7 million in the prior year. The decrease in deferred dry-docking payments was due to a decrease in vessel dry-dock related activities during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to the prior year.
Change
Cash deposits and interest into the CCF $ 454.3 $ (551.6)
Withdrawals from CCF (14.7) 33.4
Capitalized vessel construction expenditures 9.5 (47.5)
During the year ended December 31, 2023, cash deposits and interest earned in the CCF were $100.0 million and $28.5 million, respectively, compared to $579.7 million and $3.1 million in the prior year, respectively. Cash withdrawals from the CCF were $49.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $64.6 million in the prior year, and were related to vessel construction milestone payments. Capitalized vessel construction expenditures were $52.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $62.4 million in the prior year. The decrease in capitalized vessel construction expenditures was due to the timing of milestone payments related to the Company’s new fleet renewal program. Capital expenditures (excluding vessel construction expenditures) were $195.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $146.9 million for the prior year. Capital expenditures (excluding vessel construction expenditures) during the year ended December 31, 2023 included costs associated with LNG installations and the reengining of an existing vessel, and the purchase of additional containers, chassis and other terminal equipment to support the Company’s operational activities.
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Change
Repurchase of Matson common stock $ 241.8 $ (198.7)
Repayments of fixed interest debt 34.6 (52.2)
Repayments and borrowings under revolving credit facility, net — 71.8
Dividends paid 3.0 (2.1)
Payment of financing costs — 3.0
The Company paid $155.2 million to repurchase common stock during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $397.0 million in the prior year. The Company did not issue any new fixed interest debt during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company paid $76.9 million of prepaid and scheduled fixed interest debt principal payments, compared to $111.5 million of prepaid scheduled principal payments during the prior year. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company paid $71.8 million, net, to fully repay the Company’s revolving credit facility. There were no borrowings under the revolving credit facility during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Capital Construction Fund:The Company utilizes its CCF to fund milestone payments for the construction of new vessels. The Company’s CCF is described in Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Cash on deposit in the CCF and assigned accounts receivable as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
As of December 31,
Capital Construction Fund:
Assigned accounts receivables $ 218.1 $ 9.9
During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company deposited $128.5 million and $582.8 million into the CCF, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company made withdrawals of $49.9 million and $64.6 million out of the CCF, respectively, which were used to make milestone payments for the construction of new vessels. Cash on deposit in the CCF is held in short term U.S. Treasury Obligation Funds and is classified as a long-term asset in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, as the Company intends to use qualified cash withdrawals from the CCF to fund long-term investments in the construction of new vessels. Assigned accounts receivable in the CCF are classified as part of accounts receivable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets due to the nature of the assignment.
In February 2024, the Company purchased approximately $450 million of fixed-rate U.S. Treasuries with CCF cash deposits. The fixed-rate investments have various maturity dates up to 3 years.
Debt: The Company utilizes a mix of fixed and variable debt for liquidity and to fund the Company’s operations. Total debt as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 is as follows:
As of December 31,
Total debt decreased by $76.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the prior year. The decrease in fixed interest debt was due to the $26.4 million prepayments of Title XI debt, and scheduled debt repayments of private placement term loans and Title XI debt made during the year ended December 31, 2023.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $644.2 million of unused capacity under the revolving credit facility, with a maturity date of March 31, 2026. The Company’s debt is described in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II.
Working Capital: The Company had a working capital surplus of $40.0 million at December 31, 2023, compared to a working capital surplus of $178.0 million at December 31, 2022. Working capital is primarily impacted by the amount
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of net cash provided by operating activities, the amount of capital expenditures, the amount and timing of collections associated with accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets, and the amount and timing of payments associated with accounts payable, accruals, income taxes, debt and other liabilities. The decrease in the Company’s working capital surplus during the year ended December 31, 2023 was due to the decrease in cash provided by operating activities and higher capital expenditures during the year.
Capital Expenditures: The Company expects to make the following capital expenditures during the years ending December 31, 2024, 2025 and 2026:
New vessel construction milestone payments and related costs are for the Company’s new vessel program for the construction of three new vessels at a cost of approximately $1.0 billion with expected delivery dates during the fourth quarter of 2026, the second quarter of 2027 and the fourth quarter of 2027. Future milestone payments are expected to be financed with cash currently on deposit in the Company’s CCF, cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and through cash flows generated from future operations, borrowings available under the Company’s unsecured revolving credit facility or additional debt financings.
LNG installations on existing vessels includes capital expenditures for the installation of tanks, piping and cryogenic equipment on existing Aloha Class vessels so that they can operate on LNG and conventional fuels. The LNG installation project on Kaimana Hila is currently scheduled to begin during the second quarter of 2024 at a cost of approximately $47 million. Additionally, the reengining of Manukai to operate on LNG and conventional fuels is in progress with an expected remaining cost of approximately $72 million.
Maintenance and other capital expenditures include amounts that the Company expects to spend on various capital projects, including capital expenditures related to the second and third phase of its program to modernize and renovate its terminal facility at Sand Island, Honolulu, Hawaii, repurchases of leased equipment, vessel capital maintenance and annual equipment purchases to support the Company’s operations. The Company expects to fund these capital expenditures (including the LNG installations) with cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and through cash flows generated from future operating activities.
Repurchase of Shares: During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repurchased approximately 2.1 million shares for a total cost of $158.2 million. The remaining number of shares that may be repurchased under the Company’s stock repurchase program was 2,462,188 shares at December 31, 2023.
COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
Commitments and Contingencies: A description of other commitments and contingencies is set forth in Note 9, Note 11 and Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II below, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Off-balance Sheet Arrangements: The Company is not currently party to any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II below. The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, upon which the Company’s Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based, requires that management exercise judgment in making accounting estimates about future events that may affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty and actual results will, inevitably, differ from those accounting estimates. These differences could be material.
The Company considers an accounting estimate to be critical if (i)(a) the accounting estimate requires the Company to make assumptions that are difficult or subjective about matters that were highly uncertain at the time that the accounting estimate was made, (b) changes in the estimate are reasonably likely to occur in periods after the period in which the estimate was made, or (c) the Company could have used different estimates; and (ii) changes in those accounting estimates would have had a material impact on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company. The critical accounting policies and estimates considered in the preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements are described below. Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.