Matson Navigation Company headquartered in Honolulu, established in 1882, and grew to ninth largest in the world according to Investopedia. The company ships cargo between Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Micronesia, the Pacific Islands, China, and Japan. However, it has decided it will allow no EV cargo on Matson ships for the foreseeable future.
Not Accepting EVs As Cargo Is a Setback
Matson made the surprise announcement on July 18, 2025. If other major shippers follow this example, then this could be a serious blow to the global electric vehicle industry. Matson’s appears to be a blanket embargo, regardless of whether an EV has a lithium-ion battery or not.
Matson has written to its customers explaining its predicament. It is concerned about the risk of transporting vehicles with large lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, it has decided there will be no EV cargo on Matson ships right now. This decision is regardless of whether they are new or used, battery-electric or hybrid vehicles.
The Maritime Executive spoke to the Hawaii Electric Vehicle Association. They confirmed the presence of some 37,000 electric vehicles in the state, or 3.5% of the total. We assume another shipping company will step in, and close the gap.
Matson Shipping Has Tried to Avoid This
The Matson Navigation Company has tried to avoid making their decision by improving its procedures. These steps include:
- A view of the shore-side process and used battery shipment checklists.
- Procedures to prevent fires onboard, and to fight them if they begin.
- Proper stowage, and thermal imaging cameras to spot temperature spikes.
- Deployment of ‘hydro pens’ that drill into containers and extinguish fires.
Several container vessels have been lost following EV fires on board. Maritime Executive lists Morning Midas (2025), Freemantle Highway (2023), and Felicity Ace (2022).
The notice to customers concludes as follows, “Matson continues to support industry efforts to develop comprehensive standards, and procedures to address fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries at sea.
“We plan to resume acceptance of EVs when appropriate safety solutions that meet our requirements can be implemented.” Until then, there will be no EV cargo on Matson ships. In the interim though, Matson will continue transporting conventional, internal combustion vehicles and other cargo.
More Information
Electric Vehicle Cargo Ablaze on Ship at Sea
Rules for Shipping Used Lithium-Ion Batteries
