In the world of cross-border e-commerce, supply chain reliability often hinges on the punctual arrival of cargo ships. If global logistics were a relay race, any delay in ocean freight could mean losing the entire game. This report examines Matson Express's shipping schedules during weeks 41-43 of October (October 3-23), analyzing key operational metrics including actual departure times and estimated arrival dates to provide e-commerce sellers and freight forwarders with actionable insights for optimizing logistics strategies.
Week 41 (October 3-9) Performance Analysis
Despite China's National Day holiday period, Matson maintained high-frequency operations. Two vessels were deployed: the CLX regular service vessel Daniel K. Inouye 066E (DKI) and the CLX+ supplemental vessel Matson Niihau 023E (MNX) .
CLX Regular Service: The 3,600-TEU capacity Daniel K. Inouye departed Shanghai at 7:30 PM on October 5, closely matching its scheduled October 16 arrival at Long Beach. This represents optimal schedule adherence.
CLX+ Supplemental Service: The 2,848-TEU Matson Niihau left Shanghai at 9:30 PM on October 6, arriving at Long Beach on October 18 at 4:00 AM—a minor 7-hour delay from its projected schedule.
Week 42 (October 10-16) Operational Review
Matson deployed the CLX vessel Manukai 230E (MKI) alongside the CLX+ vessel Matson Kauai 007E (MKX) during this period.
CLX Regular Service: The 2,600-TEU Manukai departed Shanghai at 1:30 PM on October 12, maintaining its projected October 23 arrival at Matson's C60 terminal in Long Beach.
CLX+ Supplemental Service: The high-capacity 4,250-TEU Matson Kauai left Shanghai at 12:30 PM on October 13, arriving at Long Beach's public A terminal on October 25 at 12:00 AM—approximately 12 hours behind schedule.
Week 43 (October 17-23) Projected Schedules
Matson planned to operate the CLX vessel Manulani 185E (MLI) and CLX+ vessel Matson Lanai 023E (LNX) during this period:
- CLX Regular Service: The 2,600-TEU Manulani scheduled October 18-19 departures from Ningbo and Shanghai with October 30 arrival projection
- CLX+ Supplemental Service: The 4,250-TEU Matson Lanai planned October 19-20 departures targeting October 31 arrival
Key Findings and Recommendations
Analysis of Matson's October operations reveals three critical insights:
- Consistent Performance: Most vessels maintained schedule adherence within acceptable margins, with minor delays averaging 6-12 hours
- Capacity Management: CLX+ vessels demonstrated superior capacity (averaging 3,800 TEU vs. CLX's 2,900 TEU), providing crucial inventory flexibility
- Port Congestion: Long Beach terminal operations showed varying efficiency between Matson's dedicated C60 terminal (faster processing) and public terminals
Strategic recommendations for supply chain managers:
- Build 24-48 hour buffer periods into inventory planning to accommodate potential delays
- Prioritize CLX service for time-sensitive shipments and CLX+ for high-volume orders
- Monitor terminal-specific performance metrics when selecting shipping options
- Maintain real-time communication channels with logistics partners
Market Outlook
As cross-border e-commerce continues its expansion, reliable transpacific shipping solutions will remain essential. Matson's demonstrated operational consistency positions it as a key facilitator of U.S.-China trade flows. Future success will depend on maintaining schedule integrity while adapting to evolving port infrastructure challenges.
For e-commerce enterprises, shipping reliability isn't just a logistical concern—it's the foundation of customer satisfaction and competitive advantage. This operational analysis provides the empirical basis for making informed supply chain decisions in an increasingly complex global marketplace.