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I've been tossing about the idea of getting a small ship starting a shipping business servicing Hawaii. I have been doing some reading on here and research about the current rates, but what I've seen is a couple years old and I would think recent fuel increases may have driven up the cost.
Just wondering what kinda rates are being charged for shipping from California to Honolulu? (40' Containers and vehicles). Would you guess there is much volume from Hawaii back to the Mainland?
What are your experiences with the current (3?) carriers, would a new one be welcomed? Because I would be a small operation, perhaps there would be a niche to a currently undeserved smaller area/island?
Before anyone shoots me down instantly, please understand I am just brainstorming, I am aware of licensing, insurance requirements etc. If I decide to do anything like this, I will conduct more market research - but I'm just exploring options now and want to get a feel for it, and opinions from you guys.
The current three carriers are just the dominent recognized carriers but there are about 8 all total. The truth is there isn't enough business for most ship owners to enter the Hawaii market considering the limits of shipped goods. Unlike most other places where you have point beyond, Hawaii is mostly a traditionally end port. It is not cost effectve or efficient for a ship yto leave the mainland, stop at Hawaii load and/or off load and go to points west. It is so much cheaper to load at the departure point and go right past Hawaii to the final destination.
Matson and Horizon Lines are able to profit because they ship the bulk of good between the mainland an Hawaii. By onky having two carriers, they are able to operate at a higher load capacity. If there were more ships involved, each would be carrying less and at some point, its no longre profitable for them and thats why nobody else has enetered the market. Pasha is the dominent roll on/off carrier and does the bulk of the wheeled cargo type but also can handle certain deck cargo. As with all three, 75% of their business is between the mainland and hawaii with only about 25% between hawaii and the mainland. You ahve to have serious east to west income to counter the revenue lost going west to east.
Now, although there is really little need for another cargo carrier, there is one area that is grossly underserved (not really served at all) and that is passneger service between the mainland and hawaii. Now, we are nto atlking crusie ship travel but rather the old style "crossing". Since air travel is really the only scheduled way to get to Hawaii anymore, those who have a flying phobia or need special attention (relocating with pets and dont want to use air travel) are sheet out of luck. That might be a posssible niche market that can be sucessful if market reserach support it.
I was thinking pet relocation as well. That seems to be a sticking point with many people wanting to travel with their pets.
The company i worked for is nearing a market research to create a passenger with pet flights, but so far, all market research is indcating that everyone wants it, but nobody wants to pay for it. i suspect the same will hapen for sea travel, people will all say yes, Yes YES untilt hey hear the cost and suddenly, fido ain't worth it.
The company i worked for is nearing a market research to create a passenger with pet flights, but so far, all market research is indcating that everyone wants it, but nobody wants to pay for it. i suspect the same will hapen for sea travel, people will all say yes, Yes YES untilt hey hear the cost and suddenly, fido ain't worth it.
Well - I'd be interested in a cruise ship with a pool, gambling, buffets etc from the West Coast to Hawaii, I've always been surprised there seems to be no regular market for that. But 10 days on a barge without ammenities doesn't sound appealing at all.
Well - I'd be interested in a cruise ship with a pool, gambling, buffets etc from the West Coast to Hawaii, I've always been surprised there seems to be no regular market for that. But 10 days on a barge without ammenities doesn't sound appealing at all.
The major lines did the study and there was no way they will ever fill a regular scheuled crusie ship crossing to Hawaii to even break even. Their repositiong cruises don't even cover basic cost, but since they are going that way, might as well grab some money somehow.
A crossing on a regular scheduled basis would probably only get enough passenegers for maybe a once a month trip and you will need to have a much smaller vessel than the cruise lines and offer some smoking ammenties to get a person to sail for 5 days seeing nothing.
Well - I'd be interested in a cruise ship with a pool, gambling, buffets etc from the West Coast to Hawaii, I've always been surprised there seems to be no regular market for that.
Thanks, was wondering what they weregoing to do with the extra ships when they changed scheduling. I assumed it would go to the carribean but looks like they will give Hawaii a try. Humm may book one to see what its like.
Thanks, was wondering what they weregoing to do with the extra ships when they changed scheduling. I assumed it would go to the carribean but looks like they will give Hawaii a try. Humm may book one to see what its like.
Carnival has been going to Hawai'i from Vancouver and Ensenada for a long time. Now you can even start the trip in LA!
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