Maunawili before storm damage

The Maunawili experienced structural damage to its hull during a severe storm on its way from China back to the United States, according to a Matson letter to its customers. The vessel is shown here prior to damage.

Matson, the main ocean carrier of goods from the U.S. mainland to Guam, will miss one of its weekly deliveries to the island next week.

The shipping delay isn’t caused by the labor dispute that’s affecting cargo movement at 29 West Coast ports, according to Matson.

Matson’s Guam and Hawaii-bound cargo, as well as military cargo and cruise ships, have been spared from the labor dispute involving the West Coast dockworkers’ union issue, said Bernie Valencia, Matson Guam’s general manager.

The one-week shipping delay for Guam-bound cargo is due to storm damage to Matson’s ship MV Maunawili, Valencia said.

Matson had previously estimated that the Maunawili would be repaired in time to set sail from Long Beach, California, last Sunday, but it turned out the repairs would take longer than previously expected, according to the company.

More at Guam PDN