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Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies:
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies:  
Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies:

(4)                                 Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies:  Commitments and financial arrangements at June 30, 2013, included the following (in millions):

 

Standby letters of credit (a)

 

$

6.8

 

Performance and customs bonds (b)

 

$

20.4

 

Benefit plan withdrawal obligations (c)

 

$

102.1

 

 

These amounts are not recorded on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and it is not expected that the Company or its subsidiaries will be called upon to advance funds under these commitments.

 

(a)                     Includes approximately $5.6 million in letters of credit which are required for the Company’s self-insured workers’ compensation programs and its other insurance programs, and approximately $1.2 million in letters of credit used to support various credit enhancement needs.

 

(b)                     Consists of approximately $19.2 million in U.S. Customs bonds, and approximately $1.2 million related to transportation and other matters.

 

(c)                      Represents the withdrawal liabilities as of the most recent valuation dates for multiemployer pension plans, in which Matson is a participant. Management has no present intention of withdrawing from, and does not anticipate the termination of, any of the aforementioned plans.

 

Environmental Matters:  As with most transportation companies of its size, the Company’s shipping business has certain risks that could result in expenditures for environmental remediation.  The Company believes that based on all information available to it, the Company is in compliance, in all material respects, with applicable environmental laws and regulations.

 

Other Legal Matters: On June 10, 2013, Matson was served with a complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California by an individual plaintiff as realtor on behalf of the United States asserting claims against Matson and certain other ocean carriers and freight forwarders for violations of the False Claims Act.  The case is entitled United States of America, ex rel. Mario Rizzo v. Horizon Lines, LLC et al.  The qui tam complaint alleges that Matson and the other defendants submitted or created records supporting false claims for payment of fuel surcharges assessed on the shipment of military household goods to the Department of Defense.  The federal government has declined to intervene in this qui tam suit.  The individual plaintiff in the suit seeks damages and penalties on behalf of the federal government, and may be entitled to a portion of any recovery or settlement resulting from the suit.  Matson believes that the suit is without merit and at this time is unable to estimate any possible loss.

 

Matson and its subsidiaries are parties to, or may be contingently liable in connection with, other legal actions arising in the normal conduct of their businesses, the outcomes of which, in the opinion of management after consultation with counsel, would not have a material effect on Matson’s consolidated financial statements.