Represents the percentage of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements with unions that expire in 2014.

No definition available.

Name:	matx_PercentageOfEmployeeCoveredByCollectiveBargainingAgreementsWhichExpireIn2014
Namespace Prefix:	matx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the percentage of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements with unions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	matx_PercentageOfEmployeeCoveredByCollectiveBargainingAgreementsWithUnions
Namespace Prefix:	matx_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationCostsRecognizedAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The charge against earnings in the period for known or estimated future costs arising from requirements to perform environmental remediation activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 410

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 12

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13296-110859

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount borrowed under the credit facility as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAmountOutstanding
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of judgment or settlement awarded to (against) the entity in respect of litigation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of litigation expense, including but not limited to legal, forensic, accounting, and investigative fees.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationSettlementExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of loss contingency liability expected to be resolved within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualCarryingValueCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of the obligation recognized by withdrawing from a pension or postretirement benefit plan to which two or more unrelated employers contribute where assets contributed by one participating employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MultiemployerPlansWithdrawalObligation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 23, 2014 Subsequent event	Dec. 31, 2013 Standby letters of credit	Dec. 31, 2013 Benefit plan withdrawal obligations	Dec. 31, 2013 Self-insured workers' compensation and other insurance	Dec. 31, 2013 U.S. Custom bonds	Dec. 31, 2013 Transportation and other bonds
Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies
Commitments and financial arrangements	$ 5.8		$ 1.2		$ 4.6
Commitments and financial arrangements	20.6					19.2	1.4
Multiemployer Plan Withdrawal Obligation				110.6
Percentage of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements with unions	26.00%
Percentage of employees covered by agreements that expire in 2014.	24.00%
Environmental Remediation Costs Recognized
Response costs, legal expenses, and third party claims related to the release of molasses	3.0
Settlement amount of all claims		9.0
Legal expenses		$ 0.95