Young Brothers Ltd. boosted its fuel surcharge 51.8 percent today for freight shipped between the islands in response to fuel prices that have risen nearly 44 percent since March.

The increase to 4.22 percent from the 2.78 percent fee implemented in March marks the company’s third fuel surcharge since it started adding the fee to customer rates last December.

In December, the company initiated its first surcharge of 1.29 percent.

The rapid spike in oil prices — with diesel fuel rising to $4.17 a gallon from $2.90 three months ago — is driving the rate adjustment, the company said.

The adjustment reflects the average fuel costs for the previous three months, but does not reflect the current cost of fuel, said Roy Catalani, Young Brothers’ vice president of strategic planning and governmental relations.

“In response to escalating fuel prices, we are continuing to streamline and improve our equipment and our operations,” he said.

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(Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin)