Horizon Lines Announces Senior Management Appointments

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Lines, Inc. (OTCQB: HRZL) today announced that Geoffrey Thurston is being named Senior Vice President and General Manager for the company's Puerto Rico trade. Mr. Thurston will succeed Richard Rodriguez, who will become the Vice President Terminal Services. The new appointments will take effect December 2, 2013.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121119/MM15928LOGO )

Mr. Thurston brings over 25 years of experience in the ocean transport sector and proven senior leadership in commercial strategy and operations. He most recently served as Vice President Commercial & Trades for Tropical Shipping, LTD, with commercial, operating and P&L responsibilities. His previous roles included VP/GM of Acquisitions and Business Development, Hispaniola trade management, and senior sales management positions at Tropical as well as the former Puerto Rico container shipping line Navieras, Inc.

"Geoff brings a comprehensive understanding of the market, strategies, and customers in the Puerto Rico trade," said Sam Woodward, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Horizon has made significant improvements in our Puerto Rico lane profitability in 2013, and I have great confidence in Geoff's ability to build on that momentum going forward."

Richard Rodriguez has accepted the newly created position of Vice President Terminal Services to oversee and optimize the value of the carrier's terminals throughout the company. Most recently, Richard served as Vice President and General Manager for Puerto Rico.

"Richard has successfully repositioned the Puerto Rico service under the toughest of market conditions, with revamped service offerings in the Northeast, Southeast and Gulf. Richard will bring his expertise to focus on new opportunities for Horizon's terminal operations in Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Alaska," said Bill Hamlin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

About Horizon Lines 
Horizon Lines, Inc. is one of the nation's leading domestic ocean shipping companies and the only ocean cargo carrier serving all three noncontiguous domestic markets of Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico from the continental United States. The company owns a fleet of 13 fully Jones Act-qualified vessels and operates five port terminals in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. A trusted partner for many of the nation's leading retailers, manufacturers and U.S. government agencies, Horizon Lines provides reliable transportation services that leverage its unique combination of ocean transportation and inland distribution capabilities to deliver goods that are vital to the prosperity of the markets it serves. The company is based in Charlotte, NC, and its stock trades on the over-the-counter market under the symbol HRZL.

Forward Looking Statements 
The information contained in this press release should be read in conjunction with our filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are those that do not relate solely to historical fact. They include, but are not limited to, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance, achievements or events. Words such as, but not limited to, "believe," "anticipate," "plan," "targets," "projects," "will," "expect," "would," "could," "should," "may," and similar expressions or phrases identify forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainties. In light of these risks and uncertainties, expected results or other anticipated events or circumstances discussed in this press release might not occur. The forward-looking statements included in the press release are made only as of the date they are made and the company undertakes no obligation to update any such statements, except as otherwise required by applicable law. See the section entitled "Risk Factors" in our 2012 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2013, for a more complete discussion of these risks and uncertainties and for other risks and uncertainties. Those factors and the other risk factors described therein are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could harm our results. Consequently, there can be no assurance that actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences.

SOURCE Horizon Lines, Inc.