Horizon Lines Reports Fourth-Quarter 2014 Financial Results

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Lines, Inc. (OTCQB: HRZL) today reported financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter ended December 21, 2014.

"Horizon Lines' fourth-quarter adjusted EBITDA increased 26.6% over the same period a year ago. The improvement in adjusted EBITDA was driven largely by higher fuel recovery, lower transit and replacement vessel costs associated with dry-docking of our vessels and increased space charter revenue," said Steve Rubin, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The factors driving adjusted EBITDA growth were partially offset by modestly lower rates, net of fuel and higher vessel operating costs. Results represent the third consecutive quarter of growth in adjusted EBITDA over prior-year results.  The fourth-quarter operating loss was driven by a $65.7 million pre-tax restructuring charge related to the decision to exit our Puerto Rico market."

Financial results are being presented on a continuing operations basis.

On November 11, 2014, the company announced plans to discontinue providing liner service between the United States and Puerto Rico and cease San Juan terminal service operations in the first quarter of 2015. Horizon Lines operated in the Puerto Rico market for all of 2014.  The company expects to meet the accounting criteria to classify Puerto Rico as a discontinued operation during 2015.

Fourth-Quarter 2014 Financial Highlights  

• Volume, Rate & Fuel Cost – Container volume for the 2014 fourth quarter totaled 56,872 revenue loads, up 244 loads from the same period a year ago.  Unit revenue per container totaled $4,110 in the fourth quarter, compared with $4,187 in 2013.  Unit revenue per container, net of fuel surcharges was $3,153, down 2.1% from $3,222 a year ago, primarily due to mix with more cars transported in Hawaii.  Vessel fuel costs averaged $572 per metric ton in the fourth quarter, down 10.9% from the average price of $642 per ton for the same quarter in 2013.   
• Operating Revenue – Fourth-quarter operating revenue increased 0.2% to $255.8 million from $255.4 million a year ago.  The factors in the $0.4 million revenue improvement were a $4.0 million growth in non-transportation revenue, a $0.8 million increase as a result of higher container volumes, partially offset by a $0.9 million decrease in fuel surcharges and a $3.5 million decline due to lower container rates.           
• Operating Loss – The GAAP operating loss for the fourth quarter totaled $(58.3) million, compared with income of $1.8 million a year ago.  The 2014 GAAP operating loss reflects expenses totaling $70.0 million associated with restructuring charges, transaction-related expense, an impairment charge and employee severance.  The 2013 GAAP operating income includes expenses totaling $3.1 million related to restructuring charges, transaction-related expense, an impairment charge and legal expenses and settlements. After excluding these items, fourth-quarter 2014 adjusted operating income totaled $11.7 million, compared with $4.9 million a year earlier (See reconciliation tables for specific line-item amounts).
•  EBITDA – EBITDA totaled $(47.6) million for the 2014 fourth quarter, compared with $14.7 million for the same period a year ago.  Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $22.4 million, versus $17.7 million for 2013.  EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA for the 2014 and 2013 fourth quarters were impacted by the same factors affecting operating income. In addition, adjusted EBITDA excludes changes in values of debt conversion features (See reconciliation tables for specific line-item amounts).
• Net Loss – On a GAAP basis, the fourth-quarter net loss totaled $(76.3) million, or $(1.88) per share on a weighted average of 40.6 million basic and fully diluted shares outstanding.  This compares with the prior-year net loss of $(14.0) million, or $(0.36) per basic and fully diluted share, based on a weighted average of 39.4 million basic and fully diluted shares outstanding.  On an adjusted basis, the 2014 fourth-quarter net loss totaled $(6.1) million, or $(0.14) per share, compared with a net loss of $(11.1) million, or $(0.27) per share, for the 2013 fourth quarter.  Adjusted net loss for the 2014 and 2013 fourth quarters reflects the same items that impacted adjusted EBITDA.  In addition, adjusted net loss for both periods excludes the accretion of non-cash interest.  Adjusted net loss for 2013 fourth-quarter also excludes the tax impact of the adjustments (See reconciliation tables for specific line-item amounts).
• Full-Year Results – For the full fiscal year ended December 21, 2014, operating revenue increased 4.9% to $1.08 billion from $1.03 billion for fiscal 2013. EBITDA totaled $25.4 million compared with $83.2 million a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA for 2014 totaled $102.5 million, versus $96.2 million in the prior year. The $6.3 million improvement was primarily due to higher volume, improved fuel recovery, increased space charter revenue and decreased workers compensation expense, partially offset by lower rates, net of fuel and higher vessel operating costs. Adjusted EBITDA for 2014 excludes expense totaling $77.0 million associated with restructuring charges, transaction-related expense, an impairment charge, legal settlements and expenses, severance and a gain from marking the conversion feature of debt to fair market value. Adjusted EBITDA in 2013 excludes expense totaling $13.0 million associated with each of the items affecting 2014 (See reconciliation tables for specific line-item amounts). The net loss for 2014 totaled $(94.6) million, or $(2.33) per share, based on a weighted average of 40.6 million shares outstanding. This compares with a 2013 net loss of $(33.4) million, or $(0.91) per share, based on a weighted average of 36.5 million shares outstanding. The adjusted net loss for 2014 totaled $(16.7) million, or $(0.41) per share, compared with an adjusted net loss of $(19.9) million, or $(0.55) per share per share, for 2013.      
• Shares Outstanding – The company had a daily weighted average of 40.6 million basic and fully diluted shares outstanding for the fourth quarter of 2014, and 40.6 million basic and fully diluted for the full year.  This compares with a daily weighted average of 39.4 million basic and fully diluted shares outstanding for the 2013 fourth quarter, and 36.5 million basic and fully diluted shares for the full year.  As of March 13, 2015, the equivalent of 92.4 million fully diluted shares of the company's stock were outstanding, consisting of 40.8 million shares of common stock and warrants convertible into 51.6 million shares of common stock.  

Liquidity & Debt Structure

The company had total liquidity of $80.3 million as of December 21, 2014, consisting of cash of $8.6 million and $71.7 million available under its asset-based loan (ABL) revolving credit facility. Funded debt outstanding totaled $534.2 million, consisting of: $218.3 million of 11.00% first-lien secured notes due October 15, 2016; $212.5 million of second-lien secured notes due October 15, 2016, bearing interest at 15.00%, being paid in kind with additional second-lien secured notes; a $70.1 million term loan to fund the January 2013 purchase of the company's Alaska vessels, bearing interest at 10.25% and maturing September 30, 2016; a $20.0 million super-priority term loan, also for purchase of the Alaska vessels, bearing interest at 8.00% and maturing September 30, 2016; $2.0 million of 6.00% convertible notes, due April 15, 2017; and $11.3 million in capital leases. There were no borrowings on the company's ABL revolving credit facility, which matures October 5, 2016 (but 90 days earlier if the First Lien Notes and the Second Lien Notes are not repaid or refinanced as of such date). The company's weighted average interest rate for funded debt was 12.4%.  Availability under the ABL revolving credit facility is based on a percentage of eligible accounts receivable and customary reserves, with a maximum of $100.0 million. Letters of credit issued against the ABL revolving credit facility totaled $11.4 million on December 21, 2014. 

Please see attached schedules for the reconciliation of fourth-quarter and full-year 2014 and 2013 reported GAAP results and Non-GAAP adjusted results.

2015 Outlook 

The 2015 outlook does not contemplate the consummation of the sale of our Hawaii business to Pasha or the completion of the merger with Matson as the timing and certainty of such transactions are unknown at this time.

We anticipate that our 2015 continuing operations will include our shipping and integrated logistics services to and from the continental U.S. and Alaska and Hawaii, vessel loading and unloading services that we provide for vessel operators at our terminals, agency services, and other non-transportation services, as we expect to meet the criteria to classify Puerto Rico as a discontinued operation during the first quarter of 2015.

We expect 2015 revenue container loads in our two remaining markets to be above 2014 levels due to anticipated modest volume growth in both markets we serve.  Overall, revenue container rates are expected to decline slightly in 2015 largely due to cargo mix.

We will experience increases in expenses associated with our revenue container volumes, including our vessel payroll costs and benefits, stevedoring, port charges, wharfage, inland transportation costs, and rolling stock costs, among others.

We expect four vessel dry-dockings in 2015 compared with two vessel dry-dockings in 2014. However, in 2014 one of the vessel dry-dockings resulted in negligible repositioning and incremental costs. As a result, we expect the costs associated with repositioning vessels and expenses related to spare vessels will meaningfully exceed 2014 levels.

Our operations share corporate and administrative functions such as finance, information technology, human resources, and legal. Centralized functions are performed primarily at our Charlotte, North Carolina, headquarters and at our operations center in Irving, Texas. Due to the discontinuation of our Puerto Rico operations, we will evaluate the appropriate level of resources to support our Alaska and Hawaii tradelanes throughout 2015. However, many of these expenses will continue for a portion of 2015.

In addition, we expect to incur costs associated with the discontinuance of our Puerto Rico operations of approximately $3.7 million in net outflows associated with restructuring charges and wind-down of our Puerto Rico business during 2015.

Based on our current level of operations, we believe cash flow from operations and borrowings available under the ABL Facility will be adequate to support our business plans.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

Horizon Lines reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The company also believes that the presentation of certain non-GAAP measures, i.e., EBITDA and results excluding certain expenses and income, provides useful information for the understanding of its ongoing operations and enables investors to focus on period-over-period operating performance without the impact of significant special items. The company further feels these non-GAAP measures enhance the user's overall understanding of the company's current financial performance relative to past performance and provide a better baseline for modeling future earnings expectations. Non-GAAP measures are reconciled in the financial tables accompanying this press release. The company cautions that non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the company's reported GAAP results. 

About Horizon Lines

Horizon Lines, Inc. is one of the nation's leading domestic ocean shipping companies and the only ocean cargo carrier currently serving the two noncontiguous domestic markets of Alaska and Hawaii.  The company owns a fleet of 11 fully Jones Act qualified vessels and operates four port terminals in Alaska and Hawaii.  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.

Factors that may cause expected results or anticipated events or circumstances discussed in this press release to not occur or to differ from expected results include: our ability to consummate the transaction with Pasha to sell our Hawaii business or the merger transaction with Matson; our ability to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals for the sale of our Hawaii business; unexpected costs, litigation and other operational complications that may arise from these proposed transactions; our business may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the proposed merger and the Hawaii sale, including adverse impact on relationships with customers, suppliers and regulators; the Company's inability to retain and, if necessary, attract key employees, particularly during the pendency of the merger and the Hawaii sale; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations during the pendency of the merger and the Hawaii sale; our substantial leverage may restrict cash flow and thereby limit our ability to invest in our business; our ability to maintain adequate liquidity to operate our business; our ability to make interest payments on our outstanding indebtedness; unfavorable economic conditions in the markets we serve, despite general economic improvement; our ability to manage the exhaust gas cleaning systems initiative effectively to deliver the results we hope to achieve; our ability to mitigate expenses and increased charges associated with the shutdown of our Puerto Rico tradelane; volatility in fuel prices; work stoppages, strikes and other adverse union actions; the vessels in our fleet continue to age, and we may not have the resources to replace our vessels; decreases in shipping volumes; failure to comply with safety and environmental protection and other governmental requirements; increased inspection procedures and tighter import and export controls; the start-up of any additional Jones-Act competitors; the ability to effectively compete as competitors deploy additional tonnage; repeal or substantial amendment of the coastwise laws of the United States, also known as the Jones Act;  catastrophic losses and other liabilities; failure to comply with the various ownership, citizenship, crewing, and U.S. build requirements dictated by the Jones Act; the arrest of our vessels by maritime claimants; severe weather and natural disasters; or unexpected substantial dry-docking or repair costs for our vessels.

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 2014 Form 10-K to be filed with the SEC on March 13, 2015, 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.

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SOURCE Horizon Lines, Inc.

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