PHILADELPHIA , April 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Led by Governor Tom Corbett and political and business leaders from across the region, the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal today welcomed Horizon Lines, Inc., one of  the nation's premier containerized cargo shipping lines, to Philadelphia .

The arrival of Horizon Lines, which has relocated its Northeast port of call from Elizabeth, New Jersey to Philadelphia , marks yet another milestone for the Port of Philadelphia.  Under terms of the agreement between Horizon and Packer, reached with the assistance of Governor Corbett and other Commonwealth officials, Horizon will call Packer 52 times a year, providing weekly service between the Northeast U.S. and San Juan, Puerto Rico .

"Today is a great day for the Port and for the people of Pennsylvania ," said Governor Corbett.  "I am delighted to welcome Horizon Lines to Philadelphia .

"Horizon Lines is a terrific new addition to the Port of Philadelphia and the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal," continued Corbett.  "Horizon will expand opportunities for Pennsylvania businesses throughout the Caribbean region.  What's more, the arrival of Horizon demonstrates the progress we can make when the public and private sector work together for the good of our port and our region."

The Horizon relocation to Packer from Elizabeth, New Jersey will create an estimated 400 full-time direct and related jobs at the Port, which will generate a projected $3.0 million in tax revenues for the City and the Commonwealth.

"This is a big win for our Port and our region," said Tom Holt, Jr. , President of Astro Holdings Inc., the lessee for Packer Avenue Marine Terminal in South Philadelphia . "Packer provides Horizon Lines with excellent and efficient service, allowing Horizon to serve its customers more effectively.  And for us, Horizon provides a great new direct trade connection with Puerto Rico ."

Sam Woodward , President and CEO of Horizon Lines, added:  "We expect that the Port of Philadelphia 's strategic location, along with the Packer's long-time expertise, will deliver significant advantages for Horizon Lines' customers.   Horizon is all about efficiency, innovation and service and we are sure that with this move, our customers will be very well served."

Joining Governor Corbett at the ceremony were Leo A. Holt , President of Holt Logistics Corp. and James T. McDermott Jr. , Executive Director of the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority. 

About the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal

The Packer Avenue facility is equipped to handle both dry and refrigerated container cargo.  The facility sits on 106 acres and has six vessel berths immediately below the Walt Whitman Bridge in South Philadelphia . The facility has on-site FDA, USDA and U.S. Customs services.

About Holt Logistics Corp.

Holt Logistics Corp. is a technology, marketing and corporate service organization. Holt Logistics Corp. provides transportation and logistics management solutions in dynamic segments of the transportation industry such as truck and rail transportation, marine terminal services, warehousing and logistics management. The philosophy of Holt Logistics Corp. and its client companies is to provide the safest, highest quality, and competitively priced cargo movement solutions for targeted market niches.

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 14 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 Horizon Lines' 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, "will," "intend," "expect," "would," "could," "should," "may," and similar expressions or phrases identify forward-looking statements.

Factors that may cause Horizon Lines' expected results or anticipated events or circumstances discussed in this press release to not occur or to differ from expected results include: the reaction of Horizon Lines' customers and business partners to its announcements and filings; work stoppages, strikes and other adverse union actions; volatility in fuel prices; changes in shipping volumes; Horizon Lines' ability to maintain adequate liquidity to operate its business; Horizon Lines' ability to make interest payments on its outstanding indebtedness; repeal or substantial amendment of the coastwise laws of the United States , also known as the Jones Act;  catastrophic losses and other liabilities; the successful start-up of any Jones-Act competitor; failure to comply with the various ownership, citizenship, crewing, and U.S. build requirements dictated by the Jones Act; the arrest of one or more Horizon Lines vessels by maritime claimants; severe weather and natural disasters; and the aging of Horizon Lines vessels and unexpected substantial dry-docking or repair costs for such 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 Horizon Lines undertakes no obligation to update any such statements, except as otherwise required by applicable law. See Horizon Lines' disclosures entitled "Risk Factors" in its Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 23, 2012 for a more complete discussion of these risks and uncertainties and for other risks and uncertainties.

SOURCE Holt Logistics Corp.