PHILADELPHIA, March 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Holt Logistics Corp. announced today that Horizon Lines, one of the premier shipping companies servicing the US East Coast and Puerto Rico, will move its Northeast Port of Call to Philadelphia from Elizabeth, N.J. starting in April.
The arrival of Horizon, in a deal first contemplated more than four years ago, provides the Port of Philadelphia with a major new carrier that will provide an outstanding opportunity to expand trade connections between the Greater Philadelphia region, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. The parties anticipate that Horizon will be calling Philadelphia on a weekly basis starting on April 11th.
"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 with a better service and a lower-cost alternative. That allows them to service their customers more efficiently. And for us, Horizon provides a great new direct trade connection with Puerto Rico and the Caribbean region."
"Horizon Lines is a big fish in our pond," continued Holt. "We look forward to helping them service their customers and continuing to expand trade activity for our region." Horizon's decision will mean approximately 400 direct and indirect new jobs at the Port, Port-related businesses, and the region.
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 the nation's leading domestic ocean shipping and integrated logistics company. The company's primary operating subsidiary, Horizon Lines, LLC, owns or leases a fleet of 20 U.S.-flag containerships and operates five port terminals linking the continental United States with Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Horizon Logistics manages reliable and cost competitive logistics solutions. Horizon Lines, Inc. is based in Charlotte, NC, and trades on the over-the-counter market under the symbol HRZL.
SOURCE Holt Logistics Corp.
