Published:
Horizon Lines Enters Interest Rate Swap
CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 4, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Horizon Lines,
Inc. (NYSE: HRZ), today announced it has entered into an interest rate swap,
which effectively converts $122 million of the company's existing floating
rate term loan debt to a fixed rate of 4.52%. The interest rate swap is
effective March 31, 2008 and has a term extending through the August 8, 2012
maturity of the term loan. In addition, the notional amount of the swap will
decline each calendar quarter in tandem with the amortization of the term
loan. With the execution of this swap, Horizon Lines' fixed-to-floating ratio
is now 71.7% to 28.3%.
"This interest rate swap allows us to significantly reduce potential
volatility in earnings and cash flows from interest rate fluctuations," said
Mike Avara, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "Over the last
nine months, we have been able to reduce our blended cost of debt from 8.8% to
4.6% as a result of our August 2007 refinancing and the structuring of our
senior credit facility borrowings to take advantage of falling interest rates.
The interest rate swap locks in improvement in interest rates on a substantial
portion of our debt."
The term loan and accompanying $250 million revolving credit facility
component of the senior credit facility bear interest primarily at LIBOR-based
rates plus a current 1.50% spread, which ranges from 1.25% to 2.0% based on
the ratio of total secured debt to EBITDA. Under the swap agreement Horizon
Lines pays fixed rate interest to the swap counterparty and receives back from
the swap counterparty floating rate interest based on the three month LIBOR.
Horizon Lines will continue to pay floating rate interest based on the three
month LIBOR under its senior credit facility, leaving the net payment of fixed
rate interest.
About Horizon Lines:
Horizon Lines, Inc. is the nation's leading domestic ocean shipping and
integrated logistics company comprised of two primary operating subsidiaries.
Horizon Lines, LLC operates a fleet of 21 U.S.-flag containerships and 5 port
terminals linking the continentalUnited States withAlaska,Hawaii,Guam,
Micronesia andPuerto Rico. Horizon Logistics, LLC offers customized
logistics solutions to shippers from a suite of transportation and
distribution management services designed by Aero Logistics, information
technology developed by Horizon Services Group and intermodal trucking and
warehousing services provided by Sea-Logix. Horizon Lines, Inc. is based in
Charlotte, NC, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker
symbol HRZ.
Forward Looking Statement:
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. These forward-looking statements are intended to
qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "target,"
"projects," "likely," "will," "would," "could," 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. We
undertake no obligation, and specifically decline any obligation, to publicly
update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise. See the section entitled "Risk
Factors" in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 6, 2008 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.
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