Mar 11 2008
Horizon Lines, Inc., the nation's leading domestic container shipping and integrated logistics company, has implemented a combination of newly enhanced fuel efficiency and cost management programs focused on conservation and fuel cost recovery.
"We have one of the best fuel cost management programs in the industry. However, the rapid rise in fuel prices requires that we do even more to improve fuel efficiency and cost recovery across our entire network," said John Keenan, President of Horizon Lines, LLC. "As fuel prices hit new highs almost every day, we will work internally with our associates to improve efficiency and with our customers to address cost recovery."
Horizon, through its EDGE process improvement program, has identified several initiatives to increase awareness of fuel conservation techniques to reduce fuel consumption without sacrificing service levels. These initiatives include ship hull and propeller maintenance programs as well as working directly with each ship captain to identify appropriate changes in speed or course to lower overall fuel consumption while allowing ships to remain on schedule.
Recent examples of cost recovery efforts to help mitigate the rising price of fuel in tandem with conservation efforts include fuel surcharge increases in Alaska, Puerto Rico and a pending increase in Hawaii.
Horizon Lines also expects further fuel efficiency improvements throughout 2008 from its participation in the SmartWay Transport Partnership. Horizon joined the partnership this year, earning the highest fuel efficiency and environmental performance rating from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The SmartWay program is a collaborative effort by the EPA and the freight industry to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.