Horizon Lines to Call Tampa, Fla.

Horizon Lines will add regularly scheduled vessel container service between Tampa, Fla. and Puerto Rico to its Gulf Express Service.

GAX currently operates a fixed-day, bi-weekly schedule between Houston, Texas and San Juan. The Tampa service is scheduled to commence Oct. 4 with the arrival of the Horizon Discovery.

The additional port call provides new options for customers in west and central Florida, and it is expected to begin contributing to Horizon’s earnings within the first few months of service.

“We teamed with Tampa Port Authority, Ports America, the terminal services provider, and the International Longshoremen's Association leadership to create an excellent new opportunity for Puerto Rico shippers in central Florida,” said Chuck Raymond, chairman, president and CEO of Horizon Lines.

The expanded biweekly Gulf Express port rotation will be Houston, Tampa, San Juan. The Gulf Express complements Horizon’s direct U.S. east coast Puerto Rico services offered from Jacksonville (twice weekly) and Elizabeth, N.J. (once weekly).

Contact Thomas L. Gallagher at tgallagher@joc.com.