Horizon Lines to raise P.R. shipping service rates in April
Horizon Lines will raise its shipping rates starting in April.
Horizon Lines Inc. announced Friday it will raise its rates for shipping cargo between the mainland United States and San Juan, starting April 1.
Ocean cargo rates per 20-foot-equivalent container for non-refrigerated service between San Juan and Elizabeth, New Jersey; Houston, Texas; and Jacksonville, Florida, will increase by $150, $125 and $75, respectively.
Frozen refrigerated rates between the same ports will increase by $200, $150 and $100, respectively, while chilled/fresh refrigerated rates will rise $250, $200 and $125.
“This rate increase reflects rising operational costs, many of which are contractual, that Horizon Lines has experienced over the past several years, and is needed to support ongoing investments in our business,” said Richard Rodríguez, vice president and general manager of the Puerto Rico operation.
“Horizon Lines has been implementing cost reduction measures to minimize the need for rate increases, but these efforts have not been able to entirely offset our overall rise in costs,” he said.
In recent years, Horizon has invested more than $29 million in terminal improvements, vessel enhancements, new container equipment, and information technology, Rodríguez said.
“And this year, we intend to invest a substantial amount to enhance three of our Puerto Rico vessels,” he said. “Providing service excellence to our customers remains our highest priority today, tomorrow and for years to come.”
Horizon Lines has been serving Puerto Rico since 1958 and provides direct weekly sailings to San Juan from Jacksonville, Florida, and Elizabeth, New Jersey, as well as service once every two weeks from Houston, Texas, including a direct call at the port of Tampa, Florida.
The company has filed the rate increase with the Surface Transportation Board.
