US domestic shipping Horizon Lines says it has renewed and extended to 2010, “all of its principal commercial and operating arrangements” with the AP Moller Maersk Group.
The company notes: “Horizon Lines and Maersk are parties to a number of agreements that include cargo space charters, terminal services, equipment sharing, and sales agency services. The agreements, previously scheduled to expire at the end of 2007, have been extended through 2010 and include extension options at the mutual agreement of both parties.
Horizon’s chairman, president and chief executive officer Chuck Raymond says: "We are very pleased to extend our commercial and operating agreements with Maersk for an additional three years," said "Horizon Lines and Maersk have been partners since our company began operations on December 10, 1999. These various agreements provide operational and financial benefits to Horizon Lines and Maersk, and truly represent a "win-win" for both companies."
"This is a new milestone in an important and mutually beneficial partnership," said Russ Bruner, president and chief executive officer of Maersk Inc. "This agreement will continue a long lasting and well established relationship that has been a key element of the excellent container shipping services provided by both companies over the last seven years."
Meanwhile Mr Raymond has called for greater cooperation between all segments of the container industry and the government to achieve real results in trade security next year. Speaking to an alumni gathering of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at King’s Point he said: We will hear a lot about this issue in months to come. A new Congress is already preparing the debate over problems we face at home and abroad, at our ports and in the containers that bring us the consumer goods that drive our economy. You will hear a lot about 100% inspection. You will listen to talk about the many challenges we face in international port security. I hope we will begin to see some real results.”
He said: “The industry needs to come together – shippers, carriers and labour – to educate Washington on information technology and processes already in place that can improve trade and port security.”