Horizon Lines, Inc. reported financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended September 19, 2010.

On a GAAP basis, third-quarter net income was $7.7 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, compared with $8.4 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2009. On an adjusted basis, third-quarter net income totaled $11.0 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, excluding charges of $3.3 million after tax, or $0.10 per diluted share, for antitrust-related legal expenses, an equipment impairment charge and union severance. This compares with 2009 adjusted net income of $11.4 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, after excluding antitrust-related legal expenses and a vessel impairment charge totaling $3.0 million after tax, or $0.10 per diluted share. Third-quarter revenue increased to $311.0 million from $308.0 million a year ago.

Container volume for the 2010 third quarter totaled 65,726 loads, a 2.8% decline from 67,649 loads for the same period a year ago. Puerto Rico and Hawaii/Guam experienced the largest year-over-year declines. Alaska volume was down just marginally. Container volume for the 2010 nine-month period totaled 190,610 loads, down 1.4% from 193,305 loads a year ago.

Container rates, net of fuel, for the 2010 third quarter, rose slightly to $3,247 from $3,229 for the third quarter a year ago. Container rates, net of fuel, for the 2010 nine-month period were $3,258, marginally below the rate of $3,266 a year ago.

'A summer slowdown in the pace of economic recovery pressured volumes across all of our markets, resulting in a third-quarter financial performance that was short of our expectations,' said Chuck Raymond, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. 'We had anticipated a firmer overall economic recovery in the third quarter. However, after some initial inventory rebuilding this past spring, economic activity slowed in our tradelanes as consumer spending remained muted in the face of continuing high unemployment. The quarter also was impacted by high fuel prices and lower revenue from transportation services agreements. In addition, vessel operating expenses increased from a year ago due to the timing of regulatory dry-dockings.

'In the face of this challenging operating environment, our financial results demonstrate modest revenue growth and diligent cost management,' Mr. Raymond said. 'We continued to generate solid adjusted free cash flow, debt paydown remained ahead of plan, and we finished the quarter with improved liquidity. As was the case in the second quarter, our third-quarter was characterized by improved EBITDA contributions from our Alaska market, terminal services to third parties and logistics businesses, combined with ongoing overhead cost savings.

'Volume declines were greatest in Puerto Rico, which remains in recession, and in Hawaii/Guam, which continues to experience a very slow and uneven economic recovery,' Mr. Raymond continued. 'The volume declines in Puerto Rico were exacerbated by ongoing competitive pricing pressures, due in part to capacity that was added by a competitor to the depressed market in the spring. We are responding appropriately and will continue to do so in the months ahead. Alaska, while down very slightly in volume, contributed to EBITDA growth amid an improving business environment.'