Horizon Lines, Inc., the nation's leading domestic ocean shipping and integrated logistics company, has been awarded the "2009 Platinum Carrier Award" by home improvement retailer Lowe's Companies Inc., based in Mooresville, N.C.

Lowe's presented the Platinum Carrier Award to Horizon Lines for achieving 99.9% on-time service. It is the fourth consecutive Platinum Award, and the ninth consecutive time Horizon Lines has been honored by the Fortune 500 Company. Scott W. Fernandez, Vice President, Coastwise Shipping and General Manager, Eastern Region Sales and Lymarie Gandarillas, Strategic Account Director accepted on behalf of the carrier.

"We have partnered with Lowe's as they look for ways to adapt their new-store and existing-store inventory supply chains in this challenging economic climate," Fernandez said. "Our collaborative approach makes the 99.9% on time service mark possible."

In recent years, Horizon Lines moved the full complement of goods to open and stock six new Lowe's stores in Alaska and three in Hawaii, Fernandez noted. "It is energizing to work with a shipper that is so customer-focused and process-oriented. They certainly make us want to out-perform every time."

Horizon Lines has received the Platinum Carrier Award for years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Each year since 2001, Horizon Lines has earned Lowe's Outstanding Ocean Service Provider Award or the Platinum Award for consistently providing superior service in the U.S. domestic ocean trades to Alaska and Hawaii.