DOJ clears Pasha acquisition of Horizon Lines’ Hawaii business

Pasha says it is planning “significant upgrades to the Horizon fleet.”    Pasha Group said the U.S. Department of Justice has cleared its acquisition of the Hawaii trade-lane business of Horizon Lines.
   The ocean carrier said in a statement “clearance paves the way for an anticipated final closing before the end of the second quarter.”
   The company’s Pasha Hawaii unit has been operating a roll-on/roll-off service between California and Hawaii trade lane since 2005, and is in the process of acquiring Horizon’s container business to the islands, including Horizon’s four U.S. flag container ships in the Hawaii trade lane.
   In addition to the ships, the Pasha Group will also acquire Horizon subsidiaries Hawaii Stevedores, Inc.; the California-based operations of Sea-Logix, which provides trucking and warehousing services; and Sunrise Operations, a subsidiary that will include Horizon’s vessels and Hawaii-based employees.
   After closing, Pasha said it will partner with Jacksonville, Fla.-based Crowley Maritime Corporation to have Crowley provide ship management of the vessels and crew through Crowley’s Marine Transport Management subsidiary.
   In becoming part of Pasha, Horizon’s Hawaii business will operate alongside Pasha Hawaii’s existing operations, which include Pasha’s two Jones Act-qualified vessels, the ro-ro ship Jean Anne and the Marjorie C, a combination container/ro-ro ship that is expected to enter service soon.
   Pasha said by expanding its operations with Horizon’s Hawaii fleet, it will be able to “provide customers with a wider offering of high-quality, scheduled shipping and logistics services for containers, refrigerated containers, and a variety of roll-on/roll-off cargoes.”
   “We are excited for the opportunity to welcome Horizon’s Hawaii family of employees to the Pasha team,” said George Pasha, IV, president and chief executive officer. “I am confident that the combination of our two businesses will allow us to more effectively serve our new expanded customer base. I look forward to working together with all of our customers to assure we deliver solutions that meet and exceed expectations.”
   Pasha said it “plans to make significant upgrades to the Horizon fleet” once the transaction is complete.