Horizon Lines posts $6.4 million second quarter profit

Horizon Lines posts $6.4 million second quarter profit    U.S. Jones Act carrier Horizon Lines Friday posted second quarter net income of $6.4 million, compared to a net loss of $4.1 million in the same quarter last year.
   The Charlotte, N.C.-based carrier’s operating income in the latest quarter increased 86.6 percent to $22.4 million from $12 million. Revenue improved 7.1 percent to $289.8 million from $270.5 million.
   “Freight rate and cargo mix improvements more than offset some modest volume softness in the second quarter of 2006 compared to 2005,” Horizon Lines said.
   For the year to date, Horizon Lines reported a net income of $8.8 million, compared to deficit of $10.7 million after six months last year. Operating income jumped 142 percent to $38.3 million from $15.8 million last year. Revenue improved 7 percent to $564.8 million from $528.1 million.