Horizon Lines goes green

Adding to the list of a few shipping companies who are actively altering business practices, or at least trying to, in favor of the environment and in response to fuel costs, Horizon Lines announces a new environmental program.

News from the MM&P Wheelhouse Newsletter -

M&P-contracted Horizon Lines has launched a multi-pronged environmental program to lessen the impact on the environment of its shipping business. The wide-ranging initiative is called Horizon Green. “Horizon Lines is committed to protecting the environment and ensuring the safety and health of our associates and the public,” said Horizon Lines Chairman, President and CEO Chuck Raymond in an official release announcing the program.

Raymond said Horizon Green will touch on every sector of the company’s operations. The key areas to be addressed are: marine environment, including vessel management controls and audits, ballast water management, waste stream analyses, low sulfur diesel fuel usage and marine terminal pollution mitigation plans; cutting emissions and increasing use of alternative fuels and more efficient transportation alternatives, such as coastwise shipping; sustainability, through programs that would, for example, reduce empty rail and truck backhaul miles through logistics network optimization; recycling; and carbon offsets, including the purchase of “environmental credits” that fund programs such as forestation and alternative energy projects. More details on Horizon Lines environmental programs are posted at www.horizonlines.com/horizongreen.asp.

This information used by permission of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots.