Horizon Lines Completes Transactions to Reduce Debt

Charlotte, N.C. - Horizon Lines Inc. today announced that it has completed transactions with more than 99 percent of its note holders, and with Ship Finance International Limited ("SFL") and certain of its subsidiaries, to substantially deleverage the Company's balance sheet and terminate vessel charter obligations related to its discontinued trans-Pacific service.
 
These simultaneous transactions eliminate virtually all of the remaining $228.4 million of the Company's 6.00 percent Series A and Series B Convertible Secured Notes, partially offset by the issuance of $40.0 million of debt to SFL as part of the full and final settlement of the vessel charter obligations, resulting in a net debt reduction of $188.4 million. The Company's earnings and cash flows will be further improved by the termination of $32.0 million in annual vessel charter obligations for the five ships leased from SFL, as well as the elimination of approximately $3.0 million of annual lay-up costs for the idle vessels.
 
"These transactions successfully close a chapter in the history of Horizon Lines which we have been working diligently to complete for these past many months," said Stephen H. Fraser, interim President and Chief Executive Officer. "Horizon Lines moves forward today from a stronger financial position that will enable us to better focus on customers in our core Jones Act trades and to invest in the future of our business. We greatly appreciate the support of our note holders and SFL during the final steps of this process, and also thank our associates, customers, labor partners, and vendors for their loyalty and faith in Horizon Lines."
 
Under the transactions announced today:

•    Substantially all of the remaining $228.4 million of the Company's 6.00 percent Series A and Series B Convertible Senior Secured Notes are being converted into stock, or warrants for non-U.S. citizens, equivalent to 83.5 percent of the Company's common stock on a fully converted basis.
•    Subsidiaries of SFL are releasing the Company from its remaining charter obligations, totaling $220.8 million over seven years. In exchange, the Company has provided SFL with $40.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Second Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2016 pursuant to the Indenture dated October 5, 2011, plus warrants equivalent to 10.0 percent of the Company's shares outstanding on a fully converted basis upon completion of the transaction.
•    Existing holders will maintain a stake of 6.5 percent in the Company's stock. This includes approximately 1.4 percent for existing equity holders and approximately 5.1 percent for note holders who received stock or warrants in the October 5, 2011 refinancing and as part of the mandatory debt-to-equity conversion on January 11, 2012. Upon completion of the transactions, the note holders and SFL, respectively, will own stock and warrants equivalent to approximately 88.6 percent and 10.0 percent, of the Company's common stock on a fully converted basis.
•    In addition, 7.5 million authorized, but unissued shares, are being reserved for future management incentive plans.

The elimination of the vessel lease obligations saves Horizon Lines $32.0 million annually through 2018, and $4.8 million in 2019, as well as associated vessel lay-up costs of $3.0 million per year, assuming the five vessels were to remain inactive. As a result of the transactions, the Company's total funded debt outstanding will be reduced to approximately $404.4 million, from $592.8 million at March 31, 2012.  
 
"The significant deleveraging resulting from these transactions greatly improves the Company's cash flow and liquidity, allowing for greater financial flexibility and stability," said Michael T. Avara, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. "As a result, Horizon Lines is now better positioned for improved profitability and sustained investment in our business."