Charles G. “Chuck” Raymond, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Horizon Lines Inc., outlined a road map for developing a United States Marine Highway that will ease congestion around gateway trade corridors and improve the overall efficiency of America's transportation system.
Raymond told attendees at North America's Marine Highways Conference recently that Horizon Lines is working with maritime unions to design a viable labor model for a Coastwise Container Feeder Network. The feeder service will act as a safety valve, moving containers from congested gateways to smaller ports closer to destination with better intermodal connections.
He called for the creation of a National Port Development Plan within the context of the National Freight Transportation Program recommended by the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission. This national port plan would prioritize federal funding of port projects, such as dredging and inland infrastructure construction, according to a port's role in global supply chains.
Based in Charlotte NC, Horizon Lines operates a fleet of 21 U.S.-flag container ships and five port terminals linking the continental United States with Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, Micronesia, and Puerto Rico.
