Horizon Lines to Repower Ships Overseas

Horizon Lines gets U.S. Coast Guard approval to repower the Horizon Spirit and Horizon Reliance from steam-powered to LNG and diesel propulsion in a foreign shipyard without losing its Jones Act status.

See the official approval letter from the USCG here.

The ships were originally built at Avondale in 1980 as LASH (lighter aboard ships) carriers, but were later converted into container vessels. USCG advised Horizon based on its description of work required to complete the conversion, the ships will remain qualified to operate as U.S. flag in Jones Act trade.

This is just a preliminary determination. Horizon Lines has not made any official announcements.