Horizon Lines Inc. yesterday said the company plans to purchase Hawaii Stevedores Inc. in a move that will give the North Carolina-based shipper a greater presence in the Islands.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Both companies cite "strategic synergies, employee stability, operational efficiencies and cost savings as the driving factors in Horizon Lines' acquisition of HSI," according to a news release from Horizon.

Hawaii Stevedores will operate as a Horizon Lines subsidiary and intends to maintain all HSI stevedoring contracts and any existing labor contracts, officials said.

Horizon is the state's second- largest shipping company after Matson Navigation Co.

"We have enjoyed a great relationship with HSI and believe this move will place both companies in the best position to grow with the Hawaiian markets," said Mar Labrador, vice president and general manager, Hawaii and Micronesia Division for Horizon Lines.

Labrador said the stevedore company and its customers will benefit from being part of a world-class transportation company with a wide range of services.

"We look forward to retaining the existing staff so we can continue to offer the quality of performance our trade has come to expect," Labrador said.

Horizon spokesman Ku'uhaku Park said the due diligence process that will go before the sale will take up to 60 days, so the companies' comments would be limited.

While the larger company stands to benefit from the experience of the longtime local company, Park said, the smaller local company also should gain strength through the transaction.

"We're not planning any layoffs," Park said.

Hawaii Stevedores Inc. President and CEO Randy Grune said they believe the combination will be a good one.

"HSI has a long history of outstanding service, and coupled with the resources and strengths of Horizon Lines we can create the best choice for stevedoring in Hawai'i," he said.

Hawaii Stevedores Inc. provides stevedoring and marine terminal services in Hawai'i, with operations in all the commercial ports on O'ahu and the island of Hawai'i.

Horizon Lines is the nation's leading Jones Act container shipping and integrated logistics company, operating 16 U.S.-flag vessels on routes linking the continental United States with Alaska, Hawai'i, Guam and Puerto Rico.

Horizon Lines also owns Horizon Services Group, including cargo management and tracking services being marketed to shippers, carriers and other supply chain companies.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.