The ocean shipping company announced Nikkhoo would be moving into the new posting based in Hawaii. In his new role, Nikkhoo—a seasoned veteran with 30 years of industry experience—will oversee Horizon Lines’ weekly transportation services between the US mainland and the Hawaiian Islands.
Brian Taylor, executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief commercial officer of Horizon Lines, said: “Ali Nikkhoo’s comprehensive background in multiple domestic and global trade routes brings unmatchable hands-on experience to this important Jones Act service.” The Jones Act requires that cargo ships running between American ports must be American flagged, American-owned and crewed by American citizens or green card holders.
Nikkhoo joined Sea-Land in 1977—a shipping and containerization company—beginning the carrier’s Iran service after graduating from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. The Iranian-born executive moved onto positions in Madrid, Dubai, Houston and Baltimore before being named port manager in Long Beach, California, in 1987. He then worked in Jakarta, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and London, serving in senior management positions across the world.
Nikkhoo joins Horizon from Honor Truck and Transfer Inc. in Long Beach, CA, where he was owner and president for eight years.
Horizon Lines owns or leases a fleet of 20 US-flag containerships and operates five port terminals linking the continental United States with Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, Micronesia, and Puerto Rico.