The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) issued a public licence for towage services to Marina Offshore Pte Ltd today. This is in line with the MPA's liberalisation of tug services policy announced in August 1997.

The 30-year public licence (w.e.f. 27 Nov 98) allows Marina Offshore Pte Ltd to service vessels at shipyards, oil terminals and Jurong Port under Phase 2 of the towage liberalisation programme. To date, the MPA has awarded the public licence to four other companies. They are PSA Corporation Ltd, Sembawang Marine and Logistics Ltd (SML), Keppel Smit Towage Pte Ltd and Jurong Marine Services Pte Ltd.

Locally-based Marina Offshore Pte Ltd has been in the tugs and barges business for more than 15 years. It currently owns a fleet of 15 tugboats, servicing both the local and regional markets.

The liberalisation of tug services is aimed at providing competitive rates for port users and promoting service level within the tug services industry. This enhances the competitiveness of the Singapore port and helps maintains Singapore's status as a premier port.

End of Statement.