Crowley To Acquire Marine Transport Corporation

Crowley Maritime Corporation and Marine Transport Corporation jointly announced that Crowley has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Marine Transport Corporation for $7.00 per share. Under the agreement entered into by the parties, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crowley will commence a tender offer within the next 10 business days. The transaction is conditioned upon a minimum number of Marine Transport's shares being tendered, regulatory approvals, and other standard closing conditions. The tender offer is not conditioned upon financing. Thomas B. Crowley, Jr., Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Crowley, said "Our investment in Marine Transport is a unique opportunity for Crowley to add a complementary business line to our present maritime activities. It is our plan to allow Marine Transport to pursue its present strategic plan with its dedicated management and employees, supported by the joint resources of the combined companies. This is an historic event for the U.S. Maritime community in many respects, and we look forward to developing expanded growth opportunities with Marine Transport." Richard du Moulin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Marine Transport said, "We believe this transaction provides significant value realization to our existing stockholders. Crowley is one of the most well respected companies in our business. They know our industry and are deeply committed to it. We look forward to working together." ING Barings LLC advised Marine Transport with respect to this transaction. Oakland-based Crowley Maritime Corp., founded in 1892, is primarily a family- and employee-owned company engaged in integrated logistics, marine transportation and related services. The corporation, with more than 100 offices in major ports and cities around the world, has several operating subsidiaries, including Crowley Liner Services, Crowley Marine Services, Crowley Petroleum Transport and Crowley Logistics. Marine Transport Corporation is a U.S.-based supplier of marine transportation services, with one of the largest U.S.- based fleets of ocean going vessels. Marine Transport's core business is industrial shipping with leading chemical and energy customers. Marine Transport's Houston-based operation, MTL Petrolink, provides crude oil lightering services in the Gulf of Mexico.