Seabulk Signs Global E-Procurement Contract With SeaSupplier

SeaSupplier Ltd. (SeaSupplier), the marine e-procurement subsidiary of Stolt-Nielsen S.A. announced it has been chosen by Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., based Seabulk International to provide its total SeaManager e-procurement solution to Seabulk International's three global divisions: Seabulk Offshore, Seabulk Tankers, and Seabulk Towing .

The SeaSupplier solution will consolidate the purchasing activity of Seabulk's three management centers into one common platform and standard and will include: · Spare parts and consumable data base rationalization to reduce on-board and warehouse inventory and procurement costs · Automated tendering to increase competitive quoting · Sourcing enhancements to increase number of qualified suppliers quoting · Automated contract management to increase utilization of pre-negotiated contracts · Logistics solution to manage complex delivery programs · Performance measurement to ensure buyer and shipboard compliance with the SeaManager process and supplier compliance with contracts · Automated supplier connectivity via Internet to reduce transaction cost and time.

Gerhard E. Kurz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Seabulk, commented, "This is a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to lower costs and improve service and response time to our customers. We have evaluated several e-procurement solutions to streamline our purchasing process and reduce our costs. SeaSupplier provides us the opportunity to control and coordinate our global purchasing and logistics activity under one platform for 205 ships and three management centers worldwide. SeaSupplier is the only proven solution that addresses our total requirements and, after substantial testing, we are confident it will deliver the results we want."

Jacob B. Stolt-Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer of SeaSupplier, commented: "We are very pleased with Seabulk's confidence in SeaSupplier by awarding us a three year global e-procurement contract to use SeaManager(TM) for their fleet of 205 ships, the largest such contract entered to date. The core of our solution was developed and used by Stolt-Nielsen Transportation Group (SNTG) for many years and has been significantly enhanced to provide our customers, including SNTG, the most extensive and robust procurement solutions in the industry. Our solution encompasses both leading edge software and the best procurement processes to provide significant savings to our customers. SeaSupplier is well positioned to provide Seabulk with global implementation and support."

SeaSupplier's SeaManager e-procurement system is a marine-focused Application Service Provider solution that interfaces with accounting systems, shipboard planned maintenance systems, logistics providers, and suppliers. The SeaSupplier network automates purchasing activities and dramatically reduces procurement costs.