SSA Marine and Tampa Port Authority form container terminal partnership.

Business Editors

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 15, 2003

The Board of Commissioners of the Tampa Port Authority (TPA) unanimously approved a contract today for SSA Marine to take over the operation of Tampa Bay International Terminal (TBIT). TBIT handles all cargo in the port, including containers, general cargo and automobiles.

The Port of Tampa is west central Florida's largest economic engine, home to 50 million tons of cargo and more than 750,000 passengers, and responsible for 108,000 jobs and $13 billion in spending.

"SSA Marine has the terminal handling skills, marketing resources, track record and expertise that are vital to the Port of Tampa in its drive to increase its container volume," said TPA Director and CEO George T. Williamson.

SSA Marine will provide comprehensive container terminal services at the Port of Tampa, including terminal operations, stevedoring, equipment procurement, trucking and warehousing, information system management and marketing support.

"The TPA and SSA Marine partnership creates a terrific opportunity to boost commerce and fuel economic development in the Tampa region," said Claude Stritmatter, Senior Vice President of SSA Marine. "We look forward to working with TPA to ensure future prosperity for the region."

About SSA Marine

SSA Marine (www.ssamarine.com) is the largest privately held container terminal operator and cargo handling company in the world, handling around 15 million container TEU's per year at its marine and rail terminals. The company has 150 operations worldwide, including port operations in Panama, Mexico, Chile, South Africa and New Zealand, and more than 10,000 employees.