Foss Maritime Receives Highest Honor from U.S. Coast Guard for Environmental Stewardship

Company brings home the ‘gold’ from U.S. Coast Guard

SEATTLE, July 8, 2008 – The U.S. Coast Guard has awarded the Foss Maritime Company its most prestigious environmental honor: the 2008 William M. Benkert ‘gold’ award for marine environmental protection. It is Foss’ second major ‘green’ award in less than a month.

In early June, Foss won the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Excellence Award for development of its low-emission ‘Green Dolphin’ hybrid tug, the first time a maritime operating company has ever received the EPA’s honor. Foss also received a Commendation – Environmental Award from BP Shipping, and honorable mention for the Port of Seattle’s 2008 Marine Environmental Business of the Year award.

Foss Maritime President Gary Faber and other top company officials were in San Diego, CA., to receive the Benkert award from Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen.

“Foss is committed to the principles of sustainability and safety in all its operations,” Faber said. “This is part of our company’s culture. By leading our industry we at Foss believe we can do best by the environment. The sort of innovation that the William M. Benkert award recognizes is what the public, our customers and the maritime industry itself have long expected from Foss.”

Examples of Foss environmental initiatives the Coast Guard is recognizing with the Benkert award include building the world’s first low emissions ‘Green Dolphin’ hybrid tugboat; voluntarily switching its entire fleet to ultra-low sulfur diesel; minimizing waste streams on harbor tugs by using a vacuum truck service for their oily waste removal; and, completing an energy audit and developing an energy management plan to manage Foss vessels.

In addition, Foss is the first maritime operating company accepted into EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership for its marine operations. It also earned the Chamber of Shipping of America’s recognition for 59 vessels with outstanding environmental records in 2007.

“The Benkert award recognizes outstanding achievements in maritime environmental protection that go beyond mere compliance with industrial and regulatory standards,” said Susan Hayman, Vice President of Health, Quality, Safety and Environment for Foss Maritime.

“At Foss we innovate. We have set a higher standard for ourselves.”