OREANDA-NEWS. Close to 20 companies from the maritime industry today participated in a Capital Markets Roundtable event jointly organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Singapore Exchange (SGX), held in conjunction with Singapore Maritime Week 2016.  The companies represented various sectors of the maritime industry including liner, bulk, tanker and offshore services.

Hosted by SGX’s CEO, Mr Loh Boon Chye, and MPA’s Chairman, Mr Lucien Wong, the inaugural SGX-MPA Capital Markets Roundtable saw participants discuss various topics, such as how the industry could work together to raise the profile of Singapore’s capital markets for the shipping and offshore sectors.  The event also highlighted alternative forms of maritime financing, such as public listings through the issuance of equities or bonds, which the industry could consider as capital raising through traditional lending has been challenging in the present climate.

This event is one of the collaborative efforts led by a working group comprising MPA, SGX, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), to further develop Singapore as a hub for maritime financing.  The SSA works closely with the Singapore Government to elevate Singapore’s position as an international maritime centre. 

There are currently 62 maritime and offshore services entities listed on SGX, with a total market capitalisation of US$31 billion (S$43 billion) as at end December 2015.  Of these, 14 are in the shipyard business, 12 in shipping, 33 in offshore services and three are business trusts.

Mr Loh Boon Chye, CEO of SGX, said “Finance plays a critical role in the capital-intensive maritime industry.  While the sector is presently facing headwinds, our listed maritime and offshore services companies raised nearly US$4 billion from 2013 to 2015 through IPOs, secondary fund raising and bond listings on SGX.”

Mr Lucien Wong, Chairman of MPA, said, “Singapore offers companies a comprehensive and dynamic maritime business cluster with stable and pro-enterprise government policies.  Coupled with our strengths in finance and SGX as a leading exchange, Singapore is well-positioned to be a leading ship finance and listing hub for the Asian region.”

Mr Esben Poulsson, President of SSA, said “There is a wide range of possibilities of fund raising. In addition to traditional maritime finance, companies have full access to not only a vibrant capital market, but also to all the banks and investors who are represented here in Singapore and the region. ”   

To enhance awareness of the benefits of listing in Singapore, the working group will continue to organise outreach and engagement activities in the future.