---

Sixty-one tugs and tank barges owned by bunker barge operator and marine transportation company Foss Maritime Company - builder and operator of the world's first hybrid tugboat - have been recognized by a major maritime organization for their environmental safety record.

The Chamber of Shipping of America (CSA) announced the awards honouring the Seattle-based firm's environmental achievements on November 13, 2012 in Washington D.C.

In total, the 61 Foss vessels recognized by CSA have gone a combined 543 years without an environmental incident. For a handful of Foss vessels, the awards marked 20 years of operation without an environmental accident.

"When we talk with our customers, safety and the environment are the first things they bring up," said Gary Faber, Foss's president and COO. "To be honored by the Chamber of Shipping for our environmental record is something that underscores all our efforts at Foss. It is part of our corporate culture."

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Joseph A. Servidio, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, participated in the awards ceremony and congratulated the great work performed by the industry.

Charles W. Parks of Tesoro Corporation and Vice Chairman of CSA said: "The great record evidenced by the ships and vessels is due to the dedication of the seafarers working on board and the support of shore operating personnel."

Joseph J. Cox, President of CSA commented: "These awards celebrate the dedication to environmental excellence of our seafarers and the company personnel shore-side who operate our vessels to the highest standards. In today's world, it seems our industry only gets front-page news when spills or other environmental problems occur. It is encouraging to see how many vessels go for years achieving environmental excellence It should be clear to the American public that we in the maritime industry take our stewardship of the marine environment very seriously."

Founded in 1889, Foss Maritime offers a range of maritime services and project management to customers across the Pacific Rim, Europe, South America, and worldwide. The company has harbour services and transportation operations in a number of major U.S. West Coast ports. With one of the largest fleets of tugs and barges on the American West Coast, Foss operates two shipyards and offers worldwide marine transportation.

The Chamber of Shipping of America represents 30 U.S.-based companies that either own, operate or charter oceangoing tankers, container ships, dry bulk vessels engaged in both the domestic and international trades and companies that maintain a commercial interest in the operation of such oceangoing vessels. Current members include companies that own or operate U.S. flag or foreign-flag ships. A company owning or operating only foreign-flag tonnage must have an office in the United States to qualify for membership.