CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 05/25/12 -- SCF Marine Inc. ("SCF"), a subsidiary of SEACOR Holdings Inc. (CKH), commenced barge operations on the Magdalena River through its majority interest in Naviera Central S.A. ("Naviera"), a Colombian inland river services barge and terminal company with more than a decade of operating experience on the rivers of Colombia, primarily through the use of shallow draft equipment.

SCF is a recognized name on the U.S. Inland River Waterways with a fleet that includes 1,576 barges and 30 towboats. In addition to operations on the Magdalena River, SCF operates on the Hidrovia Parana-Paraguay River System and is involved in several shore side terminal operations, ranging from a bulk liquids terminal located in Sauget, Illinois, to a transshipment terminal at the Port of Ibicuy, Argentina.

Naviera's fleet now includes 6 x Mississippi style hopper barges with covers, 4 x 10,000 barrel tank barges, 2 multipurpose barges, 3 shallow draft towboats, and 3 semi-convoys, each with 70 tons of capacity.

On its May 12th inaugural trip, the convoy transported a total of 3,850 tons of corn, sorghum, and steel products. The cargo was loaded in Cartagena and Barranquilla and was unloaded in Puerto Berrio with Bogota and Medellin as its final destinations. The convoy is expected to return to Cartagena with coal from the Boyacá and Cundinamarca Departments. The trip is estimated to take 5-6 days.

The new river transport service is expected to service markets in the Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Antioquia and Santander Departments, a combined area of 141,371 square kilometers (54,580 square miles) with a total population of approximately 19.5 million, including the metropolitan areas of Bogotá, Medellin, and Barrancabermeja.

Tim Power, President of SCF Marine Inc., said, "We consider Colombia to be a country of opportunities with growing requirements for transportation of high-volume products such as grain, coal, fuel, and construction materials along the Magdalena River. SCF through its interest in Naviera Central is pleased to meet these needs by providing high quality transportation services to our customers."

Mauricio Lopez, General Manager of Naviera Central S.A., added, "River transport is an integral part of a multi-modal chain that includes land transport and port services. Investment in Colombia's infrastructure is required in order for us to maintain the level of competitiveness required for sustained economic growth and, further, to realize the future development goals of our country, especially now that various trade agreements have been implemented. We are proud to be the first company to obtain foreign investment to start operations on the Magdalena River. With the investment by SEACOR, we are also proud to be the first foreign company to start commercial operations on the Magdalena River, contributing to its development as a world-class waterway."

For additional information, contact Mauricio Lopez Londoño at + 312 289 2674 or visit Naviera's website at www.navieracentral.com.

About Naviera

Naviera Central S.A. (Naviera) provides efficient, cost-effective inland river barge and terminal services in Colombia along the Magdalena and Cauca Rivers. With SEACOR's extensive experience on the U.S. Inland River Waterways, and with the arrival of new equipment, Naviera's service area has been expanded to include all ports along the Magdalena River including Bocas de Ceniza (Barranquilla), Canal del Dique (Cartagena), and Port Salgar.

About SEACOR

SEACOR Holdings Inc. (SEACOR) is a global provider of equipment and services primarily supporting the offshore oil and gas and marine transportation industries. SEACOR offers customers a diversified suite of services including: offshore marine; aviation; inland river; marine transportation; emergency and crisis; commodity trading and logistics; and offshore and harbor towing. SEACOR is focused on providing highly responsive local service combined with the highest safety standards, innovative technology, modern, efficient equipment and dedicated professional employees.