Nurturing marine secondary listings

SECONDARY listings are a better bet for the Singapore Exchange (SGX) in its bid to woo more marine and shipping related companies to be listed in Singapore. That the SGX is keen and is exploring ways to bring in more such companies has been reported by BT recently.

The task is an uphill one, knowing that Singapore is competing with the likes of the United States and Norway. Both these markets provide large access to liquidity and capital and are steeped in the maritime tradition. They also have investor bases that are familiar and knowledgable about the sector.

Norway and the US are thus more attractive locations for shipping and marine companies looking to tap a lucrative and savvy investor base. It follows then that their stock exchanges are the best options for such primary listings.