Sociéte Maritime de Remorquage et d' Assistance (SOMARA) was founded in May 2003 by Alain DEMONT, former managing director of SARA (Martinique Refinery) and now an internationally recognised expert of the petroleum industry and

Jean-Pierre PORRY, managing director of Agences PORRY, established in 1944, customs brokers, Lloyd's Agents, P & I Correspondents, Ship's agents and chartering brokers in the Port of Fort de France (Martinique).

In July 2006, SOMARA' s rapid expansion was accompanied by SAGIPAR, a Risk-Capital company, the investment fund of the Conseil Régional de la Martinique, who now holds a substantial (28% approx) shareholding of SOMARA.

The company started with one tug on long term time charter, the well known "Vlieland".
SOMARA, either directly or via its affiliated companies operates now 9 units

(7 tugs, 1 barge + 1 workboat).
The company carries harbour work operations between Grenada and Saint-Marteen and has developped contractual relations with the major operators of the region.
Beside harbour work operations, the company is involved in all marine aspects including salvage work and barge towing.