For Sean Lee, the CEO of Marco Polo Marine, the company’s revival over the last ten years is a clear example of how grit and innovative thinking can lead to success. Back in 2016, the company was facing a dire situation, teetering on the edge of collapse as oil prices nosedived and revenue fell by half. Many in the offshore marine industry couldn’t weather the storm and shut down. Lee himself spent almost a year on a relentless quest to secure funding, knocking on the doors of 150 potential investors, only to face rejection 141 times. But persistence paid off when he finally persuaded nine investors to collectively inject S$60 million, providing the vital support needed to keep the business afloat. Yet, even with this crucial funding, Lee understood that a transformative change was necessary. At Marco Polo Marine’s shipyard in Batam, Sean Lee expressed profound gratitude toward the constant encouragement from the company’s board and investors.
