| Thu 23 Aug 2007, 8:21 | | LAF - Lonrho Plc - Shipping company SAILS Doubles |
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LAF
LOLAF
LAF - Lonrho Plc - Shipping company "SAILS" Doubles container vessels in Fleet
Lonrho Plc
(Formerly Lonrho Africa Plc)
(Incorporated and registered in England and Wales)
(Registration number 2805337)
(Share code: LAF; ISIN number: GB0002568813)
("Lonrho Africa" or "the Company")
SHIPPING COMPANY "SAILS" DOUBLES CONTAINER VESSELS IN FLEET
Lonrho (AIM: LONR), the African conglomerate with a diverse portfolio of
investments is pleased to announce that its 45% subsidiary SA Independent Liner
Services (PTY) Ltd ("SAILS") has signed contracts with ship suppliers for two
vessels, which will increase its fleet to four container vessels and tonnage to
36,547 tonnes.
Lonrho announced its investment in SAILS in July 2007 and the intention of
expanding SAILS` fleet to offer regular, scheduled services from South Africa to
West Africa and Europe.
The two sister ships that were being operated by SAILS prior to Lonrho`s
investment, namely the 8,300 tonne MV Berta and MV Emilia, both with carrying
capacities of 650 twenty foot containers (TEU), will be used to provide a
regular South Africa/ West Africa service.
NEW VESSELS
Two new vessels will be added to the fleet as from the end of August 2007,
namely:
- the 9,966 tonne MV Taga Bay, with 1,100 twenty foot container capacity; and
- the 9,981 tonne MV Heinrick Sibum, with carrying capacity of 966
containers.
The MV Taga Bay is a brand new vessel chartered to SAILS for a period of 24
months and will be the first vessel to carry the LONRHO SAILS branding. The
Taga Bay has 220 refrigerated container plugs. She will be delivered in
Shanghai at the end of August 2007, where she will lift cargo for various
parties to South Africa where she will take up her assignment on the South
Africa/ West Africa/ Europe service. The Taga Bay is expected to run profitably
from her first trip being the Shanghai to South Africa voyage.
The MV Heinrick Sibum is scheduled to be delivered by the end of August 2007,
and is chartered on a round voyage basis with options for additional round trip
voyage, thereby providing additional carrying capacity to Europe. This vessel
has 252 refrigerated container plugs.
FURTHER EXPANSION
In addition, SAILS is seeking three more 1,100 container capacity, fast vessels
to add to its fleet with the aim of bringing these into service over the next
four months. These 3 vessels are also planned to service the South Africa -
Europe route.
David Lenigas, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive commented;
"The advancement of the SAILS strategy to become one of the leading shipping
companies in Southern Africa providing a regular and reliable service to Europe
is evidenced by the fact that last week the MV Berta sailed fully laden from
Rotterdam, destined for Dakar, Tema and then Cape Town.
"This is an exciting time for the Lonrho SAILS partnership and we look forward
to further expansion of the fleet in the near future."
ENQUIRIES
Lonrho Plc +44 (0) 20 7016 5105
David Lenigas, Chief Executive +44 (0)7881 825 378
Emma Priestley, Executive Director +44 (0)7867 785 177
SAILS
Ian Wicks +27 (0)82 3871202
+27 (0)21 4211750
Pelham PR
Charles Vivian +44 (0) 20 7743 6672
+44 (0) 7977 297903
Alisdair Haythornthwaite +44 (0) 20 7743 6676
+44 (0) 7714 721379
Collins Stewart Europe
Hugh Field / Jonny Sloan +44 (0) 20 7523 8350
22 August 2007
South African sponsor to Lonrho Africa Plc
Java Capital (Proprietary) Limited
Date: 23/08/2007 08:21:11 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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