| Tue 4 Sep 2007, 11:12 | | LAF - Lonrho Africa - Lonrho Sails Adds A Further |
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LAF
LOLAF
LAF - Lonrho Africa - Lonrho Sails Adds A Further Three Container Ships To 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")
LONRHO SAILS ADDS A FURTHER THREE CONTAINER SHIPS TO FLEET
Lonrho (AIM: LONR), the African conglomerate with a diverse portfolio of
investments is pleased to announce that its 45% owned subsidiary, SA Independent
Liner Services (PTY) Ltd ("SAILS"), has signed contracts with ship suppliers for
the addition of three new container vessels, which will increase its fleet to
seven vessels with a total combined fleet tonnage of 66,445 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 three new vessels will be added to the fleet are the MV Orinoco River, MV El
Lobo and MV Vaal River. Each vessel is 9,966 metric tonnes, equipped with 220
refrigerated container plugs and will be utilised for the South Africa/ West
Africa/ Europe service.
All three vessels are new and will be chartered to SAILS for a period of 24
months. As with the Taga Bay, these vessels will carry the new "LONRHO SAILS"
branding.
The MV Orinoco River is scheduled to be delivered in Shanghai around Mid October
2007.
The MV El Lobo is scheduled to be delivered in Singapore around Mid November
2007.
The MV Vaal River is scheduled to be delivered in Shanghai at the end of
November 2007.
The MV Taga Bay was successfully delivered in Shanghai at the end of August
2007. She is scheduled to depart for South Africa in the next week at 100%
capacity. After reaching South Africa, she will take up her assignment on the
South Africa/ West Africa/ Europe service.
The MV Heinrick Sibum was also successfully delivered at the end of August 2007,
and is chartered on a round voyage basis with an option for an additional round
trip voyage, thereby providing interim, additional carrying capacity to Europe.
This vessel is also at 100% capacity on her southbound voyage which is scheduled
to depart from Antwerp in the next few days and will call at Dakar, Tema and Tin
Can Island or Lagos before arriving in Cape Town.
David Lenigas, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive commented;
"The seven ships to be operated by SAILS will provide for an annual lifting
capacity of over 1 million tonnes of African imports and exports. This
represents a five fold uplift in container carrying capacity since Lonrho`s
investment."
"The success of SAILS as a growing shipping business is seen in the exceptional
load factors now being achieved on the Europe/Africa service. I see significant
scope in the year ahead to add even more container ships to the fleet to service
the growing demand for the import and export trade between the two continents."
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
4 September 2007
South African sponsor to Lonrho Africa Plc
Java Capital (Proprietary) Limited
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