Lonrho Regulatory News (LONR)

22 Jan 2008 07:01

Lonrho PLC22 January 2008 22 January 2008 LONRHO PLC ("Lonrho" or the "Company") LONRHO's SHIPPING COMPANY 'SAILS' RECEIVES 1,000 REFRIGERATED CONTAINERS TO MEET DEMAND FROM SOUTH AFRICAN FRUIT EXPORTERS Lonrho (AIM: LONR), the expanding conglomerate with a structured portfolio ofAfrican investments, is pleased to announce that it's subsidiary, SA IndependentLiners Services Pty Ltd ("SAILS"), a shipping line based in South Africa, hasleased one thousand refrigerated containers for an eight year term. The refrigerated containers are specialist units known as 'reefers' and providethe ability to transport chilled or frozen goods. Following this transaction,the Lonrho fleet of six vessels now has the ability to carry reefers at anaverage of 30% of its storage capacity on each voyage, thereby meeting thedemand from the booming South African fruit growing market for delivering freshproduce to the European markets. As a result of the transaction, SAILS hasbecome one of the leading shippers in this sector, and has secured US$ 14million in new contracts for its shipping service to Europe. The refrigerated units also provide a service on the return voyage, where theycan move medical and other chilled consumables being delivered to the Africanmarket. The containers have a contract value of US$ 28 million, based on an eight yearlease. They were ordered from Daikin Refrigerated Containers and manufactured toorder in Shanghai. The containers were delivered for use by the Lonrho fleetduring November and December 2007 and are now fully deployed. David Lenigas, Lonrho's Chairman, stated: "The ability to offer refrigerated containers to our customers is a niche, highmargin market, and strengthens SAILS business. The fact that all one thousandunits have been immediately put into service demonstrates the demand from thissector for reefers. We are pleased to be supporting the expanding and importantSouth African fruit industry, and providing the services required to takeAfrican goods to the European market in the best possible condition." http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/2453m_-2008-1-21.pdf ENQUIRIESLonrho Plc +44 (0)20 7016 5105David Lenigas, Executive Chairman +44 (0)7881 825 378Geoffrey White, Chief Executive Officer +44 (0)7717 307 308Emma Priestley, Executive Director +44 (0)7867 785 177 Pelham PRCharles Vivian +44 (0) 20 7743 6672 +44 (0) 7977 297903Alisdair Haythornthwaite +44 (0) 20 7743 6676 +44 (0) 7714 721379 Collins Stewart Europe : NOMAD to LonrhoJonny Sloan/Hugh Field +44 (0) 20 7523 8350 NOTES TO EDITORS About LONRHO: Lonrho Plc is an expanding conglomerate that is rapidly growing a successfulbusiness throughout Africa. The Company is listed on the London AIM stockexchange (LONR). Lonrho is strategically focused on the development of businessopportunities in infrastructure, transportation, support services and naturalresources. The Company has over 20,000 shareholders and substantialinstitutional backing to support its mandate to build a profitable business thatplays a fundamental role in the development of the African economy. Since 2006, the Company has invested in or acquired control of: • Hotel Cardoso - www.hotelcardoso.co.mz• Lonrho Mining - www.lonrhomining.com• Luba Freeport - www.lubafreeport.com• Fly540 - www.fly540.com• Norse Air - www.norseair.co.za• Swissta Holdings - www.swissta.com• SA Independent Liner Services - www.saliners.com• Bytes and Pieces This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange