15th April 2008

Thamesport (London) took delivery of its seventh ship-to-shore gantry crane and eight Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs) on 8th April 2008.

The latest addition to the ship-to-shore gantry cranes, manufactured by Zhenhua Port Machinery Company (ZPMC), is 72 metres high. It can handle containers stowed 21-wide, with the ability to twin-lift containers to a maximum capacity of 85 tonnes.

Chris Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Ports, which owns Thamesport, said:

“With the UK facing increasing capacity constraints at deep-water container ports, the new gantry crane will improve our ability to handle the latest generation of ultra-large container ships."

He added:

“The new RTGs will increase the efficiency of landside operations at Thamesport, reflecting its ongoing commitment to improving productivity and customer service. The new equipment will ensure that we are able to meet the needs of our customers and maintain our high levels of service integrity.”

The eight RTGs, manufactured by Fantuzzi Reggiane in Italy, will be capable of stacking containers one over five high, as opposed to the current one over four high capability of the existing Rail Mounted Gantry Cranes. The 16-wheel machines are fitted with AC drive engineering supplied by Noell based on Siemens inverters and will be powered by Caterpillar diesel engines. The additional RTGs will improve yard handling capability and increase the speed of landside operations.

Following extensive commissioning tests, it is anticipated that the ship-to-shore gantry crane will be fully operational in six weeks.

ENDS

Note to Editors:

For further information, or a PHOTOGRAPH, please contact Rachael Jackson, Public Relations Manager, on Tel. No: +44 (0)1394 604167, Fax No: +44 (0)1394 604943 or E-mail: jacksonr@hpuk.co.uk www.thamesport.co.uk

Thamesport (TMP) is located in the heart of South East England, 10 miles from the M2 motorway, 35 miles from London. It is one of the UK’s busiest container ports.

TMP is a member of the Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) Group, a subsidiary of the multinational conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL). HPH is the world's leading port investor, developer and operator, with interests in a total of 292 berths in 47 ports, spanning 24 countries throughout Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas. HPH also owns a number of transportation-related service companies. In 2006, the HPH Group handled a combined throughput of 59.3 million TEU worldwide.