[24 October 2002 - Hong Kong] - A new direct service between Shantou and Japan commenced on October 24, 2002 with an inauguration ceremony held at Shantou International Container Terminals (SICT).

Deploying two vessels, the weekly service calls at SICT every Thursday and leaves on the same day for Japan. It takes only six days from Shantou to Yokohama and eight days to Osaka and Kobe respectively. The service offers a more cost-effective choice to shippers.

Mr. Edward Tang, general manager of SICT commented, "Thanks to the support of Powick (HK) Shipping and the co-operation of relevant departments of Shantou Municipal Government, SICT's first Japan service commenced successfully. It is the second international service we have after Pan Ocean's Korea service. In addition to developing domestic transshipment services for example, to Xiamen and Yantian, we shall dedicate ourselves to open more international services at SICT to strengthen our service network."

Notes to Editors:

Shantou International Container Terminals (SICT) coastal port is a joint venture between Hutchison Delta Ports (HDP) and Shantou Port Authority and was the first dedicated container terminal in Shantou. Situated on the coast at Shantou in Guangdong province, it has been in operation since 1997 and is part of the HDP network, currently comprising three coastal and three river ports in South China.

SICT is a member of the Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) Group, the world's leading port investor, developer and operator with interests in 15 countries throughout Asia, Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Today, HPH operates a total of 30 ports together with a number of transportation related service companies.

A ceremony for the inauguration of Shantou - Japan direct service was held on 24 October 2002 at SICT.