[6 October 2004 - Hong Kong] - Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement today with the Port Authority of Thailand to develop six container terminals in the Laem Chabang Port.

Hutchison Laemchabang Terminal Limited, formed by a consortium comprising of Hutchison Port Holdings, Hutchison Ports Thailand and Lexton Thailand, has been awarded a 30-year concession to build and operate six container terminals in Chon Buri's Laem Chabang deep-sea port.

Commenting on the investment, John Meredith, Group Managing Director of HPH said, "Thailand is experiencing double digit trade growth. Laem Chabang Port is linked to excellent road and rail connections to many industrial areas of Thailand, enabling the new container terminals to facilitate faster, more efficient movement of cargo to and from the hinterland. Laem Chabang is well-positioned to become the region's transport hub. We look forward to participating in the growth and to fulfill the government's vision of making Laem Chabang a world-class hub."

In terms of facilities, the container terminals will have a total quay length of 3,250 metres with depth alongside of 16 metres. The terminals will be equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to handle the world's latest generation of container vessels.

Laem Chabang is located in the middle of industrial and manufacturing zones, home to many of the world's largest producers and manufacturers. In 2003, the Laem Chabang Port recorded 3.4 million TEU.

Mr. Teerayuth Dummanond, Managing Director, Laemchabang Port, Port Authority of Thailand (left) and Mr. John Meredith, Group Managing Director of Hutchison Port Holdings (right) at the agreement signing ceremony.

Notes to Editors:

Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the multinational conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL), is the world's leading port investor, developer and operator with interests in 17 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

Today, HPH operates a total of 206 berths in 35 ports together with a number of transportation related service companies. With industry recognized core competence in the effective and efficient management and operation of ports, the HPH Group handled 41.5 million TEU in 2003.