14th September 06

The Port of Felixstowe is celebrating yet another record for the number of containers handled by its two rail terminals. Volumes reached an all-time high in the week ending 9th September, when a total of 8,473 units were handled, breaking the previous record of 7,983, set in October 2005.

Rail volumes are due to remain at high levels for the coming months, and further record-breaking volumes are possible in the busy period running up to Christmas.

In response to the current high demand, the Port is currently holding discussions with four leading train operators to secure an additional daily service to operate out of the Port. The new service will be the 25th daily departure from the UK’s busiest container port.

Chris Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited, which owns the Port of Felixstowe, commented:

“These record-breaking volumes are excellent news. We are dedicated to transporting as many containers as possible by rail, thus easing pressure on the country’s road network. However, these record volumes, and the ever-increasing demand for rail, highlight the need to improve freight capacity on the railway network to enable us to sustain growth and maintain customer satisfaction”.

As part of the Felixstowe South development plans, the Port has agreed to undertake capacity improvements on the Felixstowe branch line, between Felixstowe and Ipswich. These proposals are to be the subject of a Public Inquiry, which will take place from 13th March 2007. It is intended that all improvements will be in place by 2009.

ENDS

Note to Editors

For further information, please contact Rachael Jackson, Corporate Affairs Officer, on Tel No: +44 (0) 1394 604167, Fax No: +44 (0) 1394 604943 or E-mail jacksonr@hpuk.co.uk

Port of Felixstowe (PFL) is the largest container port in the UK, and one of the largest in Europe. PFL 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 21 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Today, HPH operates a total of 251 berths in 43 ports, together with a number of transportation-related service companies. With industry-recognised core competence in the effective and efficient management and operation of ports, the HPH Group handled 51.8 million TEU in 2005.