18 June 2001

As part of its ongoing consultation with the people of Harwich and surrounding areas, Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited has commissioned NOP Research Group, one of the UK's leading independent market research companies, to conduct a telephone survey to ascertain public opinion towards the proposed Container Terminal development at Bathside Bay.

The survey will commence on Monday 25th June 2001. Residents will be asked to comment on a wide range of issues arising from the plans, such as environmental impact and economic regeneration.

The survey is expected to take 5 weeks to complete. The information will then be used by Hutchison to develop its overall strategy for the development.

Andrew Harston, General Manager of Harwich International Port, said of the survey:

"We recognise the impact that this development will have on the Bathside Bay area, and feel that a sustained dialogue with local residents is vital to ensuring that we gain the best solution for all parties involved. This survey is just one of the ways in which we intend to gain a better understanding of local views."

When complete, the Bathside Bay terminal will boast a quay length of 1,400 metres, enabling it to handle four deep-sea container vessels concurrently. It will be capable of handling 1.7 million TEUs of containers per annum.

Note to editors:

Harwich International Port (HWH) is one of the UK's leading multi-purpose freight and passenger ports with excellent road and rail links to the Midlands, London and the South East. It is ideally located for North Sea freight and passenger traffic to and from Scandinavia and the Benelux countries, offering first class ro-ro, ferry, container and bulk operations.

HWH is a member Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH), an independent port investor, developer and operator with operations in 29 ports in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

For further information, please contact Paul Davey on Tel No: 44-1394 604987 or Fax No: 44-1394 604943 or e-mail: daveyps@hpuk.co.uk s