LONR Lonrho

RNS Number:6163C
Lonrho PLC
22 August 2007



22 August 2007



                                   LONRHO PLC
                          ("Lonrho" or the "Company")

           SHIPPING COMPANY"SAILS" DOUBLES CONTAINER VESSELS IN FLEET


Lonrho (AIM: LONR), the African conglomerate with a diverse portfolio of
investments is pleased to announce that its 45% subsidiary SA Independent Liner
Services (PTY) Ltd ("SAILS") has signed contracts with ship suppliers for two
vessels, which will increase its fleet to four container vessels and tonnage to
36,547 tonnes.

Lonrho announced its investment in SAILS in July 2007 and the intention of
expanding SAILS' fleet to offer regular, scheduled services from South Africa to
West Africa and Europe.


The two sister ships that were being operated by SAILS prior to Lonrho's
investment, namely the 8,300 tonne MV Berta and MV Emilia, both with carrying
capacities of 650 twenty foot containers (TEU), will be used to provide a
regular South Africa/ West Africa service.


New Vessels

Two new vessels will be added to the fleet as from the end of August 2007,
namely:

  * the 9,966 tonne MV Taga Bay, with 1,100 twenty foot container capacity;
    and
  * the 9,981 tonne MV Heinrick Sibum, with carrying capacity of 966
    containers.



The MV Taga Bay is a brand new vessel chartered to SAILS for a period of 24
months and will be the first vessel to carry the LONRHO SAILS branding.  The
Taga Bay has 220 refrigerated container plugs.  She will be delivered in
Shanghai at the end of August 2007, where she will lift cargo for various
parties to South Africa where she will take up her assignment on the South
Africa/ West Africa/ Europe service.  The Taga Bay is expected to run profitably
from her first trip being the Shanghai to South Africa voyage.



The MV Heinrick Sibum is scheduled to be delivered by the end of August 2007,
and is chartered on a round voyage basis with options for additional round trip
voyage, thereby providing additional carrying capacity to Europe.  This vessel
has 252 refrigerated container plugs.



Further Expansion

In addition, SAILS is seeking three more 1,100 container capacity, fast vessels
to add to its fleet with the aim of bringing these into service over the next
four months. These 3 vessels are also planned to service the South Africa -
Europe route.





David Lenigas, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive commented;



"The advancement of the SAILS strategy to become one of the leading shipping
companies in Southern Africa providing a regular and reliable service to Europe
is evidenced by the fact that last week the MV Berta sailed fully laden from
Rotterdam, destined for Dakar, Tema and then Cape Town.



"This is an exciting time for the Lonrho SAILS partnership and we look forward
to further expansion of the fleet in the near future."






ENQUIRIES


Lonrho Plc                                                  +44 (0) 20 7016 5105
David Lenigas, Chief Executive                              +44 (0)7881 825 378
Emma Priestley, Executive Director                          +44 (0)7867 785 177

SAILS
Ian Wicks                                                   +27 (0)82 3871202
                                                            +27 (0)21 4211750

Pelham PR
Charles Vivian                                              +44 (0) 20 7743 6672
                                                            +44 (0) 7977 297903
Alisdair Haythornthwaite                                    +44 (0) 20 7743 6676
                                                            +44 (0) 7714 721379

Collins Stewart Europe
Hugh Field / Jonny Sloan                                    +44 (0) 20 7523 8350





NOTES TO EDITORS


About SAILS



SAILS is a South African based shipping company focused on providing a regular
and reliable scheduled service to West Africa, and Europe calling at - Durban,
Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Tema; Lagos, Rotterdam, Felixstowe, Bremerhaven and
Antwerp. In the medium term SAILS is constantly monitoring and assessing
alternative trade routes, including potentially East Africa, and looking to
expand rapidly to support the needs of itsalready strong client base.



About LONRHO



Lonrho Plc is an expanding conglomerate that is rapidly growing a successful
business throughout Africa. The Company is listed on the London AIM stock
exchange (LONR). Lonrho is strategically focused on the development of business
opportunities in infrastructure, transportation, support services and natural
resources. The Company has over 20,000 shareholders and substantial
institutional backing to support its mandate to build a profitable business that
plays a fundamental role in the development of the African economy.



Since 2006, the Company has invested in or acquired control of:

*               Hotel Cardoso - www.hotelcardoso.co.mz (retained)
*               Nare Diamonds - www.narediamonds.com
*               Brinkley Mining - www.brinkley-mining.com
*               Luba Freeport - www.lubafreeport.com
*               Fly540 - www.fly540.com
*               Norse Air - www.norseair.co.za
*               Swissta Holdings - www.swissta.com
*               Countermine - www.countermine.com
*               SA Independent Liner Services




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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