RNS Number:8799T
Forth Ports PLC
06 January 2004


                                  FORTH PORTS PLC

                              YEAR END TRADING UPDATE
                         YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2003
                                                                  6 January 2004

Forth Ports PLC issues its year end trading update for the year ended 31st
December 2003. The Group's preliminary results announcement is expected to be
made on 22nd March 2004.

Trading within the Group's ports for the year ended 31st December 2003 is in
line with our expectations. Trading performance at Tilbury has continued to be
ahead of last year with strong performances in key cargo areas. Performance
within the Scottish Ports has also been strong, particularly at Grangemouth,
Rosyth and Leith. Tonnages at the Group's marine terminals have been lower than
expected although the financial effect of this has not been significant.

Prospects for growth in our Port activities have been further strengthened by
the signing of a new fifteen year agreement with Stora Enso for the provision of
warehousing, storage and distribution facilities at Tilbury which will allow
Stora Enso to import in excess of 700,000 tonnes of paper products through this
dedicated facility. This agreement is underpinned by guaranteed minimum tonnages
throughout the life of the contract and is scheduled to commence operation in
July 2005.

The second half of 2003 was exceptionally busy for the Property division.
Following the receipt in June of outline planning consent at Granton for 3,400
residential units, significant progress has been made on the infrastructure
plans. There has been an increase in the spend on infrastructure at Granton and
Western Harbour in the last quarter of 2003 and this will continue through to
the end of 2005. Progress is also being made on revised masterplans for both
developments to enable smaller plot sizes to be marketed. This will increase
competition for the plots in the future. Demand for plots continued to be strong
in the second half of the year with six plots at Granton and one plot at Western
Harbour being sold to a wide range of national and local housing developers.

Overall, Group performance is expected to be in line with our expectations.

Enquiries to:   Charles Hammond, Group Chief Executive    Tel. 0131 555 8700
                Wilson Murray, Group Finance Director     Tel. 0131 555 8700
                Jon Coles, Brunswick                      Tel. 0207 404 5959
                Kate Miller, Brunswick                    Tel. 0207 404 5959

                                      end


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