Date: Friday, November 9, 2007

Re:	Heavy Storms in the North Sea

Due to severe storms and an expected spring tide of approximately three metres, the North Sea Port of Rotterdam was closed yesterday, November 8th. Oher ports like Bremerhaven and Hamburg are expected to follow today. This will lead to delays for all vessels naturally.

In addition, the German railroad is on strike and has cancelled 700-900 commercial cargo trains per day starting yesterday. The strike action will continue until Saturday morning, November 10th.