Sale & Bareboat Charters

Fisher (James) & Sons PLC 01 June 2007 For release Friday 1 June 2007 JAMES FISHER AND SONS PLC Sale and Long Term Bareboat Charters for James Fisher Everard James Fisher and Sons plc ('Fisher' or the 'Company'), the leading marine service provider, announces that it has concluded the sale and ten-year bareboat charters for the three 4,426 dwt clean petroleum product carriers, 'Speciality', 'Seniority' and 'Superiority', built in 2006 and 2007 by Qingshan Shipyard, Wuhan, China, for a total consideration of US$45 million. Fisher acquired the vessels as part of the acquisition of F T Everard & Sons Limited, completed in December 2006. The transaction has been completed with FSL Trust Management Pte. Ltd., the Trustee-Manager of First Ship Lease Trust ('FSL Trust') which is listed on the Main Board of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited. FSL Trust provides financing solutions and leasing services to the international shipping industry. FSL Trust assumes full residual value risk at the end of the charter period. The bareboat charter agreements contain various extension and purchase options for Fisher. In addition Fisher has the option to sell and bareboat charter back a fourth sister ship of the same type due for delivery in late June 2007, on identical commercial terms. Chairman of James Fisher, Tim Harris, commented: 'These bareboats complete the arrangement we intended on purchase of F T Everard & Sons at the end of last year. Compared with tax leasing and KG financing alternatives, FSL Trust offered attractive terms. As a result of these transactions, the gearing of the Group has been reduced to approximately 70%.' EC Hambro Rabben & Partners acted as corporate finance advisor to the Company. For further information contact James Fisher and Sons plc Tim Harris Chairman 020 7614 9508 EC Hambro Rabben & Partners Eivind Rabben 020 7355 4100 Financial Dynamics Richard Mountain 020 7269 7121 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
UK 100

Latest directors dealings