January 29, 2002



Participation of the Omani Government in LNG Carrier owned by MOL,
and Conclusion of Long-term Time Charterparty





Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. ("MOL") are pleased to announce that we have finally settled with the Government of the Sultanate of Oman ("Omani Government") regarding Sale and Purchase of the share capital of Greenfield Holding Company Limited, a Cayman Islands company ("GHCL"), which through a wholly owned subsidiary, Greenfield Shipping Company Limited of Malta ("GSCL"), owns a newly-built LNG carrier named the "Lakshmi" ("the Vessel"). Further more, MOL hereby announce that 20 years Time Charterparty has been concluded between the Omani Government and GSCL.

January 26th, 2002 at Bangkok, the relevant agreements were signed by H E Ahmed Macki, Minister of National Economy, the Sultanate of Oman and Mr. Kunio Suzuki, President of MOL.

While former shareholding in GHCL was MOL 60%, Enron 20% and SCI 20%, Enron's 20% was acquired by MOL on November 20, 2001. The Omani Government acquired a 40 % share in GHCL from the MOL's shares of 80% which is the sum of its origin share 60% and Enron's 20%. As the consequence of this transaction, MOL and SCI keep shares of 40 % and 20 % respectively.

From the middle of December 2001, the Vessel has carried out the carriage of 2 cargoes from Oman under the voyage charter agreement with Oman LNG L.L.C.

The vessel was constructed for the DPC (Dabhol Power Company) Project promoted by U.S. energy major Enron and Indian Maharashtra State Electric Board ('MSEB'). However due to the disputes in relation with "Power Purchase Agreement" between DPC and MSEB, the Vessel will be entered into the charter with the Omani Government for the export of LNG from Oman, after termination of the charter to DPC

This is the first project for the Omani Government to participate in the LNG shipping. MOL has a plan to establish the office in Oman so that we, as the world's largest LNG transporter, will contribute to Omani LNG business.

S/S Lakshmi
Owner: GSCL
Flag: Malta
Built: November 15, 2002
Builder: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Nagasaki Shipyard
Tank Capacity: 135,000m3
Tank Type: MOSS Spherical Type