THE W. SHIPPING LIMITED RETIREMENT BENEFITS PLAN

PURSUANT TO SECTON 27 OF THE TRUSTEE ACT 1925

The W. Shipping Limited Retirement Benefits Plan (‘‘the Scheme’’) was formerly known from 1975 until 1993 as the Worms Cargo Services UK Limited Retirement Benefit Plan and from 1993 to 1999 as the World Shipping Agencies Limited Retirement Benefit Plan. Notice is hereby given that the wind-up of the Scheme has commenced. Any person having a claim against or interest in the Scheme is hereby required to send written particulars of his or her claim or interest to the address given below on or before 19 July 2002. After that date the assets of the Scheme will be distributed amongst the persons entitled to them having regard only to the claims and interests of which the Trustees of the Scheme (‘‘the Trustees’’) shall then have had notice. The Trustees will not, as regards the assets of the Scheme or any part thereof so distributed, be liable to any person of whose claim or interest it shall not then have had notice. Any person who has already made a claim and received a response need not re-apply to the Trustees. Persons who have changed their address since receiving their last communication from the Trustee should reply with details of their new address. Please reply to the Trustees of the W. Shipping Limited Retirement Benefits Plan c/o HSBC Actuaries and Consultants Limited, 15 Logie Mill, Edinburgh, EH7 4HG. 8 May 2002.