SCHEVENINGEN, The Netherlands - 29 June 2005: Norfolkline, one of the leading multimodal short sea carriers in North Europe, today announced its intention to acquire Norse Merchant Ferries, a leading Ro-Ro/Ferry operator on the Irish Sea. Norfolkline and Wayzata Investment Partners, on behalf of the shareholders of Norse Merchant Group Limited, have signed a Letter of Intent and the parties expect to reach a definitive agreement on the purchase in due course subject to, inter alia, due diligence and necessary third party and governmental consents including antitrust approvals.


Should the deal be completed successfully, the proposed acquisition of Norse Merchan t Ferries will clearly strengthen Norfolklines brand name and create a unique opportunity for further development in the European Ro-Ro Market. Both companies have ongoing new building programs and if the parties enter into a final agreement, the combined company will serve its customers with the youngest, fastest and most reliable fleet in the market.


Announcing the news, Managing Director of Norfolkline, Thomas Woldbye, stated that:


"Norse Merchant represent a strategic opportunity for Norfolkline to expand our core business in a complementary manner within a market we know well and where our trailer and logistics business is already very active. It will give us flexibility and add further value to our customers. We are looking very much forward to combining the forces of two strong companies.


The employees are important to both Norfolkline and Norse Merchant and the aim of this proposed acquisition is to build up towards future growth. Norfolkline i s committed to be first class to its customers and employees as well as to its shareholders."


The parties have agreed not to disclose transaction details including price.


Further information can be obtained from:



Norfolkline
Thomas Woldbye
+31 (0)70 3527984
press@norfolkline.com
www.norfolkline.com


Wayzata Investment Partners
Steven Adams
+1 952 345 0705
www.wayzatainvestmentpartners.com


Norse Merchant Group Limited
Derek Sloan
+44 (0)151 906 2741
derek.sloan@norsemerchant.com
www.norsemerchant.com


David Cheslin
+44 (0)207 480 0601
davidcheslin@dunelmpr.co.uk



About Norfolkline
Norfolkline is a leading, first class multimodal short sea carrier operating Ro-Ro/Ferry and container routes in North Europe, offers intermodal services between North and Southern Europe and logistics and distribution services for both dry and refrigerated products across Europe.
Norfolkline, headquartered in Scheveningen, has 35 offices in 13 countries with over 1300 employees.
Norfolkline is part of the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group, which has over 60,000 employees in more than 125 countries.


Key Facts about Norfolkline Ferry Division
Norfolkline Ferry Division engages both in Ro-Ro and Passenger services on the North Sea and the English Channel by operating 9 vessels and 3 different short sea routes. Norfolkline vessels make more than 190 departures each week on Felixstowe - Scheveningen, Dover a- Dunkerque and Esbjerg -Immingham / Harwich routes. The division has over 400 employees in 8 offices.
The division has a dedicated terminal in Scheveningen and has recently announced its intention to move its terminal to Vlaardingen.



About Norse Merchant Ferries
Norse Merchant Ferries is a leading Ro-Ro/ferry operator in Irish Sea. The company is headquartered in Liverpool and has presence in Ireland, United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.


With a fleet of 9 vessels, Norse Merchant Ferries operate over 100 sailings per week on Belfast- Heysham, Belfast- Birkenhead, Dublin- Heysham and Dublin Birkenhead routes.


The company has 450 employees and operates dedicated terminals in Belfast, Dublin and Birkenhead.