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Aspo Oyj (HEL:ASU) ASPO Plc STOCK EXCHANGE BULLETIN August 11, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.

ESL Shipping Ltd, part of the Aspo Group, has today signed an agreement with SEB Leasing Ltd to repurchase the M/S Eira for a price of EUR 14.7 million. The transaction ensures that the ship will remain a long-term part of ESL Shipping's fleet and improves the company's operating profit as well as cash flow. The deal is being financed by a long-term bank loan.

Completed in 2001 in Japan, the Eira is a 20,000 dwt bulk carrier built to the highest Finnish ice class, 1A Super. The ship's total length is 158 meters and its width is 24.6 meters. With a full cargo, its maximum draft is approximately 9 meters and it is equipped with its own on-deck cranes. The ship sails under the Finnish flag. Since its launch, ESL Shipping has leased the Eira under the terms of a bareboat agreement.

Markus Karjalainen, President of ESL Shipping: "The repurchase decision follows ESL Shipping's strategy. The Eira is the first of four vessels planned at the turn of the millennium. It was designed to be an optimal solution for Baltic ports, where drafts need to be approximately 10 meters. Of nearly the same size are the M/S Credo - which was taken into use in 2005 - and two other ships currently under construction. Over the past seven years, the Eira has proved its worth as a technical solution, providing the necessary functionality, as well as producing excellent results."

Gustav Nyberg, CEO of Aspo: "The bareboat agreement made it possible to repurchase the ship at a price that is considerably lower than the current market prices. Transferring ownership of the vessel to ESL Shipping will improve Aspo Group's net profit by approximately EUR 0.9 million. In the future, it will generate some EUR one million in annual positive cash flow."

ASPO Plc

Gustav Nyberg CEO

For more information: Gustav Nyberg, +358 9 7595 256, +358 40 503 6420 gustav.nyberg@aspo.fi

Aspo is a conglomerate focusing on sectors that require extensive, specialist knowledge. Aspo is the owner and developer of market leading niche companies like ESL Shipping, Leipurin and Telko. Additionally, Aspo Ventures includes developing businesses such as Kaukomarkkinat. Aspo serves demanding business-to-business customers. Aspo's net sales (pro forma) amounted to EUR 495.3 million in 2007.

Distribution: OMX Nordic Exchange Helsinki The Media www.aspo.com

Aspo Oyj

http://www.aspo.fi/

ISIN: FI0009008072

Stock Identifier: XHEL.ASU