Aspo - Company Announcement

ASPO'S ESL SHIPPING REPURCHASES M/S EIRA

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