Anniversary in Hamburg: 175 years Rickmers

* Five generations in shipping - a family's history

* Chronicle "175 Years Rickmers" to be published by Hoffmann und Campe

* Top-level symposium on the global crisis at the Hotel Atlantic in Hamburg

* Senate reception and celebration with international guests

Hamburg 9 June 2009.

Their family has been involved in shipping for 175 years. They are the fifth generation and today run two independent groups of companies: Bertram and Erck Rickmers, entrepreneurs and ship owners from Hamburg, will be celebrating the 175th anniversary of the Rickmers family in shipping on 12th June 2009. The festivities will be under the heading: "One family - two companies". The day will start with a symposium, where distinguished professors from international universities will examine ways to overcome the global crisis. In the evening, the mayor of Hamburg Ole von Beust will host a reception for the Rickmers brothers and their anniversary guests in the banquet hall at Hamburg's City Hall after which more than 50 family members and 400 invited guests will celebrate the special day at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce. To mark the occasion, Hoffmann und Campe will publish a chronicle on the Rickmers family. Also to mark the occasion of the foundation of the Rickmers Shipyard 175 years ago, the German Shipping Museum in Bremerhaven is presenting a special exhibition from 20th June 2009 until 17th January 2010.

A family's involvement in shipping

How it all began: 175 years ago, in June 1834, Rickmer Clasen Rickmers, born on the island of Heligoland, founded the Rickmers shipyard in Bremerhaven, thus laying the foundations for the family's long involvement in the shipping business. In addition to the shipyard and the shipping business, the trained ship builder also became involved in rice trading. By 1890, under the management of the second Rickmers generation, the Rickmers Rice Mill had developed into one of the leading rice processing companies in Europe. The following generations entered into steam shipping, the Asia trade as well as liner services. Wars and new beginnings also determined their actions. Thus the Rickmers history also reflects the social history of the early 19th century. Today, Bertram and Erck Rickmers, the fifth generation of entrepreneurs, run two independent groups of companies, employing more than 5000 people both ashore and at sea.

Hoffmann und Campe publishes "175 years Rickmers" chronicle

"Wars, international politics and economic set-backs influenced the activities our ancestors. With determination, every generation had to start again from scratch and had to build new foundations", this is how Bertram and Erck Rickmers summarize their family history. To preserve the history of their remarkable family, the brothers have published the 320-page chronicle "175 years Rickmers" together with the publishing house Hoffmann und Campe. The book includes many illustrations and will be available in bookstores from 20th June 2009 at 59 Euro.

Top-class symposium on "The Global Crisis and Roads to Recovery"

For invited guests, a symposium with highest calibre international personalities discussing "The Global Crisis and Roads to Recovery" will take place at 9 a.m. on 12th June 2009 at the Hotel Atlantic in Hamburg. The symposium will offer an insight into some of the most relevant thoughts on dealing with the current challenging period of change.

Speakers will include:

- Niall Ferguson, Professor of Economic History, Harvard University,

- Kishore Mahbubani, Professor of Public Policy, University of Singapore,

- Nouriel Roubini, Professor of Economics, New York University's Stern School of Business,

- Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Professor of Risk Engineering, New York University's Polytechnical Institute.

Martin Wolf, co-publisher and chief economics commentator, Financial Times, London, will moderate this event.

About 450 international guests, including long-standing business friends, will be attending the celebrations at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce in the evening of 12th June 2009.

Note to editors:

E.R. Capital Holding

The companies owned by Erck Rickmers are managed under the umbrella of E.R. Capital Holding, including E.R. Schiffahrt, a ship owner and ship management company serving the container, bulk and offshore shipping sectors with a fleet of 119 vessels in service and under construction. E.R. Schiffahrt is one of the world's largest charter companies for container vessels. In addition the group is active in the financing of shipping projects. The issuing house Nordcapital has so far issued approx. 100 closed-end ship funds. Further investment areas include real estate, private equity and renewable energies. The private equity company equitrust AG manages the fund of funds business as well as investing itself in medium sized companies.

Rickmers Group

Rickmers is a diversified group with activities in the business fields of liner shipping, shipowning and shipmanagement, investments and real estate as well as maritime related services. As a ship owner and manager, the group manages a state-of-the-art fleet, mainly consisting of container ships. Multipurpose/heavy lift vessels, bulkers and car carriers complement the portfolio. Currently, more than 100 ships are being operated. 26 newbuildings are planned to be delivered within the next couple of years. Another key business of the company is liner shipping. Rickmers-Linie, with its worldwide network of offices and agents, is a leading specialist in the sea transportation of breakbulk, heavylift and project cargoes. The activities of the group are being complemented by activities in the investment sector, real estate and maritime related services.

This press release will be available for download on www.er-ship.com and www.rickmers.com from 12 June 2009.

Kontakt

Rickmers Group
Marko Stampehl
Manager Corporate Communication
Tel.: 040 - 3891 77219
E-Mail: m.stampehl@rickmers.net


E.R. Schiffahrt
Stefanie Rother
Leiterin Presse & PR
Tel.: 040 - 3008 2624
E-Mail: presse@nordcapital.com