(Canadian Pacific issued the following news rleease on April 4.)
CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway and Fording Canadian Coal Trust today announced CPR and Elk Valley Coal Corporation have reached a five-year agreement for the transportation of metallurgical coal from all of Elk Valley Coal’s mines in southeast British Columbia to Vancouver area ports for export.
The key elements of the confidential contract are:
– a five-year deal covering Elk Valley Coal’s five mines in southeast
B.C. that is retroactive to April 1, 2004, and extends to
March 31, 2009;
– a commitment to increase the base volumes of coal to be moved in line with Elk Valley Coal’s planned capacity increases;
– a framework for the movement of additional tonnes above the base volume during the 2006-2008 coal years, with a rate premium on the additional tonnes;
– fixed coal year rates for the first three years of the contract, with the 2004 rate being approximately 20% higher than the 2003 rate and the 2005 and 2006 rates being in the order of 60% higher than the 2003 rate;
– rates for the 2007 and 2008 coal years that will be linked to Elk Valley Coal’s price for coal with a floor and ceiling rate, both of which will be higher than the 2004 rate;
– a fuel cost adjustment mechanism for the last two years of the contract.
In addition, the parties resolved a number of other operations and commercial issues. CPR and Elk Valley Coal have agreed to discontinue all legal and regulatory proceedings relating to their previous contract dispute over the transportation of coal from Elk Valley Coal’s five coal mines in southeast British Columbia to Vancouver area ports for export.
“We are very pleased to have finalized this new contract with Elk Valley Coal,” said Rob Ritchie, CPR President and CEO. “This contract provides clarity and stability in our operational and financial relationship. Both parties can now work together to take full advantage of the increasing global demand for metallurgical coal.”
As a result of this contract signing, CPR projects an increase of $0.55 to $0.60 in 2005 earnings per share(1) (EPS) and, therefore, is increasing its 2005 EPS(1) guidance to a range of $3.15 to $3.25. This would represent an increase in the range of 38% to 43%, compared with 2004 results.
CPR will discuss the impact of this agreement with analysts and the media in a short conference call beginning at 10:00 a.m. EDT (8:00 a.m. MDT) on April 5th.
CONFERENCE CALL ACCESS
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Dial-in numbers: 1-800-814-4857 or 416-640-4127. Callers should dial in 10 minutes prior to the call to register. A replay of the conference call will be available by phone through April 12, 2005, at 1-877-289-8525 or 416-640-1917, pass code 21120239 followed by the number sign.
About Canadian Pacific Railway
Canadian Pacific Railway is a transcontinental carrier operating in Canada and the U.S. Its 14,000-mile rail network serves the principal centres of Canada, from Montreal to Vancouver, and the U.S. Northeast and Midwest regions. CPR feeds directly into America’s heartland from the East and West coasts. Alliances with other carriers extend its market reach throughout the U.S. and into Mexico. Canadian Pacific Logistics Solutions provides logistics and supply chain expertise worldwide. For more information, visit CPR’s website at www.cpr.ca.