In January, Hutchison CAT Wireless Multimedia commences CDMA-1X mobile services in Thailand and receives encouraging responses.
In February, A.S. Watson signs an agreement with Nestle Waters for the sale of the Powwow company, one of the leading players of the Home & Office Delivery water business in Europe. The purchase price is 560 million euros (enterprise value) and the transaction completes at the end of June 2003.
In March, Hutchison Port Holdings announces the establishment of Shanghai Pudong International Terminals Limited (SPCT). The newly formed company is a joint venture owned by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone Stevedoring Company (40 per cent), Hutchison Ports Pudong Limited (30 per cent), COSCO Pacific (China) Investments Limited (20 per cent), and Shanghai Investment Infrastructure Holdings Limited (10 per cent). With a tenure of 50 years the joint venture has a registered capital of RMB 1.9 billion. Located in the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, SPCT operates Waigaoqiao Terminal Phase I.
In March, A.S. Watson announces that its retail chain Watsons Your Personal Store has launched its first ever outlets at the Hong Kong International Airport. Three Watsons Your Personal Store outlets are opened at the Check-In, Arrival and West Halls of the airport and one managed by Watsons sister company, Nuance-Watson (HK) Limited Partnership.
In March, 3 UK announces that it has entered into agreements with its lenders to extend and amend the term of its loan facilities to support the next-stage rollout of the UK's first commercial 3G mobile video, multimedia and communications service.
In March, Hutchison Port Holdings and P.T. Pelabuhan Indonesia II (PELINDO II) announce the official launch of Indonesia's new container hub port in Jakarta. HPH and PELINDO II together have transformed the port of Jakarta into a world-class container hub. The new hub port, comprising of Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT) and KOJA Container Terminal, has a continuous berth of 1,200 metres linking the facilities of JICT and KOJA. The new facilities are capable of simultaneously handling several container vessels of the latest generation, making Jakarta container port a world-class container hub port for the country of Indonesia.
In March, H3G Italy S.p.A. announces new tariffs and launches a prepaid card service for 3. Commercial service starts with the delivery of the first videophones to the pre-registered clients.
In March, the Group rolls out its 3G mobile video and multimedia services in the UK.
In April, Hutchison Telecoms Australia launches 3 - Australia's first live person-to-person mobile video telephony and information, communication and entertainment service.
In May, Hutchison 3G Austria GmbH opens 3Stores in Austria, marking the beginning of 3's mobile multimedia services in the country.
In May, Hi3G Access AB rolls out the first 3G mobile video communication service in Sweden. Hi3G Access also starts to take pre-bookings in the first retail outlets in its distribution network throughout Sweden.
In June, the Group and NTT DoCoMo, Inc. announce that the two companies have agreed on further details (25 June 2003) regarding the agreement they concluded on 23 April, 2003 to cooperate on the development and promotion of third-generation services, based on W-CDMA technology. According to the terms of the agreement, the Group and NTT DoCoMo collaborate on the areas of handsets, standards, international roaming and radio technology.
In July, Hutchison 3G HK Limited awards a contract to NEC and Siemens mobile for the supply of the radio network of its third generation (3G) WCDMA-based network.
In July, Hutchison Port Holdings announces the acquisition of 51 per cent stake in LC Terminal Portuaria de Contenedores S.A. de C.V.
In July, Hongkong International Terminals announces the official launch of Container Terminal Nine (CT9), Hong Kong's newest container handling facility. Once completed in 2005, CT9 North provides HIT with two berths with a total quay length of 700 metres. The alongside depth of 15.5 metres is designed to accommodate the next generation of container vessels.
In August, Husky Energy agrees to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Marathon Canada Limited and the Western Canadian assets of Marathon International Petroleum Canada, Ltd through a wholly owned subsidiary. The total purchase price is USD588 million. The effective date of the transaction is 1 October 2003. In a separate transaction, Husky agrees to sell certain of the Marathon Canada oil and gas properties to a third party for a sale price of USD320 million.
In September, Hi3G Access Norway AS, wholly owned subsidiary of Hi3G Access AB, has been awarded a licence to offer 3G services in Norway. The company provides the Norwegian population with world-leading mobile video communication and other mobile telecom services under the brand 3.
In October, Hutchison 3G Ireland launches its 3G network offering its key corporate partners access to its services in Dublin. The services include video mobile calling and a range of content.
In November, Husky Energy signs a contract with the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) for the 04/35 exploration block in the East China Sea. This is the first exploration contract signed by Husky with CNOOC, which demonstrates the company's interest in expanding our operations into the East China Sea.
In November, the Group signs an agreement with KPN, under which KPN agrees to sell its entire shareholding in Hutchison 3G UK to HWL. Upon completion of the transaction on 31 December 2007, the Group's shareholding in Hutchison 3G UK increases from 65 per cent to 80 per cent.
In December, Hutchison Global Communications Limited announces its collaboration with the Internet Thailand Public Company Limited and with HiNet in Taiwan to target market opportunities in IP-related services.
In December, the Group marks an important development of 3 in Hong Kong by unveiling a range of exciting and innovative video mobile services made possible by the company's ground breaking 3G technology. 3 delivers to customers an integrated information, communication and entertainment service on its new generation of mobile phones, which also offer video calling and video messaging.