AEI: Micael S. Marr to Head Ocean Services

CONTACT: 
Michael S. Marr, AEI, Fax: 203  655 5895, Internet: exomsm@aeilogis.com
Candace Bouchard, AEI, Fax: 203 655 5895; Internet: exocb@aeilogis.com

                      AEI NAMES MICHAEL S. MARR TO
                     HEAD WORLDWIDE OCEAN SERVICES
                                
    AEI Also Discloses Plan to Reduce Number of Worldwide Ocean Carriers
                                
DARIEN, CT  USA (June 17, 1997) -- AEI (NASDAQ:AEIC)  has named Michael S. Marr
to be responsible for worldwide ocean services operations. Marr has managed the
North American ocean service operation since March 1994. He was responsible for
the profitable integration of Votainer, the Dutch NVOCC bought by AEI in 1993,
into AEI's North American network.

Marr spearheaded efforts in North America to develop a feature within AEI's
LOGIS(R) information management system that would track, in real-time, seagoing
shipments anywhere in the world. The system, known as LOGIS-Ocean, is now being
rolled out across the United States and Canada.  Marr is also a member of the
National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America's
Freight Forwarding Committee.

Commenting on Marr's promotion, Guenter Rohrmann, AEI's president and chief
executive officer, said, "Through Mike's hard work and dedication during this
period, he transformed AEI Ocean Services from a money losing operation into a
stable and profitable business.  We are pleased that he has agreed to take on
the challenge of improving and growing our worldwide ocean activities."

Marr commented, "AEI's strategy is to be the first and only choice for global
integrated logistics, and ocean services is a critical component in executing
that strategy.  Companies increasingly are turning to one partner to manage all
of their transportation and logistics functions. With our network, our 
technology and our people, we are well positioned to ensure that seafreight
fits prominently in AEI's service portfolio."

Separately, Marr announced that AEI has begun a program to consolidate the
number of steamship lines it conducts business with. The new plan calls for the
top 25 carriers to control 80 percent of AEI's seafreight business. Currently,
AEI does business with 60 steamship lines worldwide. 

"Currently, we use multiple carriers on many shipping lanes," Marr said. "On
some lanes, it may make sense. On others, it may not.  We will examine each
lane we serve and determine if we can derive greater economies of scale by 
rationalizing our carrier network. One of our objectives is to leverage
our volumes to create attractive pricing scenarios for ourselves and for our
customers."

Marr cautioned, however, that price will not be the sole consideration. "We
will only work with carriers that have a strong infrastructure, good people,
leading-edge information systems and a reputation for quality service. We will
not sacrifice customer service just to obtain the lowest possible rate."

AEI Ocean Services' 1996 revenue was $190 million. It moved approximately
86,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) last year. Long-term, AEI expects
ocean services to account for 30 percent of the company's total revenue. AEI's
1996 revenues were a record $1.35 billion.

Based in Darien, CT, AEI is a world leader in integrated logistics services,
providing multi-modal transportation, warehousing and distribution, customs
brokerage, consulting and information services to its multi-national customer
base. The largest U.S.-based international freight forwarder, AEI operates out
of 875 locations in 135 countries.

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