Forth Ports has posted an increase in operating profit and turnover for the first six months of the year, but a fall in pre-tax profit. Operating profit went up 36% to £22.4m in the first half of 2007, and group revenue rose 21% to £90.1m. However, pre-tax profit dipped to £9m from £12m.
Forth Ports owns and operates seven commercial ports in the UK - Tilbury, Dundee, Leith, Grangemouth, Rosyth, Methil and Burntisland. Charles
Hammond, group chief executive, says Tilbury performed particularly strongly due to secure contracts, a better mix of cargo and tight cost control.
He adds: "Our ports business performed strongly in the first half of 2008 and we remain confident that the group will have another successful year. "The security and breadth of our business positions us well for more challenging economic conditions."
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