Forest product throughput increased at the Medway Ports of Sheerness and Chatham during the first six months of 2003 but declined at the Port of Liverpool, according to the Mersey Docks & Harbour Company.
The company’s Medway Ports operations saw paper and timber handling rise to 278,000 tonnes from 247,000 tonnes during the corresponding period in 2002. At Liverpool, forest products dipped to 189,000 tonnes from 237,000 tonnes last year.
The firm saw its overall turnover rise 6.3% to £141.7m during the period, with underlying pre-tax profits remaining at £27m. Operating profits in its core ports division were up 3.9%.
Chairman Gordon Waddell said: “Both market and wider economic issues have remained uncertain during the first half, but there are signs that they are beginning to look slightly more positive.”
