Intercontainer-Interfrigo posts profit in 2006

Intercontainer-Interfrigo posts profit in 2006

Intercontainer-Interfrigo (ICF) said its strategy of cutting certain European intermodal services helped it achieve a net profit of 2.9 million euros ($3.9 million) in 2006, compared to a loss of 9 million euros in 2005.

   The company’s revenue and volumes declined as a consequence of concentrating on what it described as “highly promising core markets” — Switzerland, East-South East Europe and CIS. Total volumes decreased 17 percent to 429,800 TEUs while turnover dropped 19 percent to 143 million euros ($192.6 million).

   With 229,800 TEUs (53 percent) carried in maritime transport and 200,000 (47 percent) in continental traffic including CIS, the split of traffic to and from seaports and purely mainland shipments remained unchanged.

   Looking at the company’s prospects for 2007, ICF Managing Director Franz B'ni said he expects growth in turnover and another positive operating result, but on a lower level than in 2006 due to more competition.

   “In 2007, the 40th year of our existence, we shall be keeping up last year’s dynamics,” B'ni said. “Together with our customers, who are investing heavily in intermodal transport, we want to develop international transport corridors still further, thereby bringing extra value to the list of our USP as a neutral operator.”