Tropical raises second-quarter operating profits
Tropical Shipping, the shipping arm of the Nicor Inc. group, made an operating income of $6.9 million in the second quarter, up from $4.9 million in the same quarter of last year, due to higher volumes shipped in its U.S./Caribbean services.
Revenue was up 8 percent to $72.4 million from $67.1 million.
“We are seeing the positive impact on our shipping business of improvements in the economy in the Caribbean and Bahamas,” said Thomas L. Fisher, Nicor’s chairman and chief executive officer.
For the six months ended June 30, Tropical’s operating income increased to $11.1 million from $10.6 million in the same period of 2003. Nicor said the higher profit was primarily due to higher volumes shipped, but was partially offset by cost increases unrelated to volumes and lower average rates related to a change in cargo mix. Revenue for the first six months was $140.2 million, as compared to $133.6 million in the first half of 2003.