Hornbeck Offshore Services Inc., which transports supplies and equipment to offshore oil and gas rigs, said Thursday its fourth-quarter profit rose 13 percent, boosted by higher charter rates for its vessels.

Quarterly earnings increased to $17 million, or 64 cents per share, from $15.1 million, or 55 cents per share, during the same period in 2005.

The results included a gain of $1.5 million, or 4 cents per share, related to the sale of assets.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial forecast a profit of 59 cents per share. Thomson estimates usually exclude special items.

The company said interest income in the quarter nearly doubled to $5.4 million, or 13 cents per share, from $2.8 million during the same period a year ago.

Revenue advanced 14 percent to $65.3 million from $57.1 million. Analysts expected revenue of $65.6 million.

The company said revenue from its offshore supply vessel segment rose 10 percent to $39.3 million from $35.7 million during the same period of 2005. Offshore supply vessel dayrates rose 22 percent. Revenue from Hornbeck Offshore's tug and tank barges, which transport petroleum products, improved 20.9 percent to $26 million from $21.5 million. Tug and tank barge dayrates increased 11 percent versus the year-ago period.

Annual earnings more than doubled to $76.1 million, or $2.77 per share, from $37.4 million, or $1.64 per share, in 2005. Revenue grew 50 percent to $274.6 million from $182.6 million.