AP Moller-Maersk, the parent company of the world's largest container line, has announced that its interim net profit was US$1.56 billion, up 33 per cent over the first six months of 2006, the company announced.

During the reporting period, revenue improved by 15 per cent to $23.39 billion.

Despite the conglomerate's overall positive results, which were boosted by its tanker and oil and gas businesses, the company's container segment suffered another first half net loss of $168 million, but this was an improvement over H1 2006's net loss of $607 million.

Maersk Line, the company's largest container unit, transported close to three million FEU during the first half, up three per cent compared to the same period in 2006. After reducing capacity in loss-making markets, the carrier said its focus has been to improve earnings by moving tonnage from loss-making trades to trades with better earnings.

With a 13 per cent increase in volumes over the first six months, Maersk Line saw growth in the trades from Asia to Europe, and increased the number of routes it offers in this market. The company said its African and the Oceania trade volumes grew by 12 per cent and eight per cent, respectively.

In the transpacific trades, however, Maersk Line volumes fell 12 per cent, while the volumes on the transatlantic trades were unchanged. The company said its financial result on the transpacific trades was unsatisfactory as the costs of containerised transport to North America and especially to inlanddestinations were not making enough money through freight rates.

Consequently, Maersk Line reduced its inland North American route network offerings earlier this year.

Bunker prices during the first half of 2007 increased considerably and reached a historical high level in June, which was 35 per cent higher than it was in January.

During the first six months Maersk Line took delivery of 15 newbuilds and sold 13 older vessels.

The company's other container line Safmarine transported 295,000 FEU in the first half, a rise of 14 per cent compared to the same period in 2006.