ASSOCIATED British Ports (ABP), owners and operators of Southampton docks, is expecting a three per cent increase in underlying operating profit in the first half of this year compared with the same period in 2002.

Details are contained in ABP's six monthly trading statement which says business at UK ports has continued to make progress and growth has been experienced in roll-on/roll-off trade, deep-sea container traffic, vehicle imports and exports, agribulk volumes and cruise-ship calls, all sectors strongly represented in Southampton.

A spokesman for ABP, which is also reporting increased business at Southampton Container Terminals, said: "During the first six months of 2003, and against the background of an uncertain market, the UK ports business has continued to develop, adding new revenue-related investments totalling more than £12m.

"While the general economic climate remains uncertain, the group's UK ports business has the advantage of having many long-term contracts with quality customers.''