Ports of Auckland profit due

Ports of Auckland is expected to announce its interim profit this week.

The port is wholly owned by Auckland Regional Holdings, the commercial arm of Auckland Regional Council, but it still has its own set of accounts. It pays a dividend to ARH, rather than being fully consolidated into its accounts.

The profit result is not likely to be as detailed as was the case when Ports of Auckland was listed on the share market but it will be of interest to analysts trying to assess the profitability of business from shipping company Maersk the port won last year from Port of Tauranga.

Ports of Auckland and Port of Tauranga are in talks about merging with a decision expected by the end of this month. Any merger plan faces considerable anti-trust hurdles.

- NZPA