Highlights for first half 2007:
- Group operating profit excluding exceptional items rises 31% to EUR 139.4 million (1H 2006: EUR 106.8 million)
- Net profit attributable to holders of ordinary shares increases 73% to EUR 91.5 million (1H 2006: EUR 52.9 million)
- Earnings per ordinary share excluding exceptional items up 48% to EUR 1.32 (1H 2006: EUR 0.89)
- Demand for storage services continues to be high in all markets
- All divisions contribute to the improvement in group operating profit
- Commissioned a new terminal in Zhangjiagang (China), with a storage capacity of 124,600 cbm, in June
Near-term outlook:
- Vopak will add more than 2.3 million cbm in storage capacity worldwide during 2007 and 2008, including expansion in Zhangjiagang (China)
- Following projects are approved for commissioning in 2009: Botlek (Netherlands) and Alemoa (Brazil), in total 190,000 cbm
- Barring unforeseen circumstances and taking into account the cost of implementing strategic initiatives, Vopak expects Group operating profit excluding exceptional items to rise by about 20% in 2007 (2006: EUR 220.9 million)
John Paul Broeders, Chairman of the Executive Board of Royal Vopak: “Vopak will make full use of its opportunities for growth as a specialised tank storage company in the current market and convert them into a good result. Demand for storage services continues to be high and this offers attractive opportunities for growth in several parts of the world. I am particularly proud of our people in China who commissioned the new terminal in Zhangjiagang in June. This allows us to offer our customers the excellent service that they expect from Vopak at yet another site within our global network. Vopak continues to search for new opportunities in the growing market for storage services and I am therefore delighted to announce that we will be expanding the Zhangjiagang terminal. Also capacity will be added in Brazil (Alemoa) and the Netherlands (Botlek). The growth strategy, which provides for an increase in the rendering of excellent storage services at locations where our customers have a demand, is taking shape, while the organisation is also working continuously on further improvements in safety, quality and efficiency.”