South Port lifts profit forecast

South Port has upgraded its profit expectations for the full financial year on the back of continued strong cargo volumes across the wharves of Bluff.

Chief executive Mark O'Connor said total cargo volumes were up 23%, from 1.77 million tonnes last year to 2.17 million tonnes, for each of the first 10 months of the respective financial years.

South Port had forecast after-tax profit in the range of $4.8 million-$5.2 million, but that has been upgraded to $5.6 million-$5.8 million.

Mr O'Connor said the boost to cargo flows was attributable to strong Chinese log demand, higher-than-expected fertiliser application and more stock food imports.

In addition to more containers arriving at the port, production at Rio Tinto's Tiwai Point aluminium smelter had returned to normal levels, he said.

• South Port is scheduled to release its full-year results on August 25.