CMA CGM Andromeda

The world's third-largest container shipper, French line CMA-CGM, has returned to profit in the first quarter of 2010 and posted a 30 per cent increase in revenue, Taiwan News reported.

Pre-tax earnings for the company should be around US$380m, after it posted a US$260m loss for the same period a year ago, while revenue rose to US$3.2bn on the back a 22 per cent increase in container volume.

In a statement, deputy CEO Rodolphe Saade said the figures highlighted his company's ability to rebound after a tough period.

CMA-CGM posted a US$1.43bn net loss last year, and a US$124m profit in 2008, and it is hoped the improved figures will aid the firm in talks with creditors over the restructuring of its US$5.6bn debt.