Samudera's gain improves 79%

LOWER charter hire costs and PSA charges have helped Samudera Shipping Line's full-year profit surge 79 per cent to $12.6 million from $7 million in 2001 even as turnover dipped 1.3 per cent to $491.2 million.

Earnings per share swelled to 2.76 cents from 1.54 cents in the previous year and net asset value per share grew to 41.88 cents from 40.54 cents. A final dividend of 0.5 cent per share has been declared.