Transshipment was up 8% to nine million tonnes and operating revenues increased 3% to EUR 73.8m, which is 2% below plans.

Revenues were impacted by a downturn in the general cargo sector caused by Europe's ailing construction sector, the company said in a report on the website of the Ljubljana Stock Exchange.

Revenues from container cargo were also below expectations. "Following the cancellation of a direct container freight service from the Far East earlier this year, new lines provided by other operators were established between February and May. Nevertheless, thus far these services do not fully compensate for the shortfall in container throughput," the company said.

The group also continued with its deleveraging activities. In the reporting period, Luka Koper cut its total financial liabilities by EUR 10m to 195.7m, or to 80.6% of equity.

Luka Koper CEO Gregor Veselko said the improved results in the second quarter almost made up for the shortfall in the previous quarter, which was impacted by adverse weather conditions. In the second half of 2012, the company will focus on improving cost effectiveness and work process, the company said in a press release.