London shipbroker Braemar Shipping Services has posted a smaller profit for the first six months of its financial year, but said financial performance was improving after a tough end to 2016.

Net earnings to 31 August were £53,000 ($70,000), from £113,000 the year before.

It said shipbroking revenue had been "resilient" and it has maintained a strong forward order book to support full-year performance.