Korean shipowner Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) has logged a lower loss in the second quarter as boxship performance improved.

The company said the operating deficit was KRW 128.1bn ($112m), down from KRW 254.3m in 2016.

Containerships cut their loss to KRW 96.2bn from KRW 220bn due to cost-saving efforts, it added.

Overall revenue was KRW 1.24 trillion, up 22%.

Fuel costs increased by 62.2%,