The New York-listed owner said net profit to 31 December was $64.3m, up from $57.9m in 2012.

Revenue increased to $568.4m, against $512.6m.

The annual profit of $253.1m was also a record high.

CEO Joe Pyne said: “Our inland and coastal tank barge fleets continued to maintain high equipment utilisation levels and favourable pricing trends during the fourth quarter, but our results were somewhat affected by high delay days associated with winter weather conditions.”

The