Germany's Ernst Russ Group (ER Group) intends to become one of shipping's largest listed tonnage providers, according to chief executive Robert Gartner.

The company will use a return to profit this year to fund further investments in shipping.

The Hamburg shipowner reported a consolidated net income of €1.8m ($2.13m) in the first six months, compared with a loss of around €600,000 in the same period last year.