German lender Nord/LB cut free EUR 4.7bn ($5.82bn) of shipping loans as it returned to profit in 2017.

The marine book was reduced to EUR 12.1bn, versus EUR 16.8bn 12 months before.

The bank said loan loss provisions were down to EUR 986m, from EUR 2.95bn in 2016, as the shipping crisis left a smaller mark on its accounts.

Net profit was EUR 135m, compared to a EUR 1.95bn