Taiwan's Evergreen Marine has posted reduced earnings in the first quarter as costs rose.

The container line said net profit to 31 March was TWD 15.87m ($0.53), from TWD 168.9m in 2017.

Revenue was up to TWD 36.84bn versus TWD 33.83bn.

But operating expenses increased more quickly, reaching TWD 35.92bn, against TWD 31.73bn the year before.