News: Asciano foresees stronger growth

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Asciano Limited (ASX:AIO) is expected to have stronger growth in the coming year, because of unexpectedly strong rates of container imports.



Commonwealth Bank figures show national container volumes rose 5.3 per cent in May, compared with the same time last year.



Asciano is forecast to increase its share of the container market by 5 per cent to 50 per cent, after it signed a new contract with its largest customer, Maersk, last month.



Analysts have told the Australian Financial Review that improving container volumes could help Asciano to negotiate a sale of its port operations, which are worth about $2.4 billion.



Asciano’s first half profit increased 19 per cent to $93.9 million in the last six months of 2010.