COSCO Pacific Ltd, Asia's third-largest container-terminal operator, reported that first-half profit rose 8.9 percent as China's growing trade boosted sea-cargo shipments.

Net income increased to US$148.5 million, or 6.6 cents a share, from US$136.4 million, or 6.1 cents, a year earlier, the Hong Kong-based company said in a statement yesterday. That was lower than the median forecast of US$154 million in a Bloomberg News survey of three analysts.