Sale of the company’s Australian operations last year and subsequent closure of the deal in March played a significant role in the increased figures. DP World booked a gain of $436m from the Australian transaction, lifting profits to $705m, compared with $177m in the same period in 2010. Throughput climbed to 26.2m teu, up 11%.

However, in a conference call chief executive Mohammed Sharaf spoke of “uncertainty” in the global economy, adding that it is now “more challenging to forecast how global trade will develop in the second half of the year”. “The impact,” he said, “of this uncertainty has not, as yet, been reflected in the markets in which we operate.”

The world's third-largest port operator also confirmed that it was not actively seeking buyers for other assets but will consider opportunities if they arise.

Mr Sharaf also indicated that the group is continuing to focus on expansion and singled out Libya as a potential interest now that the Gaddafi regime appears to have been toppled.