Norwegian OSV owner GC Rieber Shipping has reduced its second-half loss in a stronger market.

The company said the six-month deficit was NOK 45.49m ($5.74m), down from NOK 195.46m in the same period of 2017.

Revenue was NOK 131m against NOK 88.5m a year ago.

Fleet utilisation continued to improve to 87%, as it won several contracts.

The company has completed a refinancing started in 2016, culminating in a rights issue of NOK 100m combined with certain debt amendments.