The deficit compared to a profit of $18.4m in 2013.

Revenue dropped to $130.24m from $172.04m the year before, while the Norgas gas carrier unit posted a pre-tax and interest loss of $8.5m, against a profit of $30.6m.

The fourth quarter group loss was $9.2m, versus positive earnings of $1.7m in 2013.

Net debt was cut to $70.9m from $94.2m, however.

This reduction, plus a couple of sale and leaseback deals, knocked $4m off financial expenses.

The