The Immingham coal terminal project remains on budget

Associated British Ports is building a �59.5m coal-handling terminal and a �27.5m roll-on/roll off facility.

"The group's two major projects on the Humber at Immingham are on budget and on schedule to become operational next year," the company said on Tuesday.

A final decision on its plan for a �35m container terminal at Hull was expected from the government by the end of 2005.

The company also said it expected its half-year profits to beat analysts' expectations, thanks largely to property sales.