The company's adjusted net profit from continuing operations was $333 million through Dec. 31, compared to $621 million in the previous 12-month period, Mohammed Sharaf, the company's chief executive, said here on Wednesday.

Revenues also dropped from $3.28 billion in 2008 to $2.82 billion last year.

The Dubai-based port operator handled 25.6 million twenty-feet equivalent units; down from 27.8 million it handled in 2008.

"We are seeing positive signs of recovery and it is still too early in 2010 to confirm sustainability as the macroeconomic environment and global trade patterns remain unpredictable," he added.

"2009 has been a challenging year for all economies and across all industries," DP World Chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said in a statement. "In an industry such as ours, where the average terminal concession is granted for in excess of 25 years, we must continue to focus on, and invest for the longer term." Dubai World, which is currently preparing its restructuring plan to creditors, rattled world markets late last year by announcing that it was seeking a "standstill" - effectively a delay - in repayment of $26 billion of its $60 billion in debts.

DP World, which operates 49 terminals on six continents, including the Middle East's biggest in Dubai, is not included in the restructuring.

Company officials said DP World wants to move ahead with its plans to list its shares on the London Stock Exchange "as soon as possible," adding that the listing of shares would be done through depository interests in pounds sterling.

Sharaf said the company this year will focus on emerging markets and evaluate opportunities in countries in which it has no presence, including the United States.