Tropical reports loss on lower volumes

   Nicor, Inc., the parent company of Tropical Shipping, said the Caribbean container shipping company had an operating loss of $3.7 million in the third quarter ending Sept. 30 compared to a profit of $3.6 million in the same 2010 period.
   Revenue for Tropical was $78.4 million for the third quarter versus $83.9 million in the same 2010 period.
   The company said lower operating revenues were due to lower volumes shipped–35,600 in the quarter this year compared to 41,500 in the third quarter of 2010. That was partly offset by an increased in revenue per TEU–$2,200 in the third quarter compared to $2,017 in the same 2010 period. Operating expenses were also higher, $82.1 million in the third quarter compared to $80.3 million because of increased fuel prices.