South Port expects its profit to fall in the 2010 year as its customers face continued uncertainty.
The port, in Buff, expects to make $3 million in the 12 months to June 2010, compared with the $4.1 million it made the previous year.
South Port chairman John Harrington says customers are still facing international market volatility which is flowing into the port's activity.
It hopes to gain more shipping business from new projects including Solid Energy and Ravensdown's coal-to-fertiliser plant.