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The profit compared to a loss of $93.4 million in the previous corresponding period.
Total revenue fell 4.4% but earnings before tax interest, tax depreciation and amortization increased by 7.9% to $368.2 million.
Asciano chief executive Mark Rowsthorn attributed the earnings performance to strong volume growth in coal haulage operations and the start-up of operations in Queensland to supplement New South Wales volumes.
Asciano plans to continue to push into the Queensland market expecting its market share to double within the next five years.
The company voiced concerns about the Queensland government’s plans to privatise QR by the end of the year.
“Asciano has expressed its serious concerns with the proposed vertically integrated QR structure, including the above-rail operations and the monopoly Queensland coal track,” the company said.
“Asciano is exploring all its options to ensure a level playing field in the future.”
Asciano shares climbed 6.21% at midday today to $1.88.
