China CSSC Holdings Ltd, China's largest shipbuilder, said Saturday it was profitable in the first half as its shipbuilding business grew.

Net profit in the first half rose 4 percent year on year to 1.2 billion yuan ($184 million), the company said in a statement filed with the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Earnings rose to 1.884 yuan per share in the first half from 1.811 yuan in the same period last year.

Declines in ship-repairing revenue were offset by growth in ship-building revenue, the company said.

The company controls 60 sole proprietorship enterprises and shareholding institutions.