In its first financial report since going public in June, Inmarsat reported increases in both earnings and profits for the first six months of 2005, compared to the same period a year ago.

The company reported revenues of $253.6 million in the first half of 2005, up 4 percent from the $243.5 million reported for the first half of 2004. Profits increased from $19.3 million to $42.8 million throughout the same period.

The maritime sector was the main driver for revenue growth, with Fleet services providing strong growth in revenue, traffic and terminals, Inmarsat said. Increased use of mini- M and Inmarsat-B maritime services also contributed to revenue growth during the six-month period.

Inmarsat’s land sector saw increased usage in the early part of the year following the tsunami in the Indian Ocean in December, though the company noted that it has “more recently seen some reduced activity from government and military users in the Middle East.”

Inmarsat reiterated it is on track to launch its Broadband Global Area Network service by the end of the year.

The company also noted that it intends to declare an interim dividend of $5.47 per ordinary share to shareholders of record as on the close of business Sept. 30.