High fuel costs contributed toward the decline in Bermuda Container Line?s net earnings for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.

Bermuda Container Line Limited earnings for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 fell to $3,439,000, 5.3 percent or $193,000 below earnings in 2004.

?While the net earnings did decline, the full year decline was much lower than that reported for the six-month and nine-month periods due to an excellent fourth quarter,? the directors of Bermuda Container Line said.

While full year revenue did increase marginally for both the BCL and SISL services, expenses, particularly fuel costs, increased at a faster rate.

It is anticipated that the Annual report for 2005 will be issued in early June and the Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday June 27.