Norwegian shipping group Leif Hoegh forecast higher operating profit in 2001, helped by a larger RoRo vehicle transport fleet, after a smaller-than-expected 59 percent jump in the first quarter. "After a slow start to the year for the Ro/Ro and reefer segments, the markets picked up in March, a trend which has continued into the second quarter," the company said. "The operating profit, excluding sales gain or loss, is expected to increase from last year through (the) larger RoRo fleet, the Hoegh Galleon charterparty and the transfer of the liner service," it said. It added that bunker prices, foreign exchange movements and interest rates would all affect the company's results.