The ports and rail operator blamed the decision on a recently announced impairment charge, and ''better than expected growth prospects'' forcing it to spend more on capital works. Asciano has been staring at a third straight annual loss since it warned last month of an impending $1.1 billion asset write-down, mostly a one-off charge to goodwill in its Patrick ports businesses. But its explanation for axing the dividend has failed to impress some long-term shareholders who had to weather a near-collapse of the company last year when it was forced to raise $2.35 billion to ease its crippling debts.